Retinal detachment: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is an eye disorder that occurs when the retina (the clear membrane behind the eye) detaches from the back of the eye. Some people also refer to this eye disorder as retinal detachment.

When the retina detaches, the eye cells can become deprived of oxygen. Detachment of the retina from the structure of the eye causes partial or total loss of vision, depending on how much part of the retina is detached.

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Tell your doctor right away if you experience sudden vision changes. This condition can carry the risk of permanent vision loss if it is too late or not treated.

How common is this condition?

Retinal detachment affects 0.6-1.8 people per 10,000 people per year, or about 0.3 percent. The condition most commonly occurs in your 60s or 70s. Men are more often affected by this eye disorder than women.

However, the condition can be treated by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms of retinal detachment

This eye irritation does not cause pain. However, there are signs that usually appear before the retina detaches. The symptoms of a retinal detachment are:

• Blurred vision
• Partial loss of vision
• The eyes look blurry as if they were closed by a curtain
• The sudden flash of light that appeared when he looked to the side
• Dark areas in the field of vision
• See a lot floaters

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from getting worse while also avoiding other medical emergencies. Immediately consult a doctor.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes of retinal detachment

Based on the cause, there are 3 types of retinal detachment, namely:

1. Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Rhegmatogenous a retinal detachment means that you have a tear or hole in the retina. This causes fluid from inside the eye to escape through the opening and into the back of the retina.

Fluid separates the retina from the membranes that provide nutrients and oxygen. The pressure from the fluid can push the retina away from it retinal pigment epithelium thus causing detachment of the retina. This is the most common type of retinal detachment.

2. Traction retinal detachment (Traction Retinal Detachment)

Traction retinal detachment occurs when the scar tissue on the surface of the retina contracts and causes the retina to be pulled from the back of the eye. This condition is less common. Usually experienced by people with diabetes.

Diabetes can cause problems with the vascular system of the retina and cause scar tissue in the eye which results in detachment of the retina.

3. Exudative release (exudative detachment)

In exudative retinal detachment, the retina is not torn. Retinal diseases such as inflammatory disorders or Coats' disease, which causes abnormal development of the blood vessels behind the retina, causing this type of retinal detachment.

Risk factors

People who have severe nearsightedness (minus score of 8 or more) are at higher risk for retinal detachment. This is due to the increased extension of the eyeball to the front of the eyeball which forcibly depletes the periphery of the retina.

This thinning of the retina layer over time can cause the retina to tear so that the vitreous (fluid in the middle of the eyeball) will seep into the gap between the retina and the layer behind it. This fluid then builds up and causes the entire retina to detach from its base.

The risk of retinal detachment in severe nearsightedness can be 15-200 times higher than in people with normal vision.

In addition, several trigger factors that put you at risk for retinal detachment include:

• Elderly
• Have had a previous retinal detachment in one eye
• Family history of retinal detachment
• Previous eye surgery, such as cataract removal
• Previous serious eye injury
• Other previous eye diseases or irritations

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you have this condition, a physical exam and several tests will be recommended. The doctor can also test the retina's ability to send impulses / stimuli to the brain. The doctor can see the blood flow through the eye and especially the retina.

Your doctor may also order an ultrasound of your eye, which is a painless test that uses sound waves to produce images of the eye.

How to treat retinal detachment?

In many cases, surgery is the best medicine for repairing a detached retina. Usually, before you actually have a retinal detachment, the retina will first tear.

That is why, treatment for retinal detachment is usually divided into 2, namely when it is still in the stage of retinal tears and retinal detachment has actually occurred.

The following is the description of each.

How to treat retinal tears

A torn retina can usually be treated with a simple, non-surgical procedure (done in the doctor's examination room). The goal of treatment is to prevent the retina from completely detaching.

The following are some ways to prevent the tear from becoming a retinal detachment and maintain vision:

1. Photocoagulation

In this procedure, the surgeon directs a laser beam into the eye through the pupil. The laser creates a burn around the retinal tear and creates scar tissue that "welds" the retina to the underlying tissue.

2. Cryopexy

Another option is cryopexy , or intense cold. For this treatment, the doctor will freeze the torn area so that the resulting wound can keep the retina in place. Before doing this procedure, the doctor will anesthetize your eye.

Both of the above procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Even so, you are advised to avoid activities that might irritate the eyes, for several weeks.

How to treat retinal detachment

If your retina is detached, surgery is the best way. The types of surgery your doctor recommends will depend on several factors, including how severe the discharge is.

The types of retinal detachment surgery are:

1. Pneumatic retinopexy (Pneumatic retinopexy)

In this procedure, the doctor will inject an air bubble or gas into the center of the eye (vitreous cavity). This process pushes the retina into place, so that it can heal properly. Doctors may also use cryopexy during this procedure to repair a torn retina.

Quoted from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, after that you need to keep your head in a specific position recommended by the doctor. This process keeps the bubbles in the right location.

After your eye heals, your body will automatically make fluid that fills your eye. Over time, this fluid replaces the gas bubbles that the doctor injects during the procedure pneumatic retinopexy.

2. Vitrectomy

In this procedure, the doctor removes the vitreous along with the tissue that is pulling the retina. Air, gas, or silicone oil is then injected into the vitreous space to help flatten the retina.

The gas or liquid will then be absorbed and the vitreous space will be filled again with body fluids. If silicone oil is used in this procedure, you will undergo surgery to remove the silicone oil, a few months later.

3.Scleral buckle (scleral buckle)

In this procedure, the doctor will sew a piece of silicone material to the white part of your eye (sclera) over the affected area. This procedure is performed by gently pressing the eye inward to help the retinal detachment heal from the eye wall.

If you have multiple tears or holes in the retina, scleral the doctor's order will surround your entire eye like a belt.

However, this "belt" will not block your vision. Usually, scleral buckle permanently installed.

The risks of retinal detachment surgery

All of the operations mentioned above have risks. However, if the retinal detachment is not operated on, you can lose your vision. The following are the risks that may occur due to retinal detachment surgery:

• Eye infection
• Bleeding into the eye
• Increased pressure inside the eye which can lead to glaucoma
• Cataract
• Requires a second operation
• The retina does not fit back in properly
• It is possible that the retina has detached again

Your eyesight will begin to improve about four weeks after surgery. How much improvement your eyesight will be after surgery depends on the damage you are experiencing.

Even if you have risks, discuss with your doctor what benefits you might get.

Prevention

What can I do to prevent and treat retinal detachment?

Some lifestyle changes in an effort to treat and even prevent retinal detachment are:

• Wearing protective goggles while playing sports or using face protection equipment.
• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar and visit your doctor regularly.
• Get annual eye exams, especially if you are at risk of retinal detachment.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.