Understanding Retinal Detachment: Symptoms, Treatment, and Urgency
Understanding Retinal Detachment: Symptoms, Treatment, and Urgency
Some medical conditions require immediate treatment; one of the most urgent is a detached retina. In this condition, the thin layer of photosensitive tissue at the back of the eye becomes pulled out of place. This typically occurs when the vitreous gel, a thick liquid filling the eye, begins to shrink and detach from the retina. If left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to permanent blindness. Understanding this condition, recognizing its warning signs, and knowing how it affects the retina can save your vision.
Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Retinal Detachment
A retinal detachment is painless; however, it often comes with additional symptoms that can increase in severity before the detachment occurs. Signs of retinal detachment include:
- The sudden appearance of floaters– specks or squiggly lines that drift across your field of vision.
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes.
- Blurry vision.
- A decline in peripheral vision.
- A curtain-like shadow that obscures part of your field of vision.
Some patients may experience a small retinal tear before a complete detachment occurs. Retinal tears often happen as a result of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), when the vitreous fluid in the eye diminishes and loses its viscosity, becoming more fluid-like over time. When this sticky vitreous becomes attached to the retina, it can start to pull on it, causing a tear to form and increasing the risk of retinal detachment.
Diagnosing and Treating Retinal Detachment
Diagnosing a retinal detachment involves several steps. First, patients will typically undergo a retinal exam, and if there is any bleeding in the eye, ultrasound imaging may be performed. The physician will examine both eyes, even if symptoms are only present in one. If no detachment is found, a follow-up appointment will usually be scheduled to monitor for any delayed detachment.
Surgery is typically the treatment used to repair retinal tears, holes, or detachments. Various techniques include:
- Pneumatic retinopexy: A surgeon injects a small air bubble into the eye to reposition the retina. They may also use laser surgery or cryotherapy to repair it.
- Scleral buckle: The scleral buckle procedure involves placing a small silicone sponge around the sclera (the white part of the eye) to secure the retina in its proper position. This outpatient procedure helps push the retina back in place and is typically performed in an operating room.
- Vitrectomy: In this procedure, a retina surgeon removes the vitreous gel from inside the eye and replaces it with saline, silicone oil, or a gas bubble to better access and repair a damaged retina.
Preserving Your Vision Post-Treatment
It can take months after treatment for vision to recover, and some patients may never regain their lost vision. Steps to recover include:
- Getting adequate rest.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Steering clear of high altitudes.
- Waiting for the doctor’s approval before increasing activity levels.
- Scheduling follow-up visits.
- Adhering to one’s personalized treatment plan.
Learn More About Retinal Detachment
It’s important to schedule regular exams with a retina specialist, as they can identify warning signs of retinal tears or detachments and offer treatment to protect and preserve your vision. If you notice any symptoms of a retinal detachment, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
At Palmetto Retina Center, our retina specialists can effectively diagnose and treat conditions like retinal detachment in patients throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Florence, and Aiken. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.