| A retinal detachment
is a separation of the retina
from the back wall of the eye. When there is a tear
of the retina, liquid from the vitreous may pass through
the tear, and detach the retina.
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| Cause |
| |
| Retinal detachment
is caused by a combination of factors including retinal
holes, retinal breaks or retinal tears, liquefaction
of the vitreous humor,
and mechanical forces on the retina, often referred
to as "traction".
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| Symptoms |
| |
| Most people notice floaters
and flashes before the retina detaches. As the detachment
occurs, a gradually enlarging dark area may be seen.
Some people have compared this to a curtain coming down,
or a shade being drawn in front of the eye. The dark
area may begin in any part of the field of vision. If
the dark area reaches the center of the field of vision,
the eye will not be able to see fine detail. |
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| Treatment |
| |
| Vitrectomy
(removal of the vitreous humor), scleral buckles, gas
bubbles, silicone oil, lasers, cryo (freezing), temporary
balloons, and diathermy (thermal energy created by radio
waves) can all be used to repair retinal
detachments. These treatments are often used in
combination. Typical combinations are: |
| |
| Vitrectomy, gas, and laser
to repair retinal detachments that occur after cataract
surgery and other moderately complex detachments |
| |
| Gas followed by laser (pneumatic
retinopexy) for less complex retinal detachments |
| |
| Scleral
buckling and cryo (freezing) with drainage of the
fluid under the retina for less extensive to moderately
difficult retinal detachments |
| |
| Vitrectomy, membrane peeling,
laser, and silicone oil for difficult retinal detachments
and recurrent detachments. |
