Our eyes are an integral part of our body, the sense that allows us to see and perceive the world around us. This amazing process occurs when the optic nerve creates an image through the cornea and displays it on the retina (a layer of light-sensitive tissue that acts like a screen). Retinal detachment is a medical condition in which the retina separates from the surrounding tissue.
What types of retinal detachment exist?
There are three types of retinal detachment:
- Rhegmatogenous: the most common type, in which the retina detaches from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to fluid falling beneath it after a retinal tear.
- Tractional: a rare but serious type, in which the cracked retina detaches from the RPE due to contraction of the scar tissue on its surface.
- Exudative: This type occurs without holes, tears, or breaks in the retina, and is caused by a leakage of fluid into the area beneath it (usually due to inflammation, injury, or vascular abnormalities).
What are the causes of retinal detachment?
These are some of the common risk factors for retinal detachment:
- Extreme myopia.
- Family history of retinal detachment.
- Previous retinal detachment in one eye.
- Stress factors and lifestyle factors such as smoking.
- Retinal tears caused by injuries to the eyes or head.
- Complications after eye surgery, e.g. cataract surgery.
- Tumors, degenerative myopia, reticular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye disorders.
- Other diseases and medical conditions such as diabetes, AIDS, sickle cell anemia, etc.
Who is at risk of retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment caused by injury or underlying medical conditions can occur at virtually any age, but it is most likely to happen after age 40. Nearly half of all people who experience retinal tears will likely eventually develop a detached retina, putting athletes at high risk. Men are more prone to retinal detachment than women, and research shows that Caucasians are at higher risk than African Americans.
How can you tell if you have a detached retina?
There is no pain associated with retinal tears, but in the early stages, there are certain signs that can help detect retinal detachment. These include:
- The eyes become heavy and sleepy.
- Blurred or poor vision, a thin layer or "shadow" that makes it difficult to see.
- A dark "curtain" that approaches the center of your vision from one side (peripheral vision).
- Fisheye view for linear objects such as roads, trees, buildings, etc.
- Sudden flashes of light or "floating" in vision.
What is the treatment for retinal detachment?
This is a curable condition if the retinal tears can be closed or resealed. One of our leading ophthalmologists can use fundus photography or ophthalmoscopy to diagnose and perform various surgical procedures for its treatment. These include:
- Scleral buckling: This involves attaching small silicone or plastic bands to the outer part of the eye, the sclera. The band compresses the eye inward, minimizing traction on the retina and eventually allowing it to reattach to the inner wall of the eye.
- Pneumatic retinopexy: In this surgical procedure, a small gas bubble is injected into the vitreous humor, the gel-like substance between the lens and the retina. This bubble causes the vitreous humor to expand and press against the retina, effectively closing the tear.
- Vitrectomy: In this treatment, silicone oil is used to replace the clear, gelatinous fluid of the vitreous body and push the detached part of the retina into the correct position.
- Laser surgery: In this procedure, a laser beam is used to burn the area around the tear and create scarring in the underlying retinal tissue.
In addition to the above procedures, cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation can be used to prevent the detachment from spreading.
How can retinal detachment be prevented?
To prevent retinal detachment, it is essential that you visit our center in Santa Cruz de Tenerife promptly at the first sign of symptoms. Schedule a regular eye exam every year and consult our specialist if you suspect you have a retinal tear. Additionally, wear protective eyewear when playing sports, driving, working with chemicals, operating machinery or tools, etc.
Vision loss caused by retinal detachment can be prevented or reversed with early treatment if the retinal tear is repaired before detachment occurs. This condition is considered a medical emergency that can severely affect your vision or even lead to blindness if left untreated, so if you experience these symptoms, contact us to ensure your eye health.
