Retinal Detachment

Retinal Detachment is a medical condition involving the separation of the retina from its attachments to the underlying tissue within the eye. This condition is often associated with severe vision loss or blindness if left untreated.

Causes

Retinal detachment can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, aging, tumors, and certain eye diseases. It can also occur as a complication of cataract surgery or other eye surgeries.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of retinal detachment include sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters, which are little "cobwebs" or specks that float about in your field of vision, and light flashes in the eye. Another symptom is the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a retinal detachment should see an eye care professional immediately.

Diagnosis

Retinal detachment is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Testing, with special emphasis on evaluation of the retina and vitreous, may include the following procedures: patient history, visual acuity measurements, refraction, intraocular pressure measurements, slit lamp examination, and indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment of retinal detachment involves surgery, laser treatment, or freezing (cryopexy), which are used to reattach the retina to the back of the eye. These treatments can preserve vision and sometimes restore lost vision.

Prognosis

With modern therapy, over 90 percent of those with a retinal detachment can be successfully treated, although sometimes a second treatment is needed. However, the visual outcome is not always predictable. The final visual result may not be known for up to several months following surgery. Even under the best of circumstances, and even after multiple attempts at repair, treatment sometimes fails and vision may eventually be lost.

Retinal Detachment Resources
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