WHAT IS RETINAL DETACHMENT?
Retinal Detachment is a serious eye condition which happens to your retina when the layer of the tissue which are sensitive to the light at the back of the eye which sends visual message through the optic nerve to the brain is lifted or pulled off from its normal position which can cause permanent loss of eyesight if not treated promptly and in the right way.
Types of Retinal Detachment
1. Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment : It is the most common type of Retinal Detachment which takes place slowly over a period of time. It leads to a hole, tear or a breakage in the retina which allows the vitreous fluid i.e the fluid which is in the middle of the eye gets under the retina which separates it from the Retinal Pigment Epithelium ( RPE ) which is the layer that nourishes the Retina
2.Tractional Retinal Detachment : It happens with the scar tissue or other tissues which then may further lead on the retina and stretch or pull it away from the Retinal Pigment Epithelium ( RPE ) i.e the layer underneath. This type of Retinal Detachment is less common but can lead to severe loss of eyesight as happens in diabetic patients.
3.Exudative Retinal Detachment : Which is also known as Serious Retinal Detachment happens when the fluid is collected without any tear, hole or breakage in the retina. This is a rare type of Retinal Detachment and is caused due to various reasons like:
- Inflammatory Diseases
- High Blood Pressure
- Kidney Diseases
- Lyme Disease
- Eye Tumour
What are the symptoms of Retinal Detachment?
Retinal Detachment can take place without any warning of its occurrence as it does not hurt at all, but you may seek a doctor if you see the following signs:
- Darkening of your side vision i.e the peripheral vision
- Flashes of light
- Seeing a lot of new flecks or thread or floaters.
- Blurred Vision
- Sensitivity towards the light
- Tunnel Vision
- Blurred Vision
- Loss of Vision
- Red Eyes
The above list covers all the set of signs which may indicate you to visit a doctor on immediate basis
Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment :
The doctor may ask you if you are facing the above-mentioned signs and symptoms. Retinal Detachment can be Diagnosed with an Eye Examination. The doctor will put in some eye drops which will dilate the pupil i.e it will widen your eye pupil and will use tools through which the doctor can check if there is an occurrence of Retinal Detachment. Retinal Detachment if diagnosed at an early stage can prevent loss of eyesight.
How can Retinal Detachment be treated?
Depending on the severity and type of Retinal Detachment, the doctor may provide you options for treatment which are listed as follows:
1. Laser ( Thermal ) treatment or Frozen Treatment (Also known as Cryopexy ) :
The Doctor may recommend laser or freezing treatment in a case of small holes or tears Both these procedures can be done at the doctor’s clinic. Laser Treatment/Surgery is done by creating burns around the hole to weld the retina back to its place and the Freezing Cryopexy treatment will freeze the area around the hole or tear and help reattach the retina.
2. Pneumatic retinopexy :
Pneumatic Retinopexy is used to fix small tear and holes which are easy to close by injecting small gas bubbles into the vitreous cavity and then entailing induction of chorioretinal adhesion in and around all the retinal breaks with the laser, cryopexy or both. It is a non-incisional procedure which can be done at the doctor’s clinic/office
3. Scleral buckle :
This is a surgical procedure in which the patient may have to stay in the hospital. In this procedure, the doctor will sew a silicone band also known as buckle around the sclera. This pushes it towards the tear until it is healed. The Scleral buckle/band is invisible and permanently attached in the eye
4. Vitrectomy : Vitrectomy is a surgical procedures which are used to cure severe and large tears of the sclera by replacing the vitreous with a saline solution.The doctor may use all the above procedures depending upon the severity and size of the Retinal Detachment.