"Eye Microsurgery" Federal State Institution, Kaluga

RETINAL DETACHMENT

The retina allows us to see objects. This membrane receives images and they are then transmitted by the optic eye nerve to the brain.

Retinal detachment refers to separation of the inner layers of the retina from the underlying vascular membrane. In normal position they are firmly attached. It is a serious problem that causes visual loss or blindness. It may be associated with trauma, myopia or diabetic retinopathy, intraocular tumors, retinal degenerations.

Specialists consider retinal tears as the main cause of this problem. The retina don't move if it remains intact and there are no tears. If there is a tear, liquid from the vitreous body passes under the retina and separates it from the vascular membrane.

Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a retinal detachment should see an eye care professional immediately. Early detection greatly increases the chances for successful treatmet and result.

The symptoms of a retinal detachment

shadow or curtain over vision. Patients try without succes to remove it using eye drops. But in this case it is important to tell the eye doctor where this shadow has appeared for the first time, because it can increase it's size.

flashing lights may indicate the retinal detachment

objects distortion or blocking of the part of the vision indicates that detachment touches the center of the retina

Sometimes patients notice that after sleep their eyesight improves. But it can be explained by the fact that the body's horizontal position makes it possible to return the retina to it's place, but in vertical position it separates from the vascular membrane and eye defects reappear.

Retinal detachment can't be treated by eye drops, pills or injections.Reattachment is necessary, retinal detachment can be corrected by surgery.

Remember that retinal detachment requires early surgery because complications can be serious and permanent vision loss may result. Those who had a retinal detachment in one eye should be more attentive because they are likely to have one in the other. It is critical for people to have regular eye exams. Patients should report any of warning signs to their ophtalmologist immediatly.

Treatment of retinal detachment

The surgery can be performed microscopically under general or local anesthesia. The principle of retinal re-attachment surgery is to close all the retinal tears.

Depending on the type of retinal detachment the surgeon will choose treatments for retinal detachment repair or their combinations (vitrectomy to remove the vitreous humor and replace it with an artificial substance - silicone oil, special gas, to push the detached retina back against the eye wall; laser coagulation to repair retinal holes).

The surgery is individual for every patient and depends on several factors including the length of time between the detachment and the surgery, the size and location of the damaged area of the retina.. Even more than one procedure may be necessary.

Prevention of a retinal detachment

Patients with myopia or retinal degeneration should consult their eye care professional regulary. There are some mesures to prevent this desorder. If a retinal break can be discovered before a retinal detachment it can be treated with the laser. If necessary the fibrotic vitreous body may be replaced.