Retinal Detachment
What is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina of the eye is pulled away from the underlying tissue to which it is attached. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. In most cases, the detachment is a slowly progressing issue which must be treated once symptoms are realized. In some cases, a detachment occurs due to a trauma which causes a tear in the retina, allowing fluid to enter the vitreous and pull on the retinal tissue.
What Causes Retinal Detachment?
- Nearsightedness
- A retinal tear
- Family history of retinal detachment
- Glaucoma
- Cataract surgery
- Trauma
- Existing eye condition
Symptoms of a Retinal Detachment
- A sudden decrease in visual acuity
- A sudden increase of “floaters” in vision
- Bright flashes in the periphery
- An unnatural “curving” of straight lines
- Loss of central vision
- A dense shadow throughout the visual field
The patient should be taken to an emergency room as quickly as possible.
How is Retinal Detachment diagnosed?
- Dilated eye examination
- Ultrasound of the eye
- Fundus photography of the retina
- Visual acuity test
- Slit-lamp examination
- Electroretinogram
- Fluorescein angiography
- Ophthalmoscopy
How is Retinal Detachment treated?
A retinal detachment may be treated in many ways, which may include one or both of the following:
- Cryotherapy
- Laser photocoagulation
- Pneumatic retinopexy
- Scleral buckle
- Vitrectomy
Additional Resources about Retinal Detachment
- U.S. National Library of Medicine
- WebMD
Vistarr Laser & Vision Centers treat patients with retinal detachment in West Chester, Paoli, and Kennett Square, PA. Contact (610) 692-8100 or fill out a Contact Form here for any questions or to schedule an appointment.
