Retinal Detachment
A critical scenario known as retinal detachment occurs when the thin tissue layer, the retina, situated at the rear of the eye, detaches from its usual placement.
This detachment leads to the separation of retinal cells from the layer of blood vessels responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the eye. Prolonged lack of treatment for retinal detachment heightens the risk of permanent vision impairment in the affected eye.
Warning indicators of retinal detachment may encompass a combination of the following: diminished vision and the sudden appearance of floaters (spots or specks in your vision) along with flashes of light. Seeking immediate assistance from an eye specialist, often an ophthalmologist, is crucial to preserve your vision.
Symptoms
Before a retinal detachment happens, warning signs often show up. These signs include:
- Suddenly seeing many floaters, which are tiny specks drifting through your vision
- Experiencing flashes of light in one or both eyes (photopsia)
- Blurry vision
- Gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision
- Noticing a curtain-like shadow over your field of vision
Causes
Retinal detachment comes in three primary types:
- Rhegmatogenous: This form is the most prevalent. It occurs due to a hole or tear in the retina, enabling fluid passage beneath it. As this fluid accumulates, it separates the retina from the underlying tissues, leading to areas of the detached retina losing their blood supply and causing vision loss.
Aging is the leading cause of rhegmatogenous detachment. The vitreous, a gel-like substance within the eye, can change consistency with age, sometimes becoming more liquid. Normally, the vitreous separates from the retina’s surface without issues (known as posterior vitreous detachment). However, complications such as a tear can arise during this separation. If left untreated, the liquid vitreous can pass through the tear, causing retinal detachment.
- Tractional: Scar tissue growth on the retina’s surface can trigger this detachment, pulling the retina away from the eye’s rear. It’s often observed in individuals with poorly managed diabetes or other specific health conditions.
- Exudative: Here, fluid accumulates beneath the retina without any associated holes or tears. Age-related macular degeneration, eye injuries, tumors, or inflammatory disorders can lead to this type of detachment.
Risk Factors
Certain factors can heighten the likelihood of experiencing retinal detachment:
- Aging: More prevalent among individuals aged 50 and above.
- History of retinal detachment in one eye previously.
- Family history showing instances of retinal detachment.
- Severe nearsightedness (myopia).
- Past eye surgeries, like cataract removal.
- Severe past eye injuries.
- History of other eye diseases or disorders, including retinoschisis, uveitis, or peripheral retina thinning (lattice degeneration).
If you notice any signs or symptoms of retinal detachment, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Retinal detachment constitutes a medical emergency and delaying treatment could result in permanent vision loss.