Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the delicate layer of nerves at the back of the eye (the retina) begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen. A detached retina usually requires emergency surgery as it can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

Retinas become detached due to one or more tears, allowing fluid to pass beneath them, separating them from the supporting tissues and depriving them of nutrition. Small blood vessels can also bleed into the vitreous humour (the jelly-like substance that fills the eye), leading to increased blurred vision.

Although retinal detachment is painless, there are several visual symptoms that should alert you to the problem before it progresses.

Warning signs of retinal detachment include the appearance of floaters, which are shapes ranging from small dots to irregularly shaped threads that float in the field of vision. In addition to floaters, there may be blurred vision, flashes of light in one or both eyes, and a gradual reduction in peripheral vision.

Seek immediate medical help within 24-48 hours if you experience these symptoms.

Most retinal detachments are associated with or caused by the normal aging process of the eye, known as posterior vitreous detachment, which unfortunately cannot be prevented.

While anyone can develop a detached retina at any time, certain individuals are at a higher risk, such as myopes, individuals who have undergone cataract surgery, and those who have recently experienced a direct and severe eye injury.

Treating a retinal detachment typically involves surgery, often using laser techniques to reattach the retina by replacing the gel in the eye with a gas bubble to push the retina back or by applying a small band over the eye to push the retina closer to the eye wall. The tears in the retina that caused the detachment can be sealed through cryotherapy or laser treatments.