How to treat retinal detachment?

The retina is one of the sensitive and important areas in the human body as it is responsible for sending visual signals through the optic nerve to the brain, which in turn translates them into the image we see, It may cause complete vision loss if not treated as soon as possible. This disease occurs when the inner lining of the eye (the retina) separates from the wall of the eye (the placenta), which contains blood vessels that provide the eye with oxygen and the necessary nutrients.  

Retinal detachment: symptoms and signs

If you suddenly notice eye spots, floaters, and flashes of light, you may experience warning signs of retinal detachment, your vision may become blurry, or your vision may be impaired. Seeing curtain-like shadows being drawn in front of your field of vision may be a sign of the disease. Another sign is seeing a shadow or curtain coming down from the top of the eye or passing in front of you from the side. These signs can occur gradually as the retina pulls away from the supportive tissues, or they may occur suddenly if the retina detaches immediately.  

Types of retinal detachment

There are 3 different types of retinal detachment:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: It occurs as a result of holes or a gap in the retina, which in turn allows the passage of fluid under the retina and separates it from the placenta as a result of this tear.
• Exudative retinal detachment: This is an inflammatory disorder that causes fluid to build up behind the retina.
• Tractional retinal detachment: It occurs when fibrous tissue forms that stretch the retina, creating holes in it.

 

Symptoms of retinal detachment

Here are the main symptoms that indicate a possible retinal detachment:

• The sudden appearance of black dots, spots, or streaks that float in the field of vision.
• Seeing a large number of floating objects. Some may notice one large black figure floating in the field of view like a fly.
• Sudden short flashes of light lasting no more than one second that appear in front of the affected eye.
• Seeing a dark shadow appearing as a curtain from the outer side of the field of vision in the affected eye.
• Sometimes blurred vision.

 

Causes of retinal detachment

Are you at risk of developing retinal detachment? The answer is yes in the cases below:

• It is more common in people over 50 years old.
• The occurrence of a retinal detachment before in one eye.
• Having a family history.
• Having severe myopia.
• Having previously had eye surgery, such as removing a cataract.
• Previous exposure to disease or inflammation in the other eye.
• Suffering from diabetes, as diabetics are more susceptible to it.

 

Diagnosis of retinal detachment

Your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose retinal detachment:

• A physical examination to measure your vision and ability to distinguish colors.
• Examination of the retina by using an instrument with a bright light and special lenses to examine the back of the eye, including the retina.
• Ultrasound is used if bleeding occurs in the eye, making it difficult to see the retina.
• Checking intraocular pressure and blood flow throughout your eye, particularly in the retina.
• A doctor's test of your retina's ability to send nerve signals to your brain.

 

Treatment of retinal detachment

It is necessary to treat retinal detachment because one of the important consequences of neglecting the treatment of retinal detachment is the irreversible loss of vision due to retinal atrophy or chronic optic inflammation, which makes the entire eye vulnerable to atrophy. Surgical treatment is always the choice in order to repair the tears and holes that cause the detachment of the retina by using a laser or a cold retinal probe to return the retina to its position, as it pushes the back wall of the eye from the outside towards the retina. This is done by hanging strips or parts of silicone or removing the vitreous part and inserting silicone gas or oil into the vitreous cavity. The operation is performed under the influence of local anesthesia and does not require keeping the patient in the hospital.

• Scleral buckle surgery

This is the most common retinal detachment surgery, and it consists of attaching a small strip of silicone or plastic to the outside of the eye (the sclera).

This band (buckle) compresses the eye inward, reducing the drag on the retina, thus allowing the retina to reconnect with the inner wall of the eye.

The scleral clip is attached to the back of the eye and is not visible after surgery, Scleral clip surgery is often combined with one of the following procedures to fuse the retina into its supporting tissue (called the retinal pigment epithelium, or RPE).

• Vitrectomy

In this procedure, gel-like fluid is removed from the back chamber of the eye (the vitreous) and replaced with clear silicone oil to push the detached portion of the retina into the retinal pigment epithelium.

• Antenna retinal fixation

In this procedure, the surgeon injects a small bubble of gas into the vitreous to push the detached portion of the retina into the retinal pigment epithelium.

If the detachment is due to a retinal tear, the surgeon usually uses a laser or cryoprobe to "spot" the retina firmly against the retinal pigment epithelium and underlying tissue, thus completely sealing the tear.

If a laser is used, this is called laser photocoagulation; Use of a freezing probe is called, Surgical reattachment of the retina is not always successful, The odds of success depend on the location, cause, and extent of the retinal detachment, among other factors.

Also, successful reattachment of the retina does not guarantee normal vision. In general, visual outcomes are better after surgery if the detachment is limited to the peripheral retina and the macula is not affected.

 

Magrabi’s advice

Retinal detachment is a serious condition that may lead to complete vision loss if it is not treated immediately, so we advise you to go to the doctor for treatment.