- Detached retina, very simply, is when the retina brakes away from its normal position against the back of the eye.
- The retina is a delicate sheet of tissues laying snugly against the back wall of the eye. It functions much like the film in a camera transforming light into a “picture” which in the case of the eye, is transmitted through the optic nerve and “developed” in the brain.
- Once the retina is detached, it no longer functions properly in transmitting “pictures” to the brain. The blindness or blind spots caused by the detachment are permanent unless the retina is promptly put back in place. Retinal detachments are often preceded by holes or tears in the retina, which can occur for no reason. The vitreous, a gel-like substance filling the interior of the eye, will seep under the retina and cause the detachment.
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It is painless.
Graphic of normal eye Photo of normal patient eye 
Graphic of Retinal Detachment Patient diagnosed at SEC with A Superior Retinal Detachment. Notice color change between 9 and 3 o'clock
WARNING SIGNS
If you are experiencing any of the following below, you should call our office immediately, and be seen on an emergency basis. You will need to have your eyes dilated.
- Light flashes inside your eye.
- Sudden showers of black dots or “floaters” in your vision that have not been there previously.
- Persistent “shadows” or “veils” or distortion in your field of vision. These will eventually increase as the problems more serious.
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| Dr. Streiff performing a dilated retinal |
CAUSES
- Trauma or blows to the eyes, head or severe eye injury can cause retinal holes, tears, or a detached retina.
- In diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or neovascular macular degeneration, abnormal and bleeding blood vessels can pull the retina out of place. Degenerative changes in the retina due to age and hereditary thinning of the retina can also cause detachments.
- Retinal detachments occur as a result of age more often in men than in women. Very nearsighted people are more susceptible to detachments.
- Detached retina, however, can occur in either sex of any age in apparently normal eyes so regular eye examinations are important.
TREATMENT
Treatment is done on a referral basis to a RETINAL SPECIALIST
- Retinal holes and tears can be treated and corrected with laser if detected early. More serious (large) detachments must be treated surgically. Treatment can include the use of lasers, xenon arcs, photocoagulation, diathermy and cryosurgery (the use of extreme cold).
- Surgery is more involved when the retina is detached because the retina must be reattached to the underlying tissues in addition to repairing the tear. The surgery may also include draining the fluid separating the retinal layers. In some cases, the tissues of the outer wall of the eye are brought in to meet the displaced retina by the use of a scleral buckle.
- Eyes should be examined three and six months after any severe blows to the eyes or head to make sure any tears, holes or detachments have not begun to develop.
- Statistically a retinal detachment in one eye increases the risk of a retinal detachment occurring in the second eye. Therefore, regular examinations are important in preventive eye care.
