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| WHAT IS THE RETINA? |
The retina is a nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses
light and sends images to the brain. |
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| WHAT IS A RETINAL DETACHMENT? |
The retina is attached to the inner back surface of the eye.
Detachment is the pulling away of the retina from its normal
position. The separation of the retina from the wall of the
eye impairs its normal functioning, resulting in blurred vision.
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| WHAT CAUSES RETINAL
DETACHMENT? |
The vitreous is a clear gel that fills most of the space in
the eye. It is located in front of the retina. With age, the
vitreous pulls away from its attachments to the retina, usually
without causing problems. Sometimes the vitreous pulls hard
enough to tear the retina. Fluid may then pass through the
retinal tear and lift the retina off the wall of the eye. |
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Risk factors for retinal detachment:
Myopia or near-sightedness
Injury to the eye
Previous retinal detachment in the other eye
Family history of retinal detachment
Areas of thin/weak retina
Complicated cataract surgery |
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Warning symptoms of retinal detachment:
Flashes of light
New, or increase in, floaters [black dots in
your vision]
A gray curtain noticed in the field of vision |
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| HOW IS RETINAL DETACHMENT
DIAGNOSED? |
The retina is examined with an instrument called the indirect
ophthalmoscope after dilating the pupil. Holes and tears are
carefully looked for in the periphery of the retina. |
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Treatment
Retinal tears without detachment - Laser photocoagulation
or cryotherapy is performed around the tear to seal the retina
to the back wall of the eye. |
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Retinal tears with retinal detachment - Requires surgery as
soon as possible to put the retina back in its proper position.
The longer the retina stays detached, the less the visual
improvement after surgery. Scleral buckle surgery - A flexible
silicone band is placed around the eye to counter the force
pulling on the retina after removing the fluid under the detached
retina. |
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Vitrectomy - The vitreous gel pulling the retina is removed
from the eye and replaced with a special gas or silicone oil. |
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| Visual recovery |
The more severe the retinal detachment and the longer its
duration, the less is the visual improvement after surgery.
For this reason it is very important to see an ophthalmologist
at the first sign of any trouble. If the condition is left
untreated it results in loss of useful vision. |
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