Retinal Detachment
Retinal Detachment
Your vision is one of your most valuable assets, connecting you to the people and world around you. When serious conditions like retinal detachment threaten your eyesight, swift diagnosis and treatment by an experienced ophthalmologist are essential. Retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated, but with the right care, outcomes can be significantly improved.
At Focus Eye, Dr. Neelofar Ghaznawi and our team proudly serve patients throughout Long Island and Queens, offering advanced care and personalized treatment plans for a full range of retinal diseases and conditions, including diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. Read on to learn more about retinal detachment, its causes, symptoms, and the steps you can take to safeguard your sight.
What is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that occurs when the retina, the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, pulls away from its supportive structures. This separation cuts the retina off from its essential blood supply, depriving it of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. Though painless, retinal detachment can significantly impair vision and, if left untreated, may result in permanent vision loss. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking immediate care is critical to
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preserving eyesight.
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from the back of the eye, disrupting its blood and oxygen supply. This serious condition can arise from various underlying causes, which often differ depending on the type of detachment.
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: The most common type, this occurs when a tear in the retina allows the vitreous gel inside the eye to seep behind it. As the vitreous naturally shrinks with age, it can tug on the retina, leading to tears and detachment.
Traction Retinal Detachment: Scar tissue inside the eye, often due to diabetes or previous eye injuries, can pull on the retina, causing it to detach.
Exudative Retinal Detachment: This type involves fluid buildup behind the retina without a tear. Conditions like inflammation, macular degeneration, or leaking blood vessels can cause this fluid accumulation, pushing the retina
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out of place.
Understanding the causes can help patients and their doctors take preventive steps or detect detachment early when treatment is most effective.
Symptoms of Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is usually painless, but its symptoms can appear suddenly or progress gradually. Early detection is critical, as untreated detachment can lead to permanent vision loss. Common symptoms include:
- An increase in floaters: Seeing small dark spots or lines that drift across your vision.
- Flashes of light: Bright, sudden flashes in one or both eyes.
- Shadows or darkening vision: A “curtain” effect or shadow spreading across your peripheral or central vision.
- Blurred or wavy vision: Changes that distort or
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darken what you see.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek immediate care. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment can protect your vision.
How is Retinal Detachment Diagnosed?
Diagnosing retinal detachment involves a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist to assess the retina and identify any tears, holes, or areas of separation. This process typically includes:
- Dilated Eye Exam: Your doctor will use specialized drops to widen your pupils, allowing them to closely examine the retina and detect signs of detachment or related conditions like a macular hole or diabetic retinopathy.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This imaging test provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, helping to identify structural changes and any fluid buildup beneath it.
- Ultrasound Imaging: If your vision is obscured by bleeding or other factors, an ultrasound can provide clear images of the retina to confirm a detachment.
Early diagnosing is essential to prevent further damage and protect your vision. If retinal detachment is suspected, prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications like permanent vision loss.
Treatment of Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss. Treatment typically involves surgery to repair the detachment and reattach the retina. The specific procedure recommended will depend on the severity and type of detachment. Common treatments include:
Most retinal detachment surgeries are highly effective, with a success rate of
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approximately 90%.
However, some cases may require additional treatments. Early diagnosing and prompt intervention are key to achieving the best outcomes for your vision.
- Laser Surgery (Photocoagulation): A specialized laser treatment seals small tears in the retina, preventing further detachment.
- Cryopexy: A freezing probe is used to secure the retina back in place by creating scar tissue around the tear.
- Pneumatic Retinopexy: A gas bubble is injected into the eye, pressing the retina against the back of the eye while it heals. This often requires patients to maintain a specific head position for several days.
- Scleral Buckle: A silicone band is placed around the eye to relieve pressure on the retina, helping it to reattach.
- Vitrectomy: The vitreous gel is removed and replaced with a gas bubble or silicone oil, allowing the retina to heal in place. This treatment may also address complications such as macular hole.
FAQs About Retinal Detachment
While retinal detachment can occur without warning, certain factors increase the likelihood of developing this serious condition. People with the following risk factors should be especially vigilant about their eye health:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Glaucoma or other eye conditions
- Previous eye surgeries, including cataract removal
- Significant trauma or injury to the eye
- A personal or family history of retinal detachment or related diseases
- Retinal thinning or weakness detected during an
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eye exam
Regular eye exams and early detection are key to identifying and managing risk factors before complications arise.
While some causes of retinal detachment, such as aging or genetic predisposition, cannot be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Protect Your Eyes: Wear safety goggles or protective eyewear when playing sports or engaging in activities that could lead to eye injuries.
- Regular Eye Exams: Comprehensive eye exams, including dilated eye exams, can detect early signs of retinal tears or thinning, allowing for prompt treatment before detachment occurs.
- Manage Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase the risk of certain types of retinal detachment. Maintaining good overall health through balanced nutrition, exercise, and chronic condition management can help.
- Act Quickly: If you notice symptoms of retinal detachment, such as flashes, floaters, or shadows in your vision, seek immediate medical care to prevent further complications.
Although retinal detachment isn’t always preventable, these proactive measures can help protect your vision and reduce the likelihood of severe complications.
Early treatment of retinal detachment can prevent it from resulting in severe visual impairments and potential blindness in the affected eye. Therefore, it is best to consult with an ophthalmologist as soon as warning signs of a retinal detachment first appear.
A retinal detachment cannot heal on its own and requires prompt medical attention. When the retina separates from the underlying choroid layer, its blood supply is disrupted, depriving retinal cells of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to the progressive death of retinal cells.
The longer a retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater the risk of severe and permanent vision loss. Over time, untreated detachment can result in significant visual impairment and, ultimately, blindness. Early diagnosing and timely treatment are critical to preserving your vision and preventing irreversible damage.
Contact Us
shadows in your vision, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and prompt care can make all the difference in preserving your sight.
Dr. Neelofar Ghaznawi and the team at Focus Eye are here to provide expert care for patients across Long Island and Queens. Contact us right away to schedule an urgent consultation and take the first step toward protecting your vision.
The doctors at Focus Eye Care & Surgery have reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated:
1 Mayo Clinic. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-20351344. Accessed February 7, 2025.
2 Cleveland Clinic. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10705-retinal-detachment. Accessed February 7, 2025.
3 National Eye Institute. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Accessed February 7, 2025.
4 National Eye Institute. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Accessed January 9, 2025.
5 The American Society of Retina Specialists. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/6/retinal-detachment Accessed February 7, 2025.