Facts that you need to know about retinal detachment

Retinal detachment refers to a condition where the retina, which is a layer of tissue, is pulled away or lifted from the normal position inside the eye.

The retina serves the role of wallpaper that is sensitive to light in the eye; hence it is a lining on the eye wall. In addition, it also sends visual signals to the brain. When not treated immediately, retinal detachment can result in permanent loss of vision. Parts of the retina may also tear, a condition that is referred to as retinal tears, paving way for retinal detachment.

Causes of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment may occur due to a number of factors that include the following:

Traction on the retina - When there is a buildup of tissue between the retina and the vitreous gel; the retina can be pulled from the back of the eye. This problem is particularly caused by proliferative diabetic retinoplasty, a condition that results in the growth of scar tissue which eventually pulls the retina.
Holes or tears in the retina – Retinal tears are caused by posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). The result of this is accumulation of fluid from the vitreous under the retina, causing the retina to detach itself from its position. The tears may also be caused by head or eye injury or other eye disorders like lattice degeneration.
Fluid accumulation under the retina – A buildup of fluid under the retina may cause it to move from its initial position. Fluid buildup may be caused by disease affecting the retina or an inflammation.

Other causes of retinal detachment include previous eye surgery like cataract removal and injuries like a punch to the face.

Different Types of Retinal Detachment

There are three types of retinal detachment:

Tractional – This is where the scar tissue on the surface of the retina shrinks, causing the retina to separate from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). RPE refers to the cells that are responsible for nourishing the retina. This is common in people suffering from diabetes and does not progress rapidly.
Rhegmatogenous – In this type of retinal detachment, a tear on the retina usually allows the accumulation of fluid beneath the retina, effectively separating it from the retinal pigment epithelium. This type of retinal detachment is considered the most dangerous as they progress rapidly.
Exudative – Here, the fluid usually leaks to the area beneath the retina despite the absence of breaks or tears in the retina. This type of retinal detachment is a result of retinal diseases that include trauma, injury or inflammatory disorders on the eye.

Signs and Symptoms

Retinal detachment manifests through various signs and symptoms that include the following:

• Seeing flashes of light
• A noticeable increase in floaters i.e. cobweb-like or specks floating in the field of vision.
• Seeing a curtain that is causing the loss of your field of vision. This may come up from any direction.

Risk Factors

Although retinal detachment is common after age 40, it could happen at any other age. Moreover, women are at risk of suffering from retinal detachment more than men. In addition, whites are more likely to experience retinal detachment than African Americans.

Other people who have a high risk of suffering from retinal detachment include the following:

• If you have had retinal detachment in one eye
• You are extremely near sighted
• Have had an eye injury before
• Your family has a history of retinal detachment
• You have had cataract surgery
• You suffer from other eye disorders or diseases like uveitis, retinoschisis, degenerative myopia or lattice degeneration

In conclusion, retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency that must be accorded medical attention as soon as it is suspected.

Aaron Barriga aspired to become an Eye Doctor when he was younger, but his fantastic knack for understanding people and his outgoing personality led him into the field of Marketing. Working at Insight Vision Centre as their Online Marketing Manager, he has the best of both worlds. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of Becker's Hospital Review/Becker's Healthcare. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.​

 

Retinal detachment refers to a condition where the retina, which is a layer of tissue, is pulled away or lifted from the normal position inside the eye. The retina serves the role of wallpaper that is sensitive to light in the eye; hence it is a lining on the eye wall. In addition, it also sends visual signals to the brain. When not treated immediately, retinal detachment can result in permanent loss of vision. Parts of the retina may also tear, a condition that is referred to as retinal tears, paving way for retinal detachment.

Causes of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment may occur due to a number of factors that include the following:

  • Traction on the retina - When there is a buildup of tissue between the retina and the vitreous gel; the retina can be pulled from the back of the eye. This problem is particularly caused by proliferative diabetic retinoplasty, a condition that results in the growth of scar tissue which eventually pulls the retina.
  • Holes or tears in the retina – Retinal tears are caused by posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). The result of this is accumulation of fluid from the vitreous under the retina, causing the retina to detach itself from its position. The tears may also be caused by head or eye injury or other eye disorders like lattice degeneration.
  • Fluid accumulation under the retina – A buildup of fluid under the retina may cause it to move from its initial position. Fluid buildup may be caused by disease affecting the retina or an inflammation.

Other causes of retinal detachment include previous eye surgery like cataract removal and injuries like a punch to the face.

Different Types of Retinal Detachment

There are three types of retinal detachment:

  • Tractional – This is where the scar tissue on the surface of the retina shrinks, causing the retina to separate from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). RPE refers to the cells that are responsible for nourishing the retina. This is common in people suffering from diabetes and does not progress rapidly.
  • Rhegmatogenous – In this type of retinal detachment, a tear on the retina usually allows the accumulation of fluid beneath the retina, effectively separating it from the retinal pigment epithelium. This type of retinal detachment is considered the most dangerous as they progress rapidly.
  • Exudative – Here, the fluid usually leaks to the area beneath the retina despite the absence of breaks or tears in the retina. This type of retinal detachment is a result of retinal diseases that include trauma, injury or inflammatory disorders on the eye.

Signs and Symptoms

Retinal detachment manifests through various signs and symptoms that include the following:

  • Seeing flashes of light
  • A noticeable increase in floaters i.e. cobweb-like or specks floating in the field of vision.
  • Seeing a curtain that is causing the loss of your field of vision. This may come up from any direction.

Risk Factors

Although retinal detachment is common after age 40, it could happen at any other age. Moreover, women are at risk of suffering from retinal detachment more than men. In addition, whites are more likely to experience retinal detachment than African Americans.

Other people who have a high risk of suffering from retinal detachment include the following:

  • If you have had retinal detachment in one eye
  • You are extremely near sighted
  • Have had an eye injury before
  • Your family has a history of retinal detachment
  • You have had cataract surgery
  • You suffer from other eye disorders or diseases like uveitis, retinoschisis, degenerative myopia or lattice degeneration

 In conclusion, retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency that must be accorded medical attention as soon as it is suspected.

Aaron Barriga aspired to become an Eye Doctor when he was younger, but his fantastic knack for understanding people and his outgoing personality led him into the field of Marketing. Working at Insight Vision Centre as their Online Marketing Manager, he has the best of both worlds. He blogs with a mission of informing readers about the latest eye care technology and topics related to eye care and eye health. He loves his part-time job as a writer at Study clerk and collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels. 

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