Risk of Retinal Detachment?

What is a Retinal Detachment?

This occurs when the retina detaches from the back of the eye. This is known as the inner tunic of the eye separating from the choroid, which results in a hole in the retina. The fluid thus leaks between the choroid and the retina.

Symptom Include:

·        Floaters

·        Light Flashes

·        Cobweb Effects

·        Specks

·        Appearance of a Curtain Over Your Field of Vision

·        Shadow in One Eye

About 1 in 10,000 people in the United States are affected each year with retinal detachment. This may happen at any age but is most common in middle age and older individuals.

Those at High Risk:

·        Family History of Retinal Detachment

·        Extreme Nearsightness

·        Thinning of the Retina

·        Degenerative Eye Conditions

·        Those Who Have Had Eye Surgeries

·        Those Who Have Had Cataract Surgery

What are the Treatments?

There are only surgical procedures to correct retinal detachment.  Much advancement haa been made through the years. When my Mother had hers there was nothing that could be done for her and she lost sight in that eye. Of course that was 40 years ago. Now they can in most cases correct the problem. The tear is treated with a laser to create a bond to prevent further detachment and to try to repair the tear so that the retina will return to its normal position.

Types of Surgeries:

Sceral Buckle-First the surgeon uses a cryoproby on the outside part of the eye and looks into the eye. He then places the cryoproble into the correct position. The retina tear is then treated. A Sceral Buckle, which is a tiny synthetic band, is then attached to the outside of the eyeball. This band is used to gently push the wall of the eye against the detached retina.

Vitrectomy-This procedure is for the more complicated forms of retinal detachment. During surgery the vitreus jelly is removed as well as any scar tissue or blood. Then the vitreus is replaced with a special fluid or a gas bubble.

Approximately 80% of uncomplicated cases can be resolved with surgery. Without treatment the detachment most often becomes total within 6 months.

Author:

Sandi Baker

Co-Founder

Visual Innovations & Solutions

http://visualinnovations.org