Retinal Detachments are very serious and can cause devastating and permanent vision loss if left untreated or if treatment is delayed.
What Causes Retinal Detachments?
Some causes of retinal detachments are changes in the vitreous, thin and weak areas of the retina called Lattice degeneration, or some scars that can tug on the retina causing a tear. Vitreous is the gelatanous substance that fills the cavity of they eye. As we age, it can liquify and and shrink. This can pull on the retina and cause a tear. If left untreated, the tear can cause the retina to detach. Patients with lattice degeneration have an increased chance of developing a tear or detachment because the retina is thin and weak. symtoms include tiny black dots (floaters), flashes, or a curtain effect. Please contact your physician as soon as any of these symptoms occur.
Treatment of Retinal Detachment and Tear
Treatment of a detached retina or retinal tear depends on the location of the tear and/or detachment. Laser treatment is used to create scars to seal around the tear. Freezing the area (cryotherapy) using a probe to bond the tissue together is another option to treat a retinal detachment or tear. This is done after anesthetizing the eye. the physician may decide to fill the eye with a gas bubble after cryotherapy to push the retina back in place. surgical intervention may be necessary to treat a retinal detachment. A vitrectomy may be performed to repair a retinal detachment. A vitrectomy is a procedure in which the vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear fluid and often times gas or silicone oil. A scleral buckle is another procedure in which a soft silicone band is placed around the the eye to press the eye against the retina. all options will be discussed with you at your visit.