What is retinal detachment?
By Pen Byrd
A retinal detachment is an eye disorder where the thin lining of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen. It requires immediate treatment and can lead to blindness if not dealt with properly.
Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears and can sometimes follow an injury. A sudden blow to the head might cause the vitreous jelly to separate from the retina, so stay alert if you've been in an accident. Retinal tears can also be caused when they jelly like substance at the back of the eye shrinks and pulls against the retina. If the retina's torn, fluid can get behind the tear and the retina might peel off – a bit like wallpaper.
This is very dangerous as the retina contains millions of nerve cells which help convert light into nerve cells. If the retina pulls away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen the nerve signals will start to die and this can damage the cones and rods in the retina. If the retina's not repaired promptly it can lead to a permanent loss of vision.
The symptoms of a retinal detachment include an increase of fluid in the eye, flashes of light and the sudden appearance of floaters – dark spots or thin black strands that seem to float around your eye. If you notice any of these warning signs it's important to see your optometrist urgently. Some patients describe a curtain coming across their vision, so be sure to look out for changes to your vision.
If you think you've a retinal tear, an eye care specialist will normally place drops inside your eye to dilate your pupil and will examine your retina. They will check for tears or detachments and if they see a problem they'll refer you to a retinal specialist.
Retinal specialists are able to repair a tear using a special laser and this usually takes place under a local anaesthetic. If a retinal attachment has occurred you'll need surgery to correct the problem. The longer the retina's cut off from the blood supply, the more damage will be caused, so it's essential to act quickly. Never ignore symptoms and always seek help if you experience any changes to your vision.
The retina can become thinner and brittle with age, so it's essential to see your optometrist regularly. A highly-trained optician will be able to spot the early stages of retinal detachment (if present) and will also look out for other eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Our eyes are extremely delicate and must be examined often – so book your eye test today!
Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears and can sometimes follow an injury. A sudden blow to the head might cause the vitreous jelly to separate from the retina, so stay alert if you've been in an accident. Retinal tears can also be caused when they jelly like substance at the back of the eye shrinks and pulls against the retina. If the retina's torn, fluid can get behind the tear and the retina might peel off – a bit like wallpaper.
This is very dangerous as the retina contains millions of nerve cells which help convert light into nerve cells. If the retina pulls away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen the nerve signals will start to die and this can damage the cones and rods in the retina. If the retina's not repaired promptly it can lead to a permanent loss of vision.
The symptoms of a retinal detachment include an increase of fluid in the eye, flashes of light and the sudden appearance of floaters – dark spots or thin black strands that seem to float around your eye. If you notice any of these warning signs it's important to see your optometrist urgently. Some patients describe a curtain coming across their vision, so be sure to look out for changes to your vision.
If you think you've a retinal tear, an eye care specialist will normally place drops inside your eye to dilate your pupil and will examine your retina. They will check for tears or detachments and if they see a problem they'll refer you to a retinal specialist.
Retinal specialists are able to repair a tear using a special laser and this usually takes place under a local anaesthetic. If a retinal attachment has occurred you'll need surgery to correct the problem. The longer the retina's cut off from the blood supply, the more damage will be caused, so it's essential to act quickly. Never ignore symptoms and always seek help if you experience any changes to your vision.
The retina can become thinner and brittle with age, so it's essential to see your optometrist regularly. A highly-trained optician will be able to spot the early stages of retinal detachment (if present) and will also look out for other eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Our eyes are extremely delicate and must be examined often – so book your eye test today!
Pen ByrdPenelope Byrd is a freelance copywriter based in the UK. She specialises in medical journalism, in particular eye care. If you believe to be experiencing problems with your vision, visit your local opticians as soon as possible.
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