Retinal Tear and/or Detachment - Medtick
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Retinal Tear and/or Detachment

What is it?

When the retina (a thin layer of tissue eye – in this tissue are retinal cells which convert light coming from outside to electrical impulses which is carried via the optic nerve to the brain which then gives us a visual image) detaches or lifts away from the back of the eye, this occurs because a thin layer behind the eye becomes loose and/or damaged.

  • This causes the retinal cells in the eye to become detached from the blood vessels that provide they cells with oxygen and nutrients and thus can result in a loss of vision.
  • This needs to be treated quickly because it can cause permanent damage to one’s sight.

Eye test

Examination of the eye via an optometrist in the only way to confirm if one has a retinal tear or detachment

Cause

  • Family history of retinal detachment
  • Already had a detachment in one eye
  • New blood vessels growing in the eye which pushes the retina to lift away from its support network
  • Rhegmatogenous- hole or tear in retina that allow fluid (vitreous) to pass through and collect underneath the retina causing the pulling of the retina tissues, the retina can become loose and the blood supply could become interrupted
    • Short Sightedness and/or near sighted-which causes more strain to the eye (usually more than minus 6.0 D)
    • Eye injury
  • Ageing especially over 50 years old (Posterior vitreous detachment):
    • As one gets older, the gel like material that fills in your eyes (vitreous) may change its consistency and become more liquid, it shrinks and becomes thinner (the vitreous gel helps to maintain the round shape of the eye, hence any change of shape is of concern).
    • The vitreous gel normally separated from the retina easily, however the liquid form does not detach as easily (its more sticky) and may cause a tear, fluid then passes through the tear.
    • This then cause the vitreous liquid to enter where the tear has occurred and may cause retinal detachment.
  • Tractional
    • When scar tissue grows and contracts  on the retina surface causing the retina to be pulled.
    • It is common in diabetics who have poorly controlled sugar – see also Diabetic retinopathy
  •  Exudative
  • Coats disease
  • Kniest dysplasia
  • Retinoschisis
  • Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita
  • Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease
  • Von Hippel-Lindau disease

Treatments

  • Recent eye surgery: i.e. cataract, glaucoma surgery

Syndromes

Medication

    • Glaucoma medications i.e. Pilocarpine (which constrict the pupil)
    • Any medication that make the pupil go small

Symptoms

(Symptoms occur suddenly)

  • New or many Floaters (Spiders’ legs or cobwebs appearance and/or dots or lines) – tiny specs that float across one vision [or more Floaters -( Spiders’ legs or cobwebs appearance , dots or lines)]  appear suddenly in ones vision than usual?

Floaters are caused by bits of debris floating in your vitreous gel which cast a shadow onto your retina. The brain then sees this as something floating around in your vision.

RNIB

  • Sudden flashes of light in your vision?

Flashing lights happen when the retina is stimulated by something inside the eye rather than by the light entering the eye. They are often caused by the vitreous gel inside the eye moving across and pulling on the retina.

RNIB

  • Dark curtain- like shadow vision and/or shadow  moving across ones vision?

If your retina does detach, this means that it doesn’t work properly any more and you will see this as a solid dark shadow moving in from the edge of your vision. You will not be able to see round or through this shadow. If more of your retina detaches, then the shadow will keep moving towards the centre of your vision.

RNIB

  • Blurred vision?
  • Reducing outer vision?
  • Shadow appears on the corner of your vision?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

 Do not wait, phone for an ambulance especially if have vision loss

This condition is normally painless but the warning signs above always appear before it occurs or has advanced

This condition could be associated with:

Surgery

  • One may need surgery to attach the retina back to the eye via vitrectomy, scleral buckling, pneumatic retinopexy and cryotherapy
  • Recovery time is from two to six weeks
  • Please one should not drive or travel by air during this time of recovery , always check with the specialist when it is safe.
  • Please beware of symptoms below as this condition could come back after surgery.
  • Surgery can lead to other eye conditions such as:

Eye Test

  • One should have routine eye tests at least every two years but if one has concerns one should book an eye test at any point.

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Optometrist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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