Retinal detachment

What is a retinal detachment?

During a retinal detachment, the thin retinal tissue lifts from its supporting tissue, initially causing loss of peripheral (side) vision. An untreated retinal detachment will spread into the central retina at which point central vision will be compromised. Retinal detachments are most often the result of a retinal tear.

There is no pain associated with a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and it is recommended to contact your ophthalmologist if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

a sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters and/or flashes in the eye,
the appearance of a curtain or shadow over the field of vision.

What are the treatments for retinal detachment?

Small retinal tears and holes are treated with laser therapy or a treatment called cryopexy. Laser surgery aims to “weld” the tears back together using a series of tiny burns. Cryopexy freezes the area around the tear or hole and seals the retinal tear or hole.

Retinal detachments are treated through the use of surgery that is usually performed on an outpatient basis. A vitrectomy is one of the main options for repairing retinal detachments. During a vitrectomy, tiny incisions are made in the sclera, through which the vitreous inside of the eye is removed. After re-attaching the retina, a gas or silicone oil bubble is put into the space where the vitreous was removed, helping to keep the retina in place by pushing it back. The gas bubble dissolves over a few weeks, whereas the silicone oil may stay in place or be removed later during a second procedure. Either laser surgery or cryopexy is used during vitrectomy to “weld” the retina back in place.

A scleral buckle is another procedure used to repair a retinal detachment. A scleral buckle is a tiny synthetic band placed around the eye to push the eye against the detached retina and close the retinal tear. Scleral buckles are usually performed in combination with laser or cryopexy. Sometimes scleral buckles are used in combination with a vitrectomy.

Occasionally, additional surgery is needed to repair a retinal detachment. However, in uncomplicated retinal detachments that present shortly after onset, most cases can be successfully treated with a single surgery.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of retinal detachment, contact your ophthalmologist immediately. Call OCLI for an appointment today!

Retina providers

Ramakrishna Ratnakaram, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Peter M. Brennen, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Brian H. Jewart, MD Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Philip Niles, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Glenn Stoller, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Mehdi Khan, DO Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Brett J. Karlik, MD Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Robert G. Barone, MD, FACS Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Christopher R. Adam, MD Medical and Surgical Management of the Retina, Vitreous, and Macula
Marc E. Wietschner, MD, FAAO Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Medical and Surgical Treatment of Eye Disease
Alan D. Listhaus, MD Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Jonathan Noonan, MD Medical and Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous and Macula
Martin Boscarino, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Christopher Seebruck, MD Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Jay Fleischman, MD Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous and Macula
Jonathan Noonan, MD Vitreoretinal Surgeon
George J. Grisnik, OD Optometrist
Ravi D. Patel, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Christopher Jermak, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Cristin D. Subramaniam, MD Cataract Surgeon, Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
Fadi Z. El Baba, MD Medical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Glen Weiss, MD Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Laser Cataract Surgeon
Deepika Malik, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Tal Ben Ami, MD Medical and Surgical Management of the Retina, Vitreous, and Macula
Paul J. Lee, MD Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula
Benjamin Chang, MD Ophthalmologist
John R. Dailey, MD Ophthalmologist
Benjamin D. Freilich, MD, FACS Medical & Surgical Diseases of the Retina, Vitreous & Macula

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Retinal detachment

What is the retina?

What is a retinal detachment?

What are the treatments for retinal detachment?

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