Retinal Detachments
What is a retinal detachment?
The retina is the thin, light-sensitive layer that lines the inside of your eye. It sends visual signals to your brain, allowing you to see. A retinal detachment occurs when this layer separates from the tissue beneath it, creating a space that fills with fluid and prevents the retina from functioning properly. When this happens, vision becomes blurred or dark in the affected area.
What causes a retinal detachment?
There are three main types of retinal detachment:
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: The most common type, caused by a tear or hole in the retina that allows fluid to seep underneath.
- Traction retinal detachment: Caused by scar tissue pulling on the retina, often seen in advanced diabetes or previous retinal surgery.
- Exudative retinal detachment: Caused by fluid leaking beneath the retina due to inflammation, tumors, or blood vessel problems.
This page focuses mainly on rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, the type most often requiring surgical repair.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms may include flashes of light, sudden floaters, or blurry vision. As the detachment progresses, patients often describe a dark shadow or curtain moving across their field of vision. If untreated, vision loss can progress to severe impairment or blindness in the affected eye.
What should I do if I suspect a detachment?
If you notice new floaters, flashes, or a shadow in your vision, contact an eye specialist immediately. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of saving your vision.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform a dilated eye exam using special instruments such as an ophthalmoscope or slit lamp to look for retinal tears or areas of separation. In some cases, an ultrasound or optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan may be used to view the retina in more detail.
How is a retinal detachment treated?
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the detachment. Options include:
- Laser or freezing therapy (cryopexy): Used for small tears or early detachments to seal the retina back in place.
- Pneumatic retinopexy: A small gas bubble is injected into the eye to gently push the retina against the back wall. The patient maintains specific head positioning during healing.
- Vitrectomy surgery: The most common procedure, where the vitreous gel is removed and replaced with air, gas, or silicone oil to reattach the retina.
- Scleral buckle surgery: A silicone band is placed around the eye to relieve pressure and support reattachment.
What determines which surgery is used?
At Retina Associates of Florida, our team selects the least invasive and most effective treatment for each patient. Factors like the size and location of the detachment, whether you’ve had cataract surgery, and your ability to follow postoperative instructions all play a role in determining the best approach.
Recovery and aftercare
Most retinal detachment procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. After surgery, you’ll need to avoid heavy lifting and follow positioning instructions carefully if a gas bubble was used. Vision recovery varies but generally improves over several weeks to months. In some cases, additional treatments may be needed to address scarring or cataracts.
Can I fly after surgery?
If you have a gas bubble in your eye, you cannot fly until it fully absorbs because altitude changes can dangerously increase eye pressure. If silicone oil was used, flying is permitted.
What if my retina detaches again?
Re-detachments can happen, but a second procedure is often successful. Our surgeons will adjust the treatment plan to address the cause of the recurrence, ensuring the highest possible chance of vision recovery.
The goal of treatment is always to preserve vision and prevent blindness. With modern surgical techniques, most patients can expect significant improvement and stabilization of their sight when treated promptly.