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The retina is the
nerve cell layer of the eye. When light enters the eye,
it passes through the cornea and lens and is focused onto
the retina.
Retinal detachment is the
retina separating from the outer layers of the eye, thereby
losing of vision. |
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Causes
The vitreous-which is a
gel fluid attached to the retina around the back wall
of the eye- shrinks, and then it pulls a piece of the
retina resulting in hole in the retina. Fluid passes through
these openings and separates the retina from the adjacent
layers of the eye.
Cataract surgery, severe inflammations, or injury may
also cause the vitreous to shrink. Holes or tears of the
retina may result from thinning of the retina caused by
nearsightedness. Furthermore, strong nearsighted people
and a positive family history of retinal detachment are
the other risk factors. |
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Symptoms
Some retinal detachments
may begin without notice until a large segment of the
retina is separated. Patients may notice wavy vision in
their overall vision. Additionally, the part of the retina
that is detached will not work properly and there will
be blur or a blind spot in vision.
A few detachment may occur suddenly, thereby resulting
in a total loss of vision. Similar rapid loss of vision
may also be caused by bleeding into the vitreous area
of the eye which may happen when the retina is torn.
Treatment
There are several surgical procedures of retinal
detachment.
1. Laser Photocoagulation
When new small retinal tears are found with little, the
tears are sometimes sealed with a laser light. The laser
places small burns around the edge of the tears and produces
scars to prevent fluid from passing through and collecting
under the retina. Laser procedure is usually an outpatient
surgery.
2. Freezing or Cryopexy
Freezing will also stimulate scar formation and seal down
the edges. Freezing is often an outpatient procedure but
requires local anesthesia to numb the eye.
3. Surgical Repair
Such operations vary depending on the extent of the detachment
and resulting damage. Some patients require air/gas injection
and they have to maintain fixed head positions as much
as possible for several days after the operation. In more
complex cases, it may be necessary to use a technique
called vitrectomy. This surgery cuts the connected bands
of vitreous away from the retina and removes the shrunken
vitreous body from the edge. Generally, eye drops and
ointments are the only medications required after discharge.
Irregularly, glasses or contact lens may be prescribed
if vision needs correction.
Moreover, there are the combining surgery procedures used
to treat retinal detachment. It combines between vitrectomy,
subretinal fluid drainage, and gas injection called fluid
gas exchange. Many cases may need scleral buckle procedure
combined with endolaser or cryopexy to stimulate attachment
of the retina. Irregularly, glasses or contact lens may
be prescribed if vision needs correction.
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