|
|
|
Eye care - Retinal Detachment
| Eye care | | Children's eye care | | Visual displays and your eyes | | Squints & Lazy Eyes | |
| Focussing Errors | | Cataracts | | Glaucoma | | Macula Degeneration | | Retinal Detachment | |
Retinal Detachment
The retina is the inner layer of the inside of the eye, which processes the images that are focused on to it by the cornea and the lens. In a detachment the retina peels away and separates from the underlying layer it is attached to.
Causes
It can happen spontaneously without any reason whatsoever. A common cause however, is a blow to the head or eye area. This may cause a tear or hole in the retina through which the internal fluids of the eye leak, causing the retina to separate.
The Effect On Vision
A portion of the visual field is lost for example when looking straight ahead, the area above, below or to the side might appear dark and shadowy. The position and size of the missing area will depend on which portion and how much of the retina has detached.
Central vision becomes severely affected if the macula, the part of the retina responsible for detailed vision, becomes detached.
During a detachment, bleeding from small retinal blood vessels may cloud the jelly filling the interior of the eye, resulting in a sudden haze and blotchy vision.
If treated in time, there is a good chance of preserving the sight. Often however there is normally some degree of long-term damage.
The Symptoms
A combination of the following usually occurs
Persistent flashing lights A sudden onset of multiple black and or red blots that float around in front of you A shadow or veil across part of the vision in one eye
The last one of these is a strong indication that a retinal detachment has occurred. The first two can also occur in the less serious condition where only the jelly that fills the eye detaches (Posterior vitreous detachment), and not the retina itself. If any of the above symptoms are experienced then an Urgent appointment with one of our Optometrists is advised for further assessment
Who Is At Risk?
Anyone who partakes in activities, which involve trauma to the head, or eyes such as boxers, bungee jumpers The elderly, as they are more prone to falls. In addition the retinas of older people are more fragile due to degeneration of retinal tissue and therefore more prone to tearing. Very shortsighted people: the eyeballs of these individuals are longer than average, resulting in the retina being thinned and stretched. It is therefore more at risk of tearing. Those with a family history Severe diabetes: the eye grows abnormal internal blood vessels which pull on the retina
The Treatment
A retinal detachment is a medical emergency and must be treated as soon as possible to prevent more of the tissue from detaching and preserve vision. If a detachment is suspected one of our Optometrists will ensure that you are assessed by an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) at the hospital as an emergency. The treatment is a surgical procedure to seal the retina onto the back of the eye again and is performed using lasers or frozen probes.
For more information click on the following links
www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib001959.hcsp
www.moorfields.nhs.uk/eyehealth