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Retinal Detachment
Retinal Detachment occurs in 1 per 10,000 individuals. It occurs in both eyes in 10% of cases and is more common in individuals with high myopia.
Retinal detachment can be without symptoms initially. However, usually the symptoms consist of new flashing lights and floating spots followed by a loss of peripheral vision and eventually a loss of central vision. Onset of symptoms is often fairly sudden.
It is often associated with an acute posterior vitreous detachment (acute PVD). A PVD is a fairly common condition associated with normal age-related degenerations of the vitreous of the eye (vitreous is a watery gel-like substance occupying the vitreous cavity (main cavity) of the eye). In some circumstances, a PVD can lead to a break or tear of the retina (the retina is a sensory tissue which lines the inside of the eye and changes light from images into neural information). This then results in fluid entering behind the retina and detaching it from the inside of the eye. Retinal detachments can also be associated with trauma to the eye.
Retinal detachments are more common in eyes with peripheral retinal degenerations which result in an increased risk for the formation of a tear or break in the retina. Diagnosis of these peripheral retinal degenerations during a routine full eye examination can identify eyes that are at an increased risk of a retinal detachment.
Early detection of a retinal tear or breaks can be treated much easier by a retinal specialist and can prevent the development of a retinal detachment. Early detection and treatment/surgery of a retinal detachment leads to a significant improvement in the outcome of this condition. Surgery for retinal detachment depending on its severity and location within the eye is often done on the same day as it is diagnosed.
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