Retinal Tears and Detachment
What is a Retinal Tear?
A retinal tear is a full-thickness defect in the retina that is usually the result of pulling of the vitreous gel in the eye.
What is Retinal Detachment?
A retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from the wall of the eye with accumulation of fluid under the retina.
What are the types of Retinal Detachment?
It is mostly commonly the result of a retinal tear (rhegmatogenous detachment) which allows liquified vitreous gel to enter the subretinal space and separate the retina from the wall of the eye. Retinal detachment can also occur because of leakage of fluid from blood vessels (exudative detachment) or due to contraction of scar tissue on the surface of the retina (tractional detachment).
Who is at risk of Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachments?
Retinal tears and detachments most commonly occur after posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Patients may be at higher risk if they are highly short-sighted (myopic), have a personal or family history of retinal tears/detachments, or previous eye trauma.
What are the symptoms?
Flashes and floaters are the most common symptoms of a retinal tear. Patients with retinal detachment usually describe a ‘curtain’ or ‘shadow’ in their vision that typically starts in the periphery (side) of their vision.
How is it diagnosed?
Retinal tears and detachments are diagnosed by a dilated retinal examination. In some cases, they may be picked up on retinal photography (using ultra-widefield retinal imaging modalities).
What are the treatment options?
Retinal tears may be treated by retinal laser or cryotherapy (freezing treatment) to create a scar to prevent fluid entering the subretinal space. This reduces the risk of a tear progressing to a retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment requires vitreoretinal surgery. Options include pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle surgery, vitrectomy surgery or a combination of these.
What if a Retinal Tear is not treated?
Without treatment a retinal tear usually progresses to a retinal detachment.
What if a Retinal Detachment is not treated?
Without treatment a retinal detachment may progress and lead to severe loss of vision.
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