The retina is attached to the eye with underlying tissue. The separation of the retina with its underlying tissue that holds it together is called retinal detachment. This condition usually happens due to a break, hole or tear. Retinal breaks occur when the vitreous gel loses its rigidity. More than two-thirds of the eye are filled with vitreous gel which is a clear substance and is located in front of the retina. When the vitreous gel loses its rigidity, the traction it generates affects the retina.
When the retina breaks, the vitreous gel passes through the torn area and deposits at the back of the retina. There is a buildup of vitreous gel in this space. As more gel accumulates, retinal detachment increases. Retinal detachment usually affects one eye and very rarely both the eyes. Eye floaters and flashing lights are the most common symptoms of retinal detachments. Patients are advised to seek immediate consultation from premier eye clinics such as Sugarland Eye & Laser Center in Houston.
Symptoms of retinal tear or detachment
Flashing lights and shadows in the field of vision are the symptoms of a retinal tear. An ophthalmologist can confirm this condition by conducting an eye examination, but there could be cases where eye floaters may not necessarily be associated with this condition, so only a qualified surgeon will be able to take a call on this.
Causes and risks
This condition affects one in 10,000 people indicating that occurrence of this condition is not common. Retinal tears may not necessarily progress to retinal detachment. People of any age can be affected with this condition, but it is common in adults over the age of 40. Older people can get this condition, especially after cataract surgery, although this incidence can be averted if the cataract surgery is done right.
Eye diseases that can predispose patients to retinal detachment
Retinal lattice degeneration that commonly affects myopic patients can develop into retinal detachment. Lattice degeneration can be corrected with laser eye surgery so that further aggravation is stopped.
Patients with high degrees of myopia develop this condition. They have a risk of 2.6% compared to the risk of 0.6% on average. Cataract surgery, if done improperly, can increase the risk in highly myopic patients.
It has been researched the Pilocarpine (Salagen) which is an eye drop solution for glaucoma can cause retinal detachment. Patients who have been using this eye drop have had incidences of retinal tears.
Patients with uveitis or chronic inflammation of the eye can be affected with this condition.
Treatment
The common surgical treatment is scleral buckling. The two other treatments are pneumatic retinopexy and vitrectomy. The latter two treatments are conducted for pronounced conditions. Vitrectomy, especially, is for serious conditions and is prescribed when the situation progresses to abnormal growth of blood vessels on the retinal surface.
Conclusion
A regular eye examination is all it takes to detect such conditions early and prevent them in a timely manner.
Source:
www.medicinenet.com
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
:
