Retinal Detachment
“Recently, I’ve been seeing flashes of light, like a camera flash. I ignored this at first, but at some point my visual acuity was damaged as well. Following an examination, I found out that I am suffering from retinal detachment”,Chaim L., 58 years old.
Jerusalem | Tel Aviv | Haifa | Be’er Sheva
“Recently, I’ve been seeing flashes of light, like a camera flash. I ignored this at first, but at some point my visual acuity was damaged as well. Following an examination, I found out that I am suffering from retinal detachment”,Chaim L., 58 years old.
כל המידע על Retinal Detachment
What is retinal detachment?
Most of the interior of the eye is filled with a transparent gel known as the vitreous, through which light travels on its way to the retina.
The retina, which works like a camera film, is responsible for turning the image received as light energy into electrical energy and transferring it to the brain for information processing.
Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina detaches from the inner wall of the eye. There are three types of retinal detachment. The most common, rhegmatogenous type is caused by tears formed in the circumference of the retina.
These tears normally form as a result of the vitreous gel shrinking and detaching from the retina.
The vitreous, as its texture changes with time, shrinks and pulls on the retinal tissue, which may tear.
Fluid from the vitreous chamber may penetrate beneath the retina through the tear and cause a condition where the retina detaches from the eyeball like wallpaper detaching from a wall due to wetness. If the retina detaches from the eyeball, the cells along the outer layers of the retina are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing severe damage to the retina and to the eye as a whole over time.
What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
- A retinal tear may be a predictor of retinal detachment.
- A tear is expressed as “flashes of light” in the field of view.
- A “rain” of black spots in the field of view.
- The appearance of a grey “curtain” along the visual axis that gradually covers the field of view.
- A sudden notifiable decrease in visual acuity is possible.
- The process is not painful.
- Usually, retinal detachment occurs in one eye.
What are the risk factors for retinal detachment?
One in every 10,000 people is diagnosed with retinal detachment annually.
- Near-sightedness
- Previous retinal detachment in one eye.
- Retinal detachment in a family member
- Eye trauma: injury, previous surgery
- Cataract surgery
Given the risk factors, it is recommended to have your retina examined annually.
How is retinal detachment diagnosed?
Retinal detachment is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. Pupil dilation is required for the examination.
In some cases, bleeding into the vitreous may accompany a retinal tear, and due to the inability to see the retina through the bleeding, an ultrasound examination of the eye is performed. At the Dr. Levinger Eyes chain of medical centers, all patients are examined in a thorough and comprehensive manner.
About the Treatment
Early laser treatment
If the patient arrives at an early stage that includes only a retinal tear without detachment, the tear can be delimited with laser. Laser treatment is usually quick, efficient, and has an excellent safety profile. The treatment is usually performed using a treating laser of the Argon type, which is not similar to the laser for vision correction.
During laser treatment, the physician “welds” the edges of the tear or hole and prevents retinal detachment from developing.
In severe cases of the disease, surgery can be performed to repair the retina. There are several types of retinal surgeries, and each type is adapted to the patient’s age and medical condition.
At the Dr. Levinger Eyes medical centers, operating rooms are equipped with all the medical equipment required for complex retinal surgeries.
How is surgery performed to treat retinal detachment?
- The type of surgery dictates the duration of the surgery and anesthesia.
- Most surgeries are performed under local anesthesia with an injection, sometimes general anesthesia is required.
- During the surgery, the goal is to return the retina to its place, thereby improving vision.
- In about 10% of cases, more than one surgery is needed to return the retina to its place.
Usually, visual acuity improves after surgery.
Q&A
- The visual disturbance gradually worsens over time to the point of blindness.
- Quality of life is greatly impaired: the patient may stumble, have difficulty reading, driving, watching television, and recognizing faces.
The surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia. After the surgery, there may be pain and discomfort depending on the type of surgery.
40 minutes to an hour.
Depends on the chosen surgery. Ranges from several days to weeks.
Depends on the type of surgery. Recovery time ranges from several days to about two months.
Usually, the retina remains in place, and the surgery lasts for life.
There may be a need for repeat surgery in 5-15% of cases.
In a comprehensive manner, everyone gets 7 sick days, no matter the type of surgery. If more days are needed, please request from reception at the relevant branch.
You should avoid getting your eyes wet for about a month after surgery. When washing your hair, avoid spraying water on your eyes.
You can wear make-up once two weeks have passed since the surgery.
Depends on the type of surgery. If a gas bubble is injected into the eye, there is sometimes a need to maintain a stable head position for several days, so do not engage in physical activity. In general, rest is recommended for about 3 weeks or more after surgery.
- Recurrent retinal detachment.
- Infection or bleeding.
- Worsening of cataracts in young people who have not undergone cataract removal surgery.
- Change in glasses prescription.
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