Retinal Diseases/Treatments
Common Diseases
Age-Related Macular Degeneraltion
Diabetic Retinopathy
Flashes & Floaters
Retinal Tear & Detachment
Common Treatments
- Laser Treatment of the Retina
- Intravitreal Injections
- Vitrectomy
- Scleral Buckle
- Photodynamic Therapy
Amsler Grid
Retinal Tear & Detachment
What is a retinal detachment?
As the vitreous gel in the back of the eye starts to liquefy, it can separate from the retina, a condition called vitreous detachment. If the vitreous gel adheres too firmly to the retina, a retinal tear can occur with a vitreous detachment. A retinal detachment occurs when fluid leaks through the tear and separates the retina from the back of the.
Symptoms:
Patients with a retinal tear or detachment often, but not always, have flashes and floaters as their first symptoms. This occurs as the vitreous gel detaches from the back of the eye. Other patients may have very few symptoms. Patients may describe a "curtain" being drawn across the peripheral vision or decreased peripheral vision. If untreated, most retinal detachments will cause progressive loss of vision and eventually total blindness.
Treatment:
In most instances, retinal tears are treated with laser photocoagulation which acts to "spot weld" the retina to the back of the eye. In some cases pneumatic retinopexy is used to treat retinal detachment in the office without the need of surgery. In most cases, however, surgery is usually required. This consists of scleral buckling, vitrectomy, or a combination of the two procedures. These are usually performed as outpatient surgeries and may involve using a gas bubble to help push the retina back into position.