RETINAL DITACHMENT

 Retinal detachment is a separation of the light-sensitive membrane in the back of the eye (the retina) from its supporting layers.

Symptoms

• Bright flashes of light, especially in peripheral vision
• Blurred vision
• Floaters in the eye
• Shadow or blindness in a part of the visual field of one eye

  
  

  Treatment

  Most patients with a retinal detachment will need surgery, either immediately or after a short period of time. (However, surgery may not be needed if you do not have symptoms or have had the detachment for a while.)
  Types of surgery include:
  
  • Cryopexy (intense cold applied to the area with an ice probe) to help a scar form, which holds the retina to the underlying layer
  • Laser surgery to seal the tears or holes in the retina
  • Pneumatic retinopexy (placing a gas bubble in the eye) to help the retina float back into place
  Laser surgey is performed after pneumatic retinopexy to permanently fix it in place. This is often done in a doctor's office.
  More extensive detachments may require surgery in an operating room. Such procedures include:
  • Scleral buckle to indent the wall of the eye
  • Vitrectomy to remove gel or scar tissue pulling on the retina