Detachment of the retina
Retinal detachment is an emergency situation in which the layer of tissue vital to the eye (the retina) at the back of the eye is cut off from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients.
Retinal detachment leaves retinal cells without oxygen The longer a detached retina remains untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss on the affected side.
Fortunately, retinal detachment often causes alarming symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of the condition may save the patient's vision If you suspect you may be developing retinal detachment, see an ophthalmologist right away.
Causes of retinal detachment:
- Crinkling or compression of the gelatinous substance (vitreous body) that fills the eye The process may stretch the retina and cause it to tear
- Traumatic injury
- Late stage of diabetes
- Inflammatory eye disease
How retinal detachment occurs Retinal detachment occurs when gelatinous substance (vitreous body) leaks into the retina.
The cause of the hole:
- Aging and retinal diseases cause thinning of the retina. Retinal detachment is usually caused by the vitreous crumpling, causing the retina to detach.
Fluid in the vitreous body then moves into a cavity in the retina and spills into nearby tissues. These tissues contain a layer of blood vessels called the choroid At the place of retinal detachment, the blood supply is no longer going on, as a result of which vision is lost in this part - In some inflammatory diseases or other conditions, fluid may accumulate under the retina without tearing.
Retinal tearing and detachment associated with aging With age, the structure of the vitreous body changes and it can shrink or become more fluid. Eventually, the vitreous body tends to detach from the surface of the retina This not-so-rare condition is called posterior vitreous detachment
A detached vitreous body can pull the retina toward itself and cause it to tear. Without medical intervention, fluid in the vitreous body may migrate through the hole in the back of the retina caused by the tear. As a result, retinal detachment develops
Removal of the posterior part of the vitreous body causes visual symptoms The patient may see bright lights (photopsia) when the eyes are closed or in the dark. New or different floating, small objects may appear in the field of vision
Retinal detachment is painless, but the condition is characterized by warning signs, which are mainly manifested in the early stages. Symptoms of retinal detachment:
- Sudden appearance of small floating objects in the field of vision These objects are perceived as small specks, hairs, or streaks floating in the field of vision
- Sudden flashes in the field of vision of the affected eye
- Part of shading in the field of vision that develops as a result of retinal detachment
When to consult a doctor Since retinal detachment is an emergency situation in which the patient can lose sight completely, it is necessary to seek medical help immediately if symptoms are present.
