When the retina detaches, light sensitive membrane in the back of the eye becomes separated from the nerve tissue and blood supply underneath it.
Signs and symptoms include:
A retinal detachment is commonly preceded by a posterior vitreous detachment which gives rise to these symptoms:
• flashes of light (photopsia) – very brief in the extreme peripheral (outside of center) part of vision
• a sudden dramatic increase in the number of floaters
• a ring of floaters or hairs just to the temporal (skull) side of the central vision
• a slight feeling of heaviness in the eye
Retinal detachment can be examined by fundus photography or ophthalmoscopy.
In most cases, you will need surgery to repair a detached retina.
• Photocoagulation (a laser): If you have a hole or tear in your retina but your retina is still attached, your doctor may use photocoagulation (a laser). The laser burns around the tear site, and the resulting scarring affixes the retina to the back of the eye
• Cryopexy (intense cold). For this treatment, doctor will apply a freezing probe to the tear site and the resulting scarring will help hold the retina in place. Your eye will be numbed for both treatments.
• Pneumatic retinopexy, which repairs minor detachments. For this procedure, doctor will put a gas bubble in your eye to help the retina move back into place. Once the retina is back in place, doctor will use a laser to seal the holes.
• Scleral buckling, which pushes the wall of the eye into the retina to get it back into place, may be used.
• Vitrectomy, which is used for larger tears. The procedure for vitrectomy includes anesthesia and is an out-patient procedure. Your doctor will use small tools to remove scar tissue and fluid from the retina and then put the retina back into its proper place.