Avendaño, Rica Marie A.

BSN 3C Group 9A

RETINAL DETACHMENT

A retinal detachment is a medical emergency in which a thin layer of tissue or the retina at
the back of the eye pulls away from its usual position. Retinal detachment occurs when the retinal
cells get detached from the layer of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the eye. The
longer it takes to manage a retinal detachment, the higher the likelihood of permanent vision loss in
the affected eye.

Reduced vision, as well as the abrupt appearance of floaters and flashes of light, are all
warning symptoms of retinal detachment. Contacting an ophthalmologist as soon as possible will
reduce the possibility of permanent vision loss. The detachment of the retina is not painful.
However, warning indicators nearly always show before the occurrence or progression of the
condition, such as the sudden development of many floaters or tiny specks that appear to drift
through your field of vision. Light flashes in one or both eyes (photopsia), blurred vision, gradually
decreasing side (peripheral) vision, and a curtain-like shadow over your field of vision are all
symptoms of photopsia.

There are three different types of retinal detachment first is the Rhegmatogenous These is
the most common types of retinal detachments. A hole or tear in the retina allows fluid to pass
through and pool beneath the retina, resulting in rhegmatogenous detachment. This fluid
accumulates, causing the retina to move away from the surrounding structures. The places where the
retina detaches lose blood flow and stop operating, resulting in visual loss. Aging is the most
common cause of rhegmatogenous detachment. The vitreous, the gel-like fluid that fills the inside of
the eye, may change consistency and shrink or become more liquid as you age. Usually, the vitreous
separates from the surface of the retina without causing any problems — a situation known as
posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). A tear is one of the complications of this separation. Next is
Tractional, This type of detachment happens when scar tissue forms on the surface of the retina,
causing the retina to pull away from the back of the eye. Those with poorly controlled diabetes or
other diseases are more likely to experience tractional separation. And lastly the Exudative, fluid
accumulates behind the retina in this type of detachment, although there are no holes or tears in the
retina. Exudative detachment can result from age-related macular degeneration, ocular damage,
tumors, or inflammatory illnesses.

The risk factors are first and the most common is aging population over 50, previous retinal
detachment in one eye, family history of retinal detachment, extreme nearsightedness (myopia),
previous eye surgery such as cataract removal, previous severe eye inury, previous other eye disease
or disorder, including retinoschisis, uveitis or thinning of the peripheral retina.

Treatment may involve one or more of these procedures:

● Laser (thermal) or freezing (cryopexy). Both methods can repair a tear if it’s diagnosed early
enough. They’re often done in the doctor's office.
 ● Pneumatic retinopexy. This works well for a tear that’s small and easy to close. Your doctor
injects a tiny gas bubble into your vitreous gel. It presses against the upper part of your
retina, closing the tear. You’ll need to hold your head in a certain position for several days to
keep the bubble in the right place.
● Scleral buckle. Your doctor sews a silicone band (buckle) around the white of your eye (called
the sclera). This pushes it toward the tear or detachment until it heals. This band is invisible
and is permanently attached.
● Vitrectomy. This surgery repairs large tears or detachment. Your doctor removes the vitreous
gel and replaces it with a gas bubble or oil. A vitrectomy also might require you to hold your
head in one position for some time.

References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-203513
44#:~:text=Retinal%20detachment%20describes%20an%20emergency,and%20floaters%20in%20y
our%20vision.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-health-retinal-detachment