The retina is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. If it is lifted or pulled from its normal position, the retina can tear or detach creating a medical emergency that calls for immediate professional attention. Unless the detached retina is promptly reattached, the condition can cause a permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.

Fortunately, warning signs often appear before detachment occurs. Early diagnosis and treatment by a trained ophthalmologist can save your vision.

Warning signs and symptoms
Retinal detachment is a painless condition with several warning signs:

• the sudden appearance of floaters – specks and “cobwebs” that appear in your field of vision
• sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes
• a shadow or curtain over part of your visual field
• a sudden blur in your vision

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your ophthalmologist immediately. In some cases, there may be small areas of the retina that are torn which can lead to retinal detachment. Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential.

Risk factors
A retinal detachment can happen at any age, but is more common in people over 40. The condition affects men more than women and whites more than blacks.

Retinal detachment is also most likely to affect those who:

• are extremely nearsighted
• have had a retinal detachment in the other eye
• have a family history of retinal detachment
• have had cataract surgery
• have had a severe eye injury or trauma
• have other eye diseases or disorders

Screening, diagnosis and treatment
Using a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope, your doctor can look at the inside of your eye and determine what is causing your symptoms. Your doctor might also use ultrasound imaging to evaluate your retina.

Your doctor will recommend surgery for retinal tears, holes and detachment. Small holes and tears are treated with laser surgery or a freeze treatment called cryopexy -- both usually performed in the doctor’s office.

Surgery for retinal detachments may require a hospital stay. In many cases, your ophthalmologist will attach a tiny synthetic band (scleral buckle) to the outside of the eyeball. The band closes the tear and helps reduce the traction on the retina which prevents further damage. Your doctor may also perform a vitroectomy, making a tiny incision in the white of the eye, then using a small instrument to remove the vitreous (the gel-like substance in the center of the eye). The doctor may fill the inside of your eye with gas to help seal the retina against the wall of your eye and use either laser or cryopexy to weld the retina back in place. During the healing process, the eye manufactures fluid that gradually replaces the gas.

Success through surgery
With today’s surgical techniques, more than 90 percent of retinal detachments can be successfully treated, although a second treatment is sometimes needed. The outcome is not always predictable and a reattached retina doesn’t guarantee normal vision. You’re more likely to retain your vision if a tear or hole is treated before detachment develops or if a retinal detachment is treated before the central part of the retina (macula) detaches. The most important thing you can do is see your ophthalmologist at the first sign of retinal detachment.

Eyecare Medical Group provides diagnosis and treatment of Retinal Tears and Retinal Detachment in Maine and is conveniently located for patients in need of Retinal Surgery from Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Scarborough, Freeport, Lewiston, Augusta, Bangor, Waterville, Bath, Wiscasset, Bridgeton, Cumberland Center, Yarmouth, Topsham, Brunswick, Auburn, Gardiner, Winslow and Skowhegan Maine.

Retinal Detachment & Tears – Resources and Updates