Definition:
Retinal detachment is an eye disorder there the retina peels away from the core layer of supporting tissue. At first, detachment may be localized, but if not treated quickly the whole retina may be detached. This can lead to loss of vision or blindness.
Diagnosis:
Doctor checks for a tear in the retina.
Treatment:
Several treatments are available to finding and closing the hole in the detached retina using lasers and surgery. These may include: cryopexy and laser photocoagulation, scleral buckle surgery, pneumatic retinopexy and vitrectomy.
Symptoms and Signs:
Retinal detachment usually comes after a posterior vitreous detachment. Symptoms may include: photopia (brief flashes of light from the extreme peripheral part of vision), patient sees a sudden increase of floaters, and heaviness of the eyes. Severe cases also include the following symptoms: patient sees a dense shadow starting from the peripheral vision progressing to the central vision, a “veil” drawn over vision, and central vision loss.
Causes:
There are several causes for this disorder namely: posterior vitreous detachment, trauma or injury to the eye or head causing a tear in the retina. Others may be caused by medical procedures like cataract surgery. Activities that involve rapid acceleration and deceleration may also be a cause like bungee jumping, drag racing and even rollercoaster rides.
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