What is a retinal detachment?
A retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss. Although treatment can help, the longer the condition is untreated, the greater the risk of vision loss.
Signs and symptoms
- New floaters, which may appear as lines, specs, or cobwebs
- Flashes of light in the eye
- A dark shadow in the middle of your field of vision or side vision
- Symptoms may develop suddenly
What to do if you have symptoms
Risks and causes
- Aging: As we age, the gel-like substance in the eye may pull away from the retina.
- Eye Injury: Having a serious eye injury, such as a trauma or a blow to the eye, can lead to a retinal detachment.
- Eye surgery: Having past eye surgery, such as surgery for glaucoma, can increase your risk.
- Past history: Having a history of a past retinal detachment or having a family member with a retinal detachment also increases your risk.
- Diabetes: A history of diabetic retinopathy increases your risk.
- Some uncommon eye diseases: Certain eye conditions, such as retinoschisis, which occurs when the retina separates into two layers, also increase your risk.
Treatment
After surgery, depending on the type of procedure you had, you may have to keep your head in a certain position while the eye heals. You may also need to avoid certain activities, such as intense exercise.
Prevention
It is also helpful to have a dilated eye exam every year. A dilated eye exam can help your eye doctor identify small tears or the start of a retinal detachment before it becomes severe.
If you have any questions about retinal detachment, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.