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The Risk of Ignoring Signs of Retinal Damage

It may begin as a few dark specks or wavy lines floating across the field of vision, or lightning-like flashes in the corner of the eye. Although painless and often no cause for alarm, such symptoms can signal a tear in the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that processes light and sends images to the brain. In most cases, unless treated promptly, a tear can progress to permanent vision loss.

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Featured

 Retinal Detachment: A Painless But Urgent Medical Emergency

While on the surface that may seem like a good thing, ophthalmologists say the painlessness associated with the condition is more of a curse than a blessing, as it sometimes keeps people from seeking treatment as soon as they should.

Articles of Interest

Retinal Detachment: My Personal Story

I have decided to blog about my experience with a detached retina from a patient standpoint in hopes to help out others who are going through the same situation or to help you know the signs of a detached retina.

Act Fast to Save Sight if Signs of Danger to the Retina Appear

Retinal detachment is painless but nearly always causes symptoms, often before the detachment starts: a sudden appearance of many “floaters” — spots, hairs or strings — in your vision; sudden brief flashes of light even when your eyes are closed; or a shadow over part of your visual field.

Eye Opener

Floaters and flashing lights? It could be a retinal detachment.

Floaters, Retinal Tears, and Retinal Detachments

Retinal detachments can be repaired in one of several ways, depending upon the specific nature of the retinal detachment, other ocular findings, and patient preferences...

My Very Own Miracle

Strange how life can throw us a curve and suddenly we are immersed in a world we knew nothing of. In my case it was eye trouble.

Seeing floaters or flashing lights can be caused by posterior vitreous or retinal detachment

A new onset of floaters does not necessarily mean a retinal detachment. Floaters can also represent vitreous synergisms- a normal age-related degeneration of the vitreous, or could represent the presence red blood cells or white blood cells in the jelly. Both of these are also very serious problems and so anyone with new floaters should be taken seriously.

The Unexpected Yoga Lessons of Retinal Detachment

After a trip to India to study yoga more in depth, I returned home only to find the real yoga was about to begin.

Though rare, retinal detachments put vision at risk; immediate care required

Despite the low prevalence, Choudhry says a detached retina remains a "complicated condition" with only one right course of action: Seek immediate medical attention, ideally from an eye specialist.

What you can do about floaters and flashes in the eye

Retinal tears and detachments are painless. Key warning signs include: •a new onset of floaters and flashes •gradual shading of vision from one side (like a curtain being drawn) •rapid decline in sharp, central vision. This occurs when the macula — the area of the retina responsible for central vision — detaches.

When ‘floaters’ in your field of vision are a sign of deeper medical issues

A sudden cascade of new floaters, plus the presence of quick flashes of light at the edge of your vision are two red flags that something might be seriously wrong. In particular, the flashes may indicate that the vitreous is tugging on the retina.

Resources

Retinal Detachment - My Story

This blog is my diary and story of my experience of retinal detachment.

American Academy of Ophthalmology

A retinal tear or a detached retina is repaired with a surgical procedure. Based on your specific condition, your ophthalmologist will discuss the type of procedure recommended and will tell you about the various risks and benefits of your treatment options.

American Society of Retina Specialists

Based on the characteristics of the detachment, a retina specialist can determine which approach is most suitable. In general, retinal detachment repairs succeed in about 9 out of 10 cases, though sometimes more than one procedure is required to successfully put the retina back into place.

Digital Journal of Ophthalmology

With current methods, about 9 out of 10 retina detachments can be repaired. Because the detachment may damage the retina, most people do not get back perfect vision.

Patient

In a large number of people, RD is preceded by a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) - the end point of a lifetime of normal, age-related degenerative liquefaction and shrinkage of the vitreous. Patients with a PVD carry a 10-15% risk of going on to develop an RD, as the PVD may cause a tear in the retina.

StatPearls

There are three categories of retinal detachment: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments are the most common and are caused by fluid passing from the vitreous cavity via a retinal tear or break into the potential space between the sensory retina and the RPE.