Retina Care and Treatment

The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. You can think of the retina as the film that lines the back of a camera.

Retinal Detachment

This disease occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be if the film were loose inside a camera. If this is left untreated blindness could occur.

The middle of the eye is filled with a clear gel, vitreous. As we get older, the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Normally, the vitreous separates from the retina without causing problems. At times however, the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places.

Fluid may pass through the retinal tear, lifting the retina off the back of the eye, like wallpaper can pull off a wall.

The following conditions increase risk of retinal detachment.

1. Nearsightedness
2. Previous cataract surgery
3. Glaucoma
4. Severe injury
5. Previous retinal detachment in you other eye
6. Family history of retinal detachment
7. Weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your ophthalmologist

The following symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal detachment;

• Flashing lights
• New floaters
• Gray curtain moving across your field of vision

These symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment, but your ophthalmologist should see you as soon as possible.

Treatment

Retinal tears need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), which seals the retina to the back wall of the eye. In some cases it can be observed without treatment. Almost all patients with retinal detachments require surgery to put the retina back in its proper position.

Our retinal specialist comes down from Wills Eye Hospital. He can help explain the various conditions, treatment, surgical procedures benefits and risks involved. Call our office to schedule and appointment.

Some retinal conditions include retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

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