The retina is the thin, light sensitive tissue on the eye’s inner lining. A healthy retina is required for clear vision; hence retinal tears that form in the retina can lead to retinal detachment and severe vision loss.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency in which the retina pulls away from its normal position. The longer you wait to treat a retinal detachment, the higher the chance of permanent vision loss in the affected eye.
Most retinal tears occur spontaneously from movement and pulling of the gel inside the eye (vitreous). Even so, the following risks factors may increase the likelihood of developing retinal detachment:
A high degree of nearsightedness (myopia)
Advanced age
Lattice degeneration (thinning of the retina that happens over time)
Family history of retinal tears or detachment
Eye injury or trauma
Participation in sports that have a high risk of head injury
Prior eye surgery
A high degree of nearsightedness (myopia)
Advanced age
Lattice degeneration (thinning of the retina that happens over time)
Family history of retinal tears or detachment
Eye injury or trauma
Participation in sports that have a high risk of head injury
Prior eye surgery
A macular hole has three stages:
Symptoms of retinal detachment may be more noticeable to some than others, depending on severity. If a larger part of the retina detaches, you’re more likely to notice:
An eye exam by an eye specialist is required to diagnose retinal detachment. Eye drops that have the effect of dilating or widening the pupil will be administered by your eye doctor. Following this, your ophthalmologist may suggest further tests to have better details of your retina. The tests are:
Your eye specialist, such as those at Eyecentric, will discuss treatment options with you if tests show a detached retina or a retinal tear forming. Treatment will usually stop your vision from getting worse. The treatments are:
You can’t prevent retinal detachment, but here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:
Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing the signs or symptoms of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency in which you can permanently lose your vision.
At Eyecentric, based at Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC), you are under the best care of trained eye professionals guiding you through your concerns and providing the best advice to maintain your vision. Schedule an appointment with our professional optometrists and ophthalmologist should you have any queries on your eye health.
