|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Detached and Torn Retina |
A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless
treated. The appearance of flashing lights, floating objects, or a gray curtain moving across
he field of vision are all indications of a retinal detachment. If any of these occur, see an ophthalmologist right away.
|
|
As one gets older, the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance that fills the inside of the
eye, tends to shrink slightly and take on a more watery consistency. Sometimes as the
vitreous shrinks it exerts enough force on the retina to make it tear.
|
|
Retinal tears increase the chance of developing a retinal detachment. Fluid vitreous,
passing through the tear, lifts the retina off the back of the eye like wallpaper peeling
off a wall. Laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing) are often used to seal retinal tears and
prevent detachment.
|
If the retina is detached, it must be reattached before sealing the retinal tear.
There are three ways to repair retinal detachments. Pneumatic retinopexy involves injecting
a special gas bubble into the eye that pushes on the retina to seal the tear. The scleral
buckle procedure requires the fluid to be drained from under the retina before a flexible
piece of silicone is sewn on the outer eye wall to give support to the tear while it heals.
Vitrectomy surgery removes the vitreous gel from the eye, replacing it with a gas bubble,
which is slowly replaced by the body's fluids.
|
|
| |
|
