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Specialities
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WHAT IS A RETINAL DETACHMENT? There are three layers in the eye. The retina is the innermost and is the layer responsible for sight. It is dependent, for its nutrition, on the next layer, the choroid. When a hole forms in the retina, fluid from inside the eye goes behind the retina, separating it from the choroid. This is known as a retinal detachment. The retina now gets damaged as it loses its nutrition from the choroid. In due course of time, the fluid between the retina and the choroid spreads and the entire retina gets detached, leading to blindness. POINTS TO NOTE REGARDING RETINAL DETACHMENTS 1. Patients with high short-sightedness are more likely to develop a retinal detachment. It may also occur after an injury. 2. The detachment can be prevented by sealing the hole in the retina BEFORE fluid goes behind the retina. This is a minor laser treatment and the visual results are very good. 3. Once the fluid has gone behind the retina, the ONLY treatment is surgery. This is a major operation and the results are not always good, being dependent on how long and how extensively the retina has been detached. 4. The best preventive measure is to have a yearly retinal examination, especially if you are wearing high-powered glasses. More information here |
