Common Questions After My Retinal Detachment Experience

My experience with retinal detachment is something many people search for. Retinal detachment is an eye problem that happens when the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye) is pulled away from its normal position.  

If only a small area of the retina detaches, you may not notice any symptoms. But if a larger part detaches, you may lose clear vision and suddenly develop other symptoms, including:

– A lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines drifting across your vision)  

– Flashes of light in one or both eyes  

– A dark shadow or “curtain” coming across the sides or the middle of your field of vision  

Read also: Burning Eyes | Causes, Treatment, and the Best Eye Drops for Eye Irritation  

Questions about my experience with retinal detachment revolve around the following:

What is the most common cause of retinal detachment?

The most common causes of retinal detachment are aging and eye injury. There are three main types of retinal detachment, each with its own features and causes:

Tractional Retinal Detachment

This type occurs when scar tissue on the surface of the retina pulls it away from the back of the eye. It’s most commonly seen in people with diabetes because diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina.

Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD)

This is the most common type of retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous (reg-ma-TAH-juh-nus) detachment is associated with a hole or tear in the retina. Jelly-like fluid inside the eye (the vitreous) can pass through this opening and collect behind the retina, pushing it away from the back of the eye until it detaches.  

While trauma and eye surgery can cause it, aging is the most common reason for RRD.

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Exudative Retinal Detachment

Similar to RRD, exudative retinal detachment involves fluid collecting behind the retina. However, in this type there is no hole or tear. As the fluid builds up, it pushes the retina away from the back of the eye, eventually causing detachment.  

This type is usually caused by swelling in the eye and leaking blood vessels, often related to eye injury, inflammation, tumors, or age-related macular degeneration.

Does retinal detachment happen suddenly?

Retinal detachment can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the cause.  

If it is due to trauma or an eye injury, it usually happens suddenly. This can occur when the vitreous pulls on the retina hard enough to tear it, causing it to detach from the back of the eye.  

In age-related retinal detachment, the vitreous may pull or rub on the retina for some time before the retina finally detaches. In many cases, the vitreous tugs on the retina and causes flashes of light (one of the symptoms of retinal detachment), but no tear or detachment actually occurs.

Is retinal detachment painful?

No, retinal detachment is not painful. In fact, many people don’t feel anything at all.  

Because there is no pain, they may not realize what is happening when early warning signs appear. That’s why it is crucial to recognize the symptoms of retinal detachment—they alert you that something is wrong with your eye so you can seek medical care before severe damage occurs.

Read also: Symptoms and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Are eye flashes dangerous?

Flashes of light are a common sign of retinal detachment, but they are not always dangerous by themselves.  

When the vitreous gel inside the eye pulls, bumps, or rubs against the retina, this mechanical traction on the retinal cells can create a flash of light. In many cases, this phenomenon is harmless and not a cause for concern.  

However, if you suddenly start noticing frequent or persistent flashes of light, you should see an eye doctor. Your doctor can determine whether the flashes mean you are at risk for, or already showing signs of, retinal detachment.

Is retinal detachment an emergency?

Yes. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention.  

While there is no need to panic, the symptoms of retinal detachment must never be ignored. If you develop these symptoms, contact an ophthalmologist right away and describe what you are experiencing.  

If your symptoms are due to retinal detachment, delaying prompt evaluation and timely retinal detachment surgery can lead to permanent vision loss and even blindness.

Can retinal detachment heal on its own?

No. Retinal detachment cannot heal on its own.  

Treating retinal detachment requires surgery to reattach the retina to the back of the eye and restore blood flow to it; the eye cannot do this by itself.  

However, small retinal tears can sometimes form scar tissue around their edges that helps prevent the tear from getting worse. In such limited cases, surgery may not be necessary.

Is retinal detachment after eye surgery always the surgeon’s fault?

How will the eye doctor examine retinal detachment?

If you notice any warning signs of retinal detachment, your doctor can examine your eyes with a dilated eye exam.  

They will put special drops in your eye to widen (dilate) your pupil, then look at your retina at the back of your eye. This test is usually painless. The doctor may gently press on your eyelids to check for any retinal tears, which some people may find slightly uncomfortable.  

If your ophthalmologist still needs more information after the dilated exam, you may have an ultrasound scan or an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan of the eye. Both tests are painless and help the doctor see the exact position of the retina.

What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?

What is the most important warning sign of retinal detachment?

Sudden onset of floaters, bright flashes of light, and/or blurred or reduced vision are among the most serious warning signs of retinal detachment.  

Do not ignore any of these signs. You should see an eye doctor immediately to prevent vision loss.  

And just as you would go to the nearest specialized hospital right away if you noticed worrying signs of a heart attack, you should act just as quickly with alarming eye symptoms.

Can retinal detachment be prevented?

Finally, if you have any problems with your eyes or vision, book an appointment now and come in for the best medical care at some of the fastest and most advanced eye clinics in Jeddah.