Retinal Detachment
This patient noticed a dark shadow spreading across his vision due to a retinal detachment. Normally the retina looks red or orange when it is attached. This shows the grey detached retina that is lifted towards my instruments, just before I reattach the retina.
What is Retinal Detachment?
The retina is the part of the eye which senses light. It lines the inside wall of the eye and needs be attached for you to see. In a retinal detachment, a defect in the retina allows fluid that normally circulates in the centre of the eye to get between the retina and the inside wall of the eye. The defect is usually a retinal tear caused by natural ageing processes inside the eye.
What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
As the fluid gets between the retina and the inside wall of the eye, and the retina detaches from the inner wall, the retina stops working. You will notice a grey shadow or curtain that develops at the edge of your vision. This shadow will spread across your vision as the detachment worsens. In most cases, there is a risk of loss of sight in the affected eye.
In a minority of cases, an asymptomatic retinal detachment is identified at a routine eye check. These tend to be longstanding retinal detachments that have stabilised.
How do you treat retinal detachment?
Asymptomatic retinal detachments may be observed or if small, treated with laser treatment.
If the retinal detachment is symptomatic, large or progressing, then surgery is required to prevent sight loss.
What is involved in retinal detachment surgery?
There are two main surgical techniques for retinal detachment surgery. A vitrectomy repairs the retinal detachment from the inside of the eye using microscopic instruments that pass through the white of the eye. The retinal defects are sealed using laser or freezing treatment and a gas or oil bubble is introduced to support the retina while it heals. This is usually performed as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic and usually lasts 60 minutes.
Scleral buckling (or cryo/buckle) repairs the retinal detachment from the outside of the eye. A small piece of silicone rubber or buckle is sutured to the wall of the eye. This is not visible after the operation. The buckle pushes the wall of the eye towards the detached retina and freezing treatment seals the defect. This is usually performed under general anaesthesia and lasts 90 minutes.
Both procedures have similar success rates with most retinal detachments repaired with one operation. The choice of the operation used is dependent on the type of detachment present.
Where will surgery take place?
If you require surgery for retinal detachment, I operate at the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital.
How long will my recovery be after surgery?
I usually recommend a recovery period of two weeks. This can include adopting a certain body position for one week to help the retina repair. These timings vary depending on the detachment and type of surgery used.