Causes of Retinal Detachment

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 02, 2024
00:00
00:00

Retinal detachment can be categorized into three main types: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is commonly seen in the elderly, highly myopic individuals, those having undergone trauma to the eye leading to the absence of the natural lens or having artificial lens implants, and those with a history of retinal detachment or a family history of the condition, which are risk factors. Tractional retinal detachment is caused by proliferative membranes pulling on the retina. It is observed in conditions like diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, and other ischemic retinal diseases leading to neovascular membranes, or due to proliferative scarring from penetrating eye injuries. Exudative retinal detachment typically occurs in conditions such as Coat’s disease, uveitis, and malignant hypertension.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
49sec home-news-image

Is vitreous floaters close to retinal detachment?

Floater syndrome and retinal detachment generally have no necessary connection. Floater syndrome is the clouding of the vitreous body. Mild vitreous clouding does not affect vision and manifests as floating objects in front of the eyes. Pathological vitreous clouding that affects vision requires further examination by an ophthalmologist, including an ocular B-ultrasound to diagnose the extent of the vitreous clouding, and proactive treatment should be administered. Retinal detachment generally involves the separation of the retina from the choroid. Once a clear diagnosis of detachment is made, active treatment should be pursued promptly to restore vision as soon as possible. If the treatment is delayed, it can easily lead to retinal atrophy, resulting in the shrinkage of the eyeball.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

What is the vision like after the removal of silicone oil for retinal detachment?

Silicone oil is temporarily used to support the retina in our eyes, and its refractive power is roughly equivalent to that of a 600-degree pair of glasses. Thus, if you are not myopic, you might become nearsighted after the silicone oil is used. After the retina detaches and the silicone oil is removed, the vision mainly depends on the function of the retina, which has no relation to the silicone oil. Just as with myopia, wearing a pair of glasses might change the vision, but once the glasses are removed, the vision will revert to the retina's vision. Therefore, it mainly depends on how much vision was left before the retina detached. The recovery of the retinal function and the optic nerve function is related, and this doesn't have much to do with the silicone oil. The vision primarily depends on the remaining function of the retina.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

Retinal detachment refers to the condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position.

The structure of the human eye consists of three layers: the sclera, the choroid, and the retina. Retinal detachment is not actually a separation between the retina and the choroid, but rather a separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina, which means it is a detachment between the inner nine layers and the outermost layer of the retina. Retinal detachment can be classified into three types: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which is mainly caused by a tear in the retina allowing the vitreous fluid to enter the subretinal space; tractional retinal detachment, which occurs due to vitreous and retinal proliferation exerting traction on the retina, commonly seen in diabetic retinal detachment; and exudative retinal detachment, which is caused by accumulation of fluid between layers due to abnormal choroiditis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
52sec home-news-image

Does nearsightedness imaging fall in front of or behind the retina?

The image in a nearsighted eye forms in front of the retina, whereas in farsighted eyes, the image forms behind the retina. Nearsightedness means seeing clearly up close but blurry at a distance. When nearsighted, appropriate measures such as pupil dilation, optometric examination, and corrective lenses should be taken, or orthokeratology may be used. Once the degree stabilizes and no further progression occurs, surgical treatment can be considered after the age of 18. When the eye is unaccommodative, and parallel light rays enter, they focus in front of the retina. After these occurrences, with proactive treatment and proper rest, efforts should be made to prevent further increase in the degree. Especially in children, attention should also be paid to the development of strabismus and amblyopia.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
36sec home-news-image

Can you swim after retinal detachment surgery with a lens implant?

Retinal detachment and having an implanted lens means you cannot swim, and if you wish to swim, it must be at least six months later. There are generally two types of surgeries for retinal detachment: vitrectomy with retinal repositioning, and scleral buckling. If a lens has been implanted, it means the natural lens was removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Therefore, after surgery, it is important to rest properly, maintain correct posture, attend timely follow-up appointments, monitor visual recovery and eye pressure, and use eye drops as prescribed.