What does a detached retina feel like?

Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The professional term for retinal detachment is "retinal detachment." It primarily refers to the separation between the neuroepithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. Early manifestations of retinal detachment may include mild vision loss, accompanied by floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow that obscures vision. As the condition progresses, symptoms gradually worsen, and when the macular area of the retina is involved, significant vision loss occurs.

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Written by Xiao Yang Yan
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Symptoms of secondary retinal detachment

The symptoms of a secondary retinal detachment are actually not much different from the first detachment; it's like a fixed shadow. Therefore, if you have ever experienced retinal detachment, you can cover one eye and use the other eye to check the visible range. Remember what range you can see now and then pay attention to any changes in the future. This way, you can clearly understand the changes in your field of vision. In the early stages, there may be an increased sensation of flashing lights or some floating dark shadows, so if these symptoms appear, it is important to go to the hospital for an examination.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
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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.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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Can you take a plane with a detached retina?

Retinal detachment and flying are divided into pre-surgery and post-surgery considerations. Before retinal detachment surgery, it is generally permissible to fly, as this typically does not significantly impact the symptoms of retinal detachment. However, what occurs after the surgery must be considered. If, after surgery, only silicone oil is used as a filler, flying is permissible as it does not affect pressure changes. However, if an inert gas is used as a filler after retinal detachment surgery, it can expand due to changes in air pressure at high altitudes. This expansion increases its volume, which can alter the internal pressure of the eye, potentially compressing the eyeball and the retina, leading to ischemia of the central retinal artery. In such cases, where inert or expansible gases are filled within the eye, flying is not advisable until the gas has dissipated.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
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Is retinal detachment a minor surgery?

Retinal detachment surgery is considered major surgery in ophthalmology, where retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium from the pigment epithelium. There are many surgical methods for retinal detachment, including external scleral buckling, internal vitrectomy, gas injection into the vitreous, and the use of silicone oil, among others. Generally, internal procedures carry a greater risk than external ones. Retinal detachments can be categorized into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment usually requires surgical treatment and is commonly seen in cases of high myopia, artificial intraocular lenses, aphakia, and ocular trauma that cause retinal detachment. Non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment can be divided into tractional retinal detachment and exudative retinal detachment. Tractional retinal detachment often requires surgical treatment, whereas exudative retinal detachment usually does not require surgery.

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Written by Li Zhuo
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How many days does retinal detachment surgery take?

Retinal detachment surgery is divided into internal and external approaches. Generally, the surgery takes about one to two hours, or two to three hours. One method involves compressing from the outside of the eardrum, pushing the eardrum inward to reattach the retina, while the other involves operating from inside the vitreous body outward to adhere the retina to the choroid. The recovery time for these surgeries generally reaches a stable condition from one to three months. The duration of the surgery depends on the complexity of the condition; it can be as quick as just over half an hour in simple cases, or up to two to three hours in complex cases. Postoperative vision recovery primarily depends on the duration and morphology of the retinal detachment, as well as the proliferation conditions of the detached retina and the vitreous body.