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

Written by Li Zhuo

Ophthalmology

Updated on September 11, 2024

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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.

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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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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.

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Ophthalmology

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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.

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Ophthalmology

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Is retinal detachment serious?

Retinal detachment is a very serious disease that affects vision, causing a black fog to appear in front of the eyes that significantly impairs visual function. If retinal detachment is not treated promptly, the eye will gradually lose vision until it finally loses all perception of sight. There are currently three causes of retinal detachment. The common cause is rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which refers to the appearance of a tear in the retina leading to its detachment. Another type is tractional retinal detachment, commonly seen in diabetic retinopathy and other proliferative retinal disorders, where the retina is pulled away. There is also exudative retinal detachment. All require careful examination by a qualified doctor followed by timely treatment.

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Ophthalmology

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Can retinal detachment heal by itself?

Retinal detachment refers to the separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. Based on its cause, it can be categorized into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, tractional retinal detachment, and exudative retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment requires repositioning of the retina and closure of the break. If it is tractional retinal detachment, it is necessary to remove the cause, generally requiring vitrectomy and retinal reposition surgery. Exudative retinal detachment generally occurs due to inflammation or other irritations causing exudation or bleeding in the retina, resulting in detachment, typically without retinal breaks. This type of retinal detachment only requires treatment for the underlying disease, and aggressive treatment of the primary disease can generally lead to a cure. Therefore, retinal detachment must be treated; it cannot heal on its own.