Treatment methods for retinal detachment

Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Retinal detachment surgery primarily refers to the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. There are two methods of treatment: one is external surgery, also known as scleral buckling. This involves using a compressive object to indent the sclera to support the choroid, and then employing cryotherapy to create a sterile adhesion between the choroid and the retina, thus treating the retinal detachment. Another method is internal surgery, also known as vitreoretinal surgery. This procedure involves making three incisions in the flat part of the sclera, removing the vitreous from the inside, flattening the retina with heavy water, and using a laser to create a sterile adhesion between the retina and the choroid. Currently, the surgical treatment for retinal detachment consists of these two approaches: internal and external surgeries.

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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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When is the second surgery for retinal detachment?

The question you asked is about when the second surgery for retinal detachment should take place, which implies that the first surgery for retinal detachment failed, necessitating a second surgery. Due to the proliferation of the retina, which generally peaks around two to three weeks, it is recommended that if the first surgery fails, the second surgery should be conducted about 10-14 days after the first surgery, which is about half a month later. This timing can help reduce the failure rate of the surgery and avoid the peak proliferation period of the retina.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can a retinal detachment be treated after one year?

If retinal detachment is discovered or diagnosed only after a year, the effectiveness of surgical treatment tends to be poorer. However, if there is no eyeball atrophy, no corneal, lens, or vitreous abnormalities at this time, surgery to reposition the retina can still be considered first, followed by assessment of vision recovery. Additionally, an ophthalmic examination should be conducted, including tests like uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular B-ultrasound, and fundus photography, to decide and predict the outcome of the surgery and post-operative conditions. Nevertheless, even if a year has passed since the retinal detachment occurred, active treatment should still be pursued, and one should not give up.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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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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Written by Zheng Xin
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What does a detached retina feel like?

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.