Can retinal detachment heal by itself?

Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Zhuo
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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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Does retinal detachment cause eye pain?

After retinal detachment, there is usually no pain in the eye. Symptoms include low ocular pressure, blurred vision, and visual field defects, which means seeing things partially or missing a half. In such cases, it is important to actively seek an ophthalmological examination. This includes checking the uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, eye ultrasound, and fundus photography. Once diagnosed, it is crucial to undergo surgery as soon as possible. The earlier the surgery is performed, the better the potential recovery of vision. Generally, there is a high possibility of restoring vision after surgery.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Causes of Retinal Detachment

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.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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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.

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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.