The eyes are made up of several parts to help you see clearly. Among them is the retina, or the layer of tissue in the back of each eye that receives focused light from the lens. It transforms this light into neural signals, which are sent to the brain through the optic nerve for visual processing. Retinal detachment is an eye condition where this tissue detaches from its position. Here's what you should know about the vision issue and what treatments are available. 

What Is Retinal Detachment?

Retinal cells separate from nourishing blood vessels for several reasons, including scar tissue development from health issues like diabetes. Detachment can also occur because of age-related macular degeneration that allows fluid to build up behind the retina and causes detachment. Eye injuries, inflammatory disorders, and tumors also cause this fluid accumulation. Retinal detachment could also be caused by age-related rhegmatogenous detachments where tears or holes develop in the tissue from the vitreous shrinking or liquefying. The vitreous is a gel-like substance within the eye. 

Risk factors for retinal detachment include advanced age, previous trauma to the eyes, a family history of retinal issues, and prior eye surgery, such as cataract surgery. Other risk factors include severe nearsightedness, or myopia, and previous eye conditions or diseases, such as thinning of the peripheral retina. 

How Is It Treated?

Diagnostic testing determines whether retinal detachment has occurred, though photographing the retina can also take place for an exact diagnosis. Surgery is the typical treatment for this serious eye issue that can cause photopsia, or brief flashes of light outside of central vision, shadows in peripheral vision, and floaters, or eye debris with a stringy, transparent appearance. This could include scleral buckle surgery, where a tiny silicone band is affixed to the outside of the eye to move it closer to the retinal tear. The band is designed to close the tear permanently and usually includes a freezing treatment that creates a scar tissue seal. 

Other treatments for retinal detachment include vitrectomy procedures, where the vitreous fluid is removed and a bubble of gas, air, or oil is inserted to push the retina back into place. Laser therapy is also used to seal small retinal tears before they have the chance to enlarge. 

If you need your retina examined or it is simply time for your next eye exam, contact Middletown Tri-State Eye. Serving the Tri-State area, including Middletown, NY, and Milford, PA, this vision center offers a comprehensive range of services to keep the eyes of area residents healthy. Call (845) 703-2020 today to make an appointment or learn more about their services online.