What is a RETINAL DETACHMENT?

A retinal detachment is where the retinal lining detaches from the back wall of the eye. This is due to a tear or a break in the lining, allowing fluid from the vitreous jelly to leak under the retinal lining, causing the retina to lift off. The retinal tear may occur due to trauma, or more commonly, due to vitreous traction from the vitreous jelly causing a rip in the retinal lining. In some cases, there may be a family history of retinal detachment. Also, high myopia (short-sightedness) may increase the risk of tears in the retina as the retina is thinner. Some patients are born with an inherited weakness in the retina causing lattice degeneration that may also pre-dispose them to a retinal detachment.

Approximately one in ten thousand people will suffer from a retinal detachment. Prior eye surgery or trauma may increase the risk.

The retinal detachment may also be associated with some haemorrhage into the vitreous jelly and the patient may note blurred vision or a reddish or pinkish tinge in their vision.

Symptoms of a retinal detachment

The patient may notice symptoms of a retinal tear or detachment, such as a sudden onset of flashes and floaters, followed by loss of vision, with the impression that there is a curtain moving up and down or sideways. They may note that vision on one side of their field has decreased. The patient may also notice that their vision is blurred.

Treatment of a retinal detachment

Treatment of a retinal detachment involves an operation. There are two methods that can be used to treat a retinal detachment.

1. Scleral buckling

A scleral buckling operation is where a reinforcing silicone band is placed on the outer wall of the eye to close the retinal tear. This is used in conjunction with cryotherapy which seals the retinal tear or break. Air or gas may be injected into the eye which also helps to close the tear or break. The scleral buckle remains in place permanently and becomes part of the eye wall. In very rare circumstances, it may need to be removed at a later date.

2. Vitrectomy surgery

Vitrectomy surgery involves the removal of the vitreous jelly which can harbour factors that cause scarring of the retina. The surgery also relieves traction in the vitreous jelly that may have caused the retinal detachment. Vitrectomy surgery uses microsurgical instruments inside the eye, enabling laser treatment to seal the retinal tear or break. Special gas is injected inside the eye to close the retinal break. This is usually absorbed over a period of six to eight weeks. Vitrectomy surgery is usually performed in conjunction with scleral buckling.

Scleral buckling surgery is usually reserved for smaller retinal detachments; usually for patients who have had no previous intraocular surgery.

Vitrectomy surgery, combined with scleral buckling surgery is usually performed in larger or more complex retinal detachments or in patients who have had former intraocular surgery.

In very severe cases of retinal detachment, where there is scarring of the detached retina, the scar is required to be removed with microsurgical instruments and long acting gas or special high grade silicone oil is required to be injected inside the eye to flatten the retinal detachment.

The length of time for surgery varies from approximately one hour for a scleral buckling operation to one and a half to three hours for a complicated case involving vitrectomy surgery and scleral buckling.

Anaesthesia

In most cases, vitrectomy surgery and scleral buckling can be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. If required, general anaesthesia can be provided.

Success rate

The success rate for retinal detachment surgery is approximately 90%. Approximately 10% may require further surgery if the retina is not attached after the first procedure. In some cases the retina may be attached initially, but the retina may scar after about 6 to 8 weeks and re-detach. Once the patient’s retina remains attached for 3 months following the surgery, the incidence of further retinal detachment is much less.

The improvement in vision will depend on the amount of retinal detachment and the length of duration of a retinal detachment prior to the surgery. Following a retinal detachment procedure, normal vision may not be fully regained. This is due to damage to the photoreceptor cells in the retinal lining.

The vision following retinal detachment surgery may continue to improve for up to a year following the surgery.