Retinal Conditions

The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the back of the eye. If the eye is compared to a camera, the retina is like the film in the back of the camera. Light is focused onto the retina by the cornea and lens.

Retinal Detachment
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina lifts off the back of the eye, like wallpaper peeling off a wall. The retina ceases to function properly when it is detached and will become permanently damaged if not reattached. It is a serious eye problem that requires prompt attention. Retinal detachment will affect one person in every ten thousand people each year.

Vitreous Detachment
A vitreous detachment is not the same as a retinal detachment. Vitreous detachment is a normal result of aging which eventually occurs in most people and only occasionally causes a problem.

During a vitreous detachment, the vitreous may pull hard enough on theretina to create a retinal tear. For this reason, any patient who experiencesnew floaters or flashing lights should see an ophthalmologist immediatelyto exclude a torn retina.

Symptoms of a Retinal Detachment
When the retina detaches there is loss of vision corresponding to the area of detachment. Most patients first see a “curtain”, “shadow”, or “veil”in their side vision. As the detachment progresses, more of the visionis lost. If the centre of the retina, called the macula, detaches, then the ability to see fine detail will be lost and the vision will become blurred. If the entire retina detaches rapidly, there may be a sudden,total loss of vision.

If the retina tears across a blood vessel there will be bleeding into the vitreous. This is called a vitreous haemorrhage and may be seen as a “swarm of flies” or “streaks” in the vision. A large haemorrhage may cause sudden loss of vision.

A retinal detachment does not change the appearance of the outside of the eye and is not painful.

Risk factors for developing a retinal detachment

1. Middle to older age
2. Short-sightedness (Myopia)
3. Past injury to the eye
4. Diabetes with advanced proliferative retinopathy
5. Family history of retinal detachment
6. Cataract surgery. There is a 1-2% risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery
7. Weak areas in the retina as identified by an ophthalmologist
8. Retinal detachment in the opposite eye