What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
Patients are often concerned about the possibility of a retinal detachment when they experience blurred vision. In the eye clinic, I discuss the symptoms of retinal detachment on a daily basis. This is for good reason, as a retinal detachment is an eye emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment by a skilled ophthalmologist. The retina is the sensitive and delicate brain tissue which lines the eyeball and allows you use to see. If you can imagine, the retina is only about 0.2-0.3 mm thick! This thin tissue is critical for sight.
If a break in the retina occurs, fluid from within the center of the eyeball can move under the retina and cause a retinal detachment. I like the analogy of wallpaper being stripped from a wall when speaking to patients about retinal detachment. First, a small bubble or break may form in the wallpaper. Slowly over time, humidity and moisture cause the wallpaper to strip from the hard surface underneath it. When a retina detaches, fluid forms underneath it and damages the cells we use for vision within the retina (photoreceptors). Damage to the photoreceptors is the reason for vision loss and blindness; this sometimes still happens even after a retina detachment is repaired.
Who is at risk for a retinal detachment?
Risk factors for retinal detachment include high nearsightedness (myopia), recent cataract surgery, trauma, and a family history of retinal detachment. Patients with known “weak areas” in the retina such as lattice degeneration or retinal hole are also at increased risk.
Retinal detachments are painless and often occur suddenly. Typically a patient experiences new floaters or cobwebs in the vision which are accompanied by flashes of light. The vision may become blurred. More advanced findings are the loss of peripheral visual field and blindness. Some people describe it as a “shade” or “curtain” that expands over time toward the central vision. Hopefully, a patient will seek care before this “shade” or visual field loss is noted as these are more serious symptoms.
What are the warning signs of a retinal detachment?
Remember to call your ophthalmologist immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:
- new flashes in your eye
- new or worsening eye floaters
- blurred vision in one eye
- loss of peripheral vision
- a “curtain-like” shadow in your vision
Fortunately, most retinal detachments can be fixed with eye surgery. The key to a good visual prognosis is early detection and treatment. If you feel you may be experiencing a retinal detachment, call 941-777-5000 today or schedule a consultation here.