Detached Retina: A Review
Retinal detachment is a sight-threatening condition resulting from the separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This condition can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes, clinical presentations, and treatment strategies for detached retina. This review summarizes the etiology, diagnosis, and management of this condition.
Etiology. Retinal detachment is typically caused by a tear or break in the retina. This tear can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, vitreoretinal traction, inflammation, or degeneration. In some cases, the tear can be caused by the formation of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), which occurs when the vitreous gel separates from the retina. Other causes of retinal detachment include myopia, lattice degeneration, and retinal breaks due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis of retinal detachment is typically made through careful examination of the fundus and through imaging of the eye. Fundus examination can reveal the presence of a retinal tear or detachment, as well as other ocular signs associated with retinal detachment. Imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography can provide further information and help confirm the diagnosis.
Management. The treatment of retinal detachment depends on the size, location, and cause of the detachment. Scleral buckling, vitrectomy, pneumatic retinopexy, and scleral buckle combined with vitrectomy are the most commonly used surgical techniques for the treatment of retinal detachment. These techniques involve the placement of a silicone band around the eye, the removal of the vitreous gel, and the injection of a gas bubble into the eye, respectively. In some cases, photocoagulation can be used to seal retinal tears and thus prevent retinal detachment.
Conclusion. Retinal detachment is a sight-threatening condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated appropriately. This review summarizes the etiology, diagnosis, and management of detached retina. Further research is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of this condition and to develop new treatment strategies.
References
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Moshfeghi, D.M., & Ciulla, T.A. (2007). Retinal detachment. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/bcscsnippetdetail.aspx?id=a09e4d30-4b03-4668-a38f-e1456c3e7c8c