Most people in the modern world cannot imagine their life without a visible perception of others. This is possible thanks to the functioning organs of vision - the eyes. The group of ophthalmic diseases is very diverse. They develop due to the inevitable aging of the body, as well as under the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors. Among these pathologies that affect the quality of vision, there is a retinal tear. Is it serious?
Talk about anatomy
The retina is the thinnest sensitive tissue that performs the function of perceiving light. It consists of rods and cones. Their main function is to continuously convert the energy of light impulses and their transformation into the brain, as a result of which a person perceives objects of surrounding reality.
The front region of the retina ends with a dentate line. She, in turn, fits snugly against the ciliary body. On the other hand, the retina is in contact with the vitreous. Note that throughout its length it loosely connects to many tissues. However, the strongest adhesion is fixed in the macula, along the frame of the dentate line and around the optic nerve.
The thickness of the retina in each area varies. For example, in the area of the dentate line it is about 0.14 mm, next to the corpus luteum - 0.07 mm. Given the anatomical features described above, the logical conclusion is that retinal tears can occur anywhere.
Classification
The classification of this pathology is closely related to the causes of its occurrence. In modern medicine, it is customary to distinguish four types of retinal rupture.
- Perforated. It is formed in places of the greatest thinning of tissue in the area of the so-called peripheral vision. Lack of timely treatment can lead to detachment.
- Valve. The main cause of the pathology is the fusion of the retina directly with the vitreous. The mechanism for the development of this process is as follows. The fluid gradually flows out of the vitreous body and falls under the retina. It puts pressure on the membrane, as a result of which the latter is disconnected from the retina. In the area of the former fusion numerous gaps appear.
- Separation of the retina along the dentate line. Pathology develops as a result of a violation of the full interaction of the retina with the ciliary body.
- Macular. Pathology is usually formed in the zone of central vision. If timely assistance is not provided to the patient, the likelihood of loss of vision increases.
Retinal Macular Tear
Age-related changes observed in the vitreous body, its gradual separation from the retina - these are the main causes of the macular opening. Otherwise, this kind of gap is called idiopathic, or spontaneous.
In 10% of cases, this pathology is formed due to an earlier eye injury. It appears as a result of a shock wave breaking directly through the eyeball, which inevitably leads to the detachment of the central region.
In addition, the development of this pathology is often due to surgical treatment of the regmatogenous variant of retinal detachment. This complication occurs in one percent of patients. Experts attribute its appearance to a violation of hydraulic pressure, the development of epiretinal fibrosis.
Macular rupture is diagnosed mainly in the fair sex from 55 to about 65 years old. In 12% of cases, the pathology is bilateral in nature.
Why can rupture of the retina occur?
The causes of this pathology are supplemented by factors that exacerbate the overall clinical picture and lead to the development of retinal detachment. These include:
- excessive physical activity;
- injuries and mechanical damage to the eyes ;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- high blood pressure;
- advanced age;
- sharp bends and jumps;
- weight lifting.
Retinal rupture often occurs due to impaired full circulation and with age-related aging of the eyeball. The risk group includes pregnant women, people with a hereditary predisposition to dystrophic changes in the organs of vision, as well as those suffering from moderate / severe myopia.
What symptoms should alert?
The smallest tears of the retina for a long time may not be manifested by pronounced signs. They do not differ in characteristic symptoms, so patients rarely come to an ophthalmologist. The following symptoms should be noted.
- The appearance of flashes, sparks in front of the eyes. This is especially noticeable in a dark room.
- "Flies" before the eyes. Such a sign indicates the onset of detachment or the involvement of the smallest blood vessels in the pathological process.
- Visual impairment or distortion of visible objects occurs when the gap extends to the central zone of the eye.
- The appearance of a characteristic cloudy curtain from one edge. Such a symptom indicates the beginning of the pathological process and requires the immediate assistance of an ophthalmologist.
Some patients note that after resting for a certain time, all symptoms disappear. Experts explain this by the fact that a person’s prolonged stay in one horizontal position contributes to the “straightening” of the retina. This condition in medical practice is called imaginary well-being. After a while, all symptoms return again.
Diagnostic measures
The above symptoms of pathology clearly manifest themselves relatively rarely. To identify tears in the retina of the eye, to fix their localization, to determine the number and size only an ophthalmologist can do. For successful diagnosis, the specialist requires the following manipulations:
- inspection by means of a slit lamp;
- a detailed study of the structure of the fundus;
- Ultrasound of the eye.
Based on the results of a full examination of the patient, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment.
Principles of Therapy
With a pathology such as rupture of the retina, treatment is possible only by surgery. After the doctor confirms the diagnosis, therapy should be started immediately. Postponing a visit to a doctor or attempting an independent treatment may result in total blindness.
Currently, experts offer several options for the operation.
- Laser coagulation. This method of surgical intervention is most often used, because it allows you to completely eliminate the gap in the retina. The operation is performed using local anesthesia and special coagulant lasers. They affect certain areas, which entails a local increase in temperature. As a result, multiple microburns are formed, thereby achieving retinal fusion directly with the choroid. The entire operation lasts no more than 30 minutes and does not require a recovery period in a hospital.
- Pneumatic retinopexy. The essence of this procedure is as follows: immediately after anesthesia, the doctor introduces a small gas bubble into the vitreous cavity. Its main function is to retain the retina inextricably with the choroid. After approximately 14 days, it is finally fixed by cryopexy or laser coagulation.
- Vitrectomy is a very complex operation. Her help is usually resorted to when there is a macular rupture of the retina. Treatment in this case involves the replacement of the vitreous body first with special silicone oil, and then with saline.
Sometimes, in order to achieve a lasting positive effect, several consecutive operations are required. Such patients usually become frequent guests in the ophthalmologist’s office, as they are more likely to have repeated tears.
Postoperative Recovery
After surgery, the doctor puts a special bandage on the eye, which can only be removed the next day. If during the manipulation the patient feels that an air tamponade has got into the eye, do not be afraid of a sharp decrease in vision. In the course of the operation, it will be gradually removed using a fluid specially designed for washing the eyes. Usually, the doctor reports all the complications.
Depending on what approach the specialist used to eliminate the retinal rupture, after surgery, stay in a hospital does not exceed three days. The doctor must tell you what ointments to apply to the affected area, how to properly care for it. If complications arise after discharge (nausea, severe pain in the eye, visual impairment), you should immediately contact an ophthalmologist for help.
The consequences of pathology
Retinal tears can lead to a number of serious complications, the most common of which is its detachment. In this case, laser coagulation is ineffective. Specialists have to resort to vitrectomy or surgery to fill the sclera with a silicone sponge.
After surgery, such patients are advised to be constantly monitored by an ophthalmologist to minimize the likelihood of relapse. It is advisable to avoid intense sports and serious stress.
Preventive actions
To prevent rupture of the retina of the eye, the consequences in the form of its detachment, it is important to observe elementary preventive measures. First of all, it is recommended to monitor health and regularly visit an ophthalmologist. It is necessary to adhere to the correct mode of work and rest, not to spend most of the free time at the computer monitor.
People with high blood pressure or diabetes should monitor their blood pressure and glucose levels. If there are symptoms that indicate this pathology, it is important to immediately seek medical help, because the bill can go literally on the clock.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about what constitutes a rupture of the retina. Is it serious? This is exactly the question that patients are asked by whom the doctor made a similar diagnosis. Of course, any health problem in the absence of proper treatment is a danger. Retinal tearing is no exception. That is why it is so important, when the primary signs of pathology appear, to seek qualified help, not to delay a visit to a specialist.
We hope that the information presented in this article will be really useful for you. Be healthy!