The retina is located on the back of the eye. And it is she who transfers to the brain information about what a person sees. Light enters the retina through the lens, photosensitive cells fix it and transmit information to the brain. In order for the retina to perform its functions, it must fit snugly to the fundus.
The vitreous body, which consists of water and colloidal fibers, holds it in the right position. It completely fills the inner space inside the eye and presses the retina against its wall.
What is retinal detachment? Under the influence of various factors, it can move away from the back wall, as a result of which, vision deteriorates or completely disappears. In addition, the blood supply to the retina is disturbed, and due to the fact that this site does not receive the necessary nutrition, it dies. After this, the treatment will no longer give a result.
What causes retinal detachment? Most often this occurs as a result of a change in the structure of the vitreous body. Colloidal fibers are compressed, which leads to the release of water and liquefaction of the vitreous body, and, consequently, to its displacement. This process damages the retina and through these injuries fluid seeps under it and tears it off the wall. May cause detachment and eye injury.
Retinal detachment is most common in older people, although this does not mean that it cannot occur in a person before a certain age. In addition, there are some diseases that significantly increase the risk of developing this pathology. These include myopia (myopia), diabetes, age-related diseases of the retina, and inflammation of the eye. People with these diseases need to be especially careful about their vision. Unfortunately, many do not think about this, in particular because they simply do not know that a banal retinal detachment can lead to complete loss of vision. Symptoms of this disease should be known to everyone:
- flashes and sparks in peripheral vision;
- the image in the center of the review is slightly blurry;
- the appearance of a “shadow”, a transparent curtain in sight.
The sooner treatment is started, the greater the likelihood that it will be successful. That is why, having discovered at least one of the listed symptoms, everyone should immediately contact their ophthalmologist.
Depending on the degree to which retinal detachment has reached, the treatment may be different. If we are talking about small foci of detachment, then it is quite possible to get by with the laser coagulation procedure: small lesions are cauterized with a laser and, as it were, are soldered back to the back wall. This procedure is completely painless and is performed on an outpatient basis.
In case the retinal detachment is insignificant, but located so that the use of laser coagulation is not possible, extrascleral ballooning is used: a special balloon is introduced between the bone and sclera, which is pumped with air until the eye wall comes into contact with the detached region of the retina, and then laser cauterization is performed, after which the balloon is removed. This procedure requires bed rest and is carried out under constant medical supervision.
In the case of widespread retinal detachment, surgical intervention is necessary. A synthetic tape is hemmed to the outside of the eyeball, which causes the wall to bend until it comes into contact with the retina. The operation is performed in a hospital and under general anesthesia.
In the most difficult cases, the vitreous body of a person is completely replaced by oil or gas, which expand in the cavity of the eye and press the retina against the wall of the eye.
It is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. If no more than 2 weeks have passed from the time of retinal detachment to the start of treatment, then we are talking about 80% success, otherwise the risk is high that you will need repeated treatment.