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Retinal Detachment |
Retinal Detachment
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of
tissue lining the inside of the eye. This tissue is responsible
for capturing light and sending the message to the brain through
the optic nerve. If the retina is detached from its normal
position in the eye, it can sometimes cause permanent vision loss.
Common symptoms with retinal detachments include flashes of light,
an increase in "floaters" which are tiny specks or spots that
float in your vision, or the appearance of "spiderwebs" or a shady
veil in your vision. If you experience any of these symptoms,
contact your doctor immediately as this constitutes an ocular
emergency.
Retinal detachments can occur in people at any age, but there are
some people at higher risk than others. It seems to affect women
more than men, and Caucasians more than African Americans.
It can also occur in people who are extremely nearsighted, have a
previous history of a retinal detachment, have had any eye
surgery, or has experienced trauma to the eye.
Retinal tears or holes, which often preceed a detachment, can be
treated using laser surgery or a freeze treatment to help reattach
the tissue to the back of the eye. Surgery for a retinal
detachment may include the use of a scleral buckle, which is a
tiny synthetic band that is implanted to help hold the tissue in
place. More than 90% of retinal detachments can be successfully
treated if caught early.
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