Information For Our Patients About Retinal Detachment

What is a retinal detachment?

The retina is an important layer of tissue that is located in the back of the eye. It is responsible for converting light stimuli (what we see) into neural impulses that are taken to our brain for interpretation via the optic nerve. The separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium (i.e. the back wall of the eye) results in a retinal detachment.

Are there different types of retinal detachment?

There are 3 kinds of retinal detachments: (1) Rhegmatogenous, (2) Tractional, and (3) Exudative.

A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment results when a tear or break in the retina is found, resulting in vitreous fluid gaining access to the subretinal space. The accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space results in the separation of the retina from the retinal pigment epithelium.

A tractional retinal detachment is caused by direct mechanical traction. These detachments occur when scar tissue contracts and induces mechanical traction on the neurosensory retina, thus pulling the retina from the retinal pigment epithelium.

An exudative retinal detachment occurs in the absence of either retinal breaks or vitreoretinal traction. These detachments result from diseases of the retinal pigment epithelium and the choroids. The retinal pigment epithelium is responsible for pumping fluid out of the retina so that the retina and retinal pigment epithelium remain attached. Any disease of the retinal pigment epithelium and the choroid can damage the blood retinal barrier and overwhelm the retinal pigment epithelium pump, resulting in fluid accumulating under the retina. Examples include inflammation, vascular injury, and choroidal tumors.

Is a retinal detachment common?

Most detachments generally are of the rhegmatogenous type. They occur with an incidence of 5-10 per 100,000 population/year. They tend to more common in men. Any retinal break or tear can cause a retinal detachment. Studies have reported that approximately 6% of all eyes have a retinal break, but only 1 person in 10-15,000 a year eventually develops a retinal detachment. Assuming a life expectancy of about 74 years, 0.07% of the population will eventually develop a retinal detachment during their lifetime.

What are the risk factors for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?

The main risk factors are previous cataract surgery, high myopia (severe near-sightedness), direct eye trauma, and a family history of retinal detachments. There are some peripheral retinal abnormalities that predispose individual to developing retinal breaks and subsequent detachments. These include lattice degeneration, vitreoretinal tufts, and meridional folds.

What are the signs and symptoms of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?

Complaints of persistent flashes and new floaters as well as peripheral or central visual field loss are the hallmark signs. The floaters are usually described as a "spider webs" or wavy lines. The flashing lights or photopsias are described as sudden arcs of light that are fleeting. The ominous sign of a shade or curtain coming over the visual field strongly suggests a retinal detachment. Any of these symptoms warrant a thorough examination with your ophthalmologist.

What treatments are available for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments?

Pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling, and vitrectomy are established modalities of treatment for retinal detachments. Each procedure is different and is selected on a case by case basis, depending on the patient and the location of the retinal break(s) that result in the retinal detachment.

Pneumatic retinopexy is an office procedure that involves injection of an inert gas into the vitreous cavity. This procedure is selected for retinal breaks that are found in the superior retina. The retinal break is usually treated with cryotherapy, followed by injection of the inert gas to tamponade and close the retinal break. The gas bubble is slowly reabsorbed by the body and does not need to be removed by additional procedures.

Scleral buckling surgery has been the most common surgical method employed in repairing retinal detachments. This procedure has been utilized for nearly five decades. Scleral buckling involves the placement of a silicone band that is sutured to the external sclera in order to indent the eye and reduce the retina to retinal pigment epithelium distance. The indentation results in closure of the retinal break, allowing for reabsorption of the subretinal fluid by the retinal pigment epithelium.

Pars plana vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that uses microinstruments to remove the vitreous gel that is responsible for the traction on the retinal tears. A vitrectomy is advantageous in retinal detachments that have vitreous hemorrhage, precluding a view of the retina. After the vitreous gel is removed, the retinal tear is treated with laser or cryotherapy, followed by instillation of an inert gas or silicone oil in the vitreous cavity to tamponade the retinal break(s).

The decision to perform one surgery over another should be discussed extensively by the retina specialist as each procedure has advantages and disadvantages that are specific for every patient.