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Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina pulls away from the tissue underneath it. [1] [2] [3] It may start in a small area, but without quick treatment, it can spread across the entire retina, leading to serious vision loss and possibly blindness. [4] Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires surgery. [2] [3]
The risk of retinal detachment is the greatest in the first 6 weeks following a vitreous detachment, but can occur over 3 months after the event.. The risk of retinal tears and detachment associated with vitreous detachment is higher in patients with myopic retinal degeneration, lattice degeneration, and a familial or personal history of previous retinal tears/detachment.
The vessel walls are weak and leak blood plasma and lipid within and underneath the retina. This leakage can lead to exudative retinal detachment, also known as exudative retinopathy in this context. The detachment typically has a yellowish tint because the fluid under the retina contains lipid. These findings mimic Coats disease. [9]
Retinal detachment should be considered if there were preceding flashes or floaters, or if there is a new visual field defect in one eye. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] If treated early enough, retinal tear and detachment can have a good outcome.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes though retinal detachment is associated with lattice degeneration, lattice degeneration is not as strongly associated with or predictive of retinal detachment, with one study finding a low overall risk of developing retinal detachment at around 0.3–0.5%. [2]
Recently, central serous chorioretinopathy has been understood to be part of the pachychoroid spectrum. [5] [6] In pachychoroid spectrum disorders, of which CSR represents stage II, the choroid, the highly vascularized layer below the retina, is thickened and congested with increased blood vessel diameter, especially in the deep choroid (the so-called Haller's layer).
Photopsia can present as retinal detachment when examined by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. However, it can also be a sign of uveal melanoma . This condition is extremely rare (affecting 5–7 per 1 million people, typically fair-skinned, blue-eyed northern Europeans).
A scleral buckle is one of several ophthalmologic procedures that can be used to repair a retinal detachment. Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears, and a scleral buckle can be used to close the retinal break, both for acute and chronic retinal detachments. [citation needed] Scleral buckles come in many shapes and sizes.