Is a Retinal Detachment a Medical Emergency?

The retina is the light-sensing tissue located at the back of the eye. It’s nourished by blood vessels in the area behind it, and it registers all parts of your vision, from the clear vision in the center of your visual field (handled by the specialized macula) to the hazy images gleaned from the periphery.

Needless to say, without a healthy retina, your vision would be compromised, if not lost completely.

The expert team of ophthalmologists at Retina Specialists, located in and around Dallas, Texas, diagnoses and treats retinal detachments. If you’re suddenly seeing a host of floaters or a curtain over your vision, it’s a medical emergency, and you need to come in ASAP. Here’s why.

What is a retinal detachment, what causes it, and what are its symptoms?

A retinal detachment can occur with aging, but it’s more common from an injury such as with a blow to the head from a car accident or a fist fight. Without the support and its blood supply to nourish it, the tissue dies, and you lose vision.

If just a small part of the retina detaches, you may not have any symptoms. However, if more of it pulls away from its support, your vision might be a bit fuzzy, and you may notice other, sudden symptoms, including:

• A lot of new floaters (small dark spots in your visual field that move with your eyes)
• Flashes of light in one or both eyes
• A dark shadow or “curtain” on the sides or in the middle of your visual field

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you don’t treat the problem immediately, you could suffer permanent vision loss. Come into our office as soon as you notice symptoms, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Treating a retinal detachment

Depending on how much of your retina is detached, and if there’s any damage to the tissue itself, the ophthalmologist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:.

Cryopexy (freeze treatment) or laser surgery

These methods are useful if you have a small hole or tear in your retina; the cold probe or medical laser seals any breaks in the tissue. These options are available as in-office treatments.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary if a large portion of the retina has detached from the back of your eye. The goal of surgery is to move your retina back into place, where it will reattach. You generally need to get this kind of treatment in a hospital.

Treating a retinal detachment — and treating it quickly — can save your sight. Some people require a second surgery if the problem recurs, but treatment is ultimately successful for about 9 out of 10 people.

If you’re experiencing any of the signs of a retinal detachment, call Retina Specialists ASAP at any of our locations to schedule an emergency appointment with one of our ophthalmologists.