RETINAL TEARS AND DETACHMENTS
What is retinal detachment?
Understanding the Retina
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain.
The retina is a very important part of the eye that connects the images that the eye interprets to the brain itself. Basically this is how we SEE! The retina is connected via the optic nerve to the brain. If this retina detaches from the optic nerve permanent vision loss can result. Ophthalmologists often worry about diabetic patients because this disease is known to put stress on the retina and optic nerve. In some cases there may be areas of the retina that are torn. These areas, called retinal tears or retinal breaks, can often lead to retinal detachment.
Risk Factors For Retinal Detachment
A retinal detachment can occur at any age, but it is more common in people over age 40. It affects White-Caucasian people more than African Americans.
A retinal detachment is also more likely to occur in people who:
- Are highly myopic patients
- Have had a previous retinal detachment in the other eye
- Have a family history of this condition
- Have had recent cataract surgery
- Have diabetes
Treatment For Retinal Detachment
Despite the difficulty with getting to the retina and treating this tough condition over 90 percent of the people diagnosed with retinal detachment are treated successfully according to the National Eye Institute. This visual outcome is not always predictable and patients are encouraged to consult an ophthalmologist about the their specific retinal detachment problem
