Retinal Diseases

Treatment of Retinal Detachment

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A serious eye disease that requires prompt treatment, retinal detachment occurs when the gel-like substance that fills the eye cavity (vitreous) begins to sag and shrink with age. While this shifting occurs in most peoples' eyes as they age, it becomes dangerous quickly if the retina tears. When fluid from the vitreous begins to leak through the tear under the retina, the retina may begin to peel away from the underlying layer. The patient begins to lose vision in the areas where the retina is detached; if left untreated, this condition can lead to permanent and severe vision loss.

Warning signs often appear before retinal detachment occurs, and prompt treatment is almost always successful in preserving vision. Patients should be aware that symptoms such as flashes of light or "cobwebs" floating in the field of vision could signal a serious problem that requires immediate medical attention.

Various treatments are available for retinal tears and detachment. If the retina is torn without detachment, either photocoagulation (creating small burns on the retina) or cryopexy (freezing small areas of the retina) are effective in holding the retina to the underlying tissue and preventing retinal detachment and vision loss. If the retina is already detached, surgeries such as pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling or vitrectomy may be performed. For more details on these treatments, see Treatment Options.

Mayo surgeons have special experience in repairing retinal detachments that have been treated previously unsuccessfully with surgery. For patients still experiencing symptoms or vision problems following previous treatments, Mayo ophthalmologists are expert in finding and correcting the problem.