Retinal Diseases

Treatment of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment

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Surgery is the only effective treatment for retinal detachment. Immediate evaluation is critical to determine the best treatment approach. Left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to permanent and severe vision loss.

Retinal detachment occurs when the vitreous (the gel-like substance that fills the eye cavity) begins to sag and shrink, a common occurrence with aging. Fluid begins to leak through a tear or break, causing the retina to peel away from the underlying layer.

Warning signs often appear before retinal detachment occurs, such as the sudden appearance of floaters or sudden flashes of light. Surgery is ideally performed within a few days of the diagnosis. Prompt treatment is almost always successful in preserving vision.

If the retina is already detached, surgeries such as pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling or vitrectomy may be performed. Many times, surgery can restore vision.

For more details on these treatments, see treatment options.

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