Retinal detachment is a serious condition where the retina separates from the eye wall and, if left unaddressed, can lead to permanent vision loss.
We have discussed retinal detachments before, from the different types to the many possible causes for the condition. If you are interested in reading more about that, refer to our introduction to retinal detachments here.
Today, however, we go deeper into this condition by letting our eye specialists answer the most frequently asked questions about it. By exploring experts’ answers to these FAQs, you should gain a deeper understanding of this medically emergent situation.
FAQ #1: Can dry eyes cause retinal detachment?
This is one of the most common questions about the condition. The answer is no, dry eyes cannot cause retinal detachment. That being said, both dry eyes and retinal detachment can be age-related in that both become more common as you age.
Moreover, both can disrupt your vision.
However, the two are entirely different conditions and thus have to be treated differently. Dry eyes are typically treated with medication or artificial tear solutions, for example. Meanwhile, retinal detachment is a serious, sight-threatening condition that needs treatment with surgery, like a vitrectomy.
FAQ #2: How long can retinal detachment go unnoticed?
Retinal detachments can go unnoticed for a longer time than most people realise, especially if the detachment has affected only a small part of the retina. That’s because the symptoms are generally more noticeable as more of the retina detaches.
Symptoms to look out for are the following:
- Flashes of light in your vision
- Specks or lines floating in your vision
- Partially obscured or darkened peripheral vision
As retinal detachments are a medical emergency – again, because it can lead to vision loss if not treated quickly – it is important to see a doctor the moment you suspect you have the condition.
FAQ #3: Can retinal detachment be prevented?
While it may be tempting to ask about how to prevent retinal detachments naturally, it is important to note that there is no foolproof method of preventing it. This is because most cases of retinal detachment are due to ageing, which is inescapable.
Ageing causes the vitreous humor in our eyes to get thinner. When this happens, it starts to separate from the retina and can cause tears to develop, which ultimately leads to a retinal detachment.
You can lower the risk of retinal detachment from other causes. For example, if you do a lot of contact or physical activities, you can wear safety goggles to reduce the chances of getting a tear from such things.
Eye screening and regular dilated eye examinations are also important in picking up a retinal detachment before it occurs, and identifying patients who are at higher risk for this occurring.
FAQ #4: What should I expect after retinal detachment surgery?
With improvement in technology, retinal detachment surgery has also become much safer and success rates are higher. The most common surgery done for retinal detachment surgery now is a vitrectomy. Less often, scleral buckling surgery is done and sometimes, both surgeries are done concurrently if the surgeon feels that this will increase the chance of success.
After the surgery, there may be minor pain or discomfort, which is usually controlled with simple oral analgesia like Panadol. Expect the eye to look more “red” than usual as there can be some bleeding around the white of the eye during the surgery, more so if a scleral buckle procedure is performed.
More importantly, a gas bubble is often left in the eye after a vitrectomy. While the bubble is in the eye, the doctor may instruct you to keep your head in a certain position during the day, and to sleep on your side at night. This depends on the configuration of the retinal detachment and is different for every patient. Also, while a bubble is in the eye, no air travel or visiting mountainous areas is allowed until the bubble disappears, which will usually be between 4-8 weeks.
Schedule a consultation for retinal detachment and tears now
These should have answered at least a few of the most pressing questions you may have about this condition. If you have more questions left unanswered, you can also reach out to us.
Our eye doctors can not only answer queries about retinal detachment: they can also give you an evaluation to assess whether or not you have the condition yourself.
If you want to learn more, simply call us to enquire or book an appointment for an eye screening. Even if you do have the condition, we can discuss your options and come up with a plan to try and prevent the retinal detachment from permanently affecting your vision.
