Retinal Detachment Symptoms and Treatment

Detached retinas occur are commonly associated with myopia / nearsightedness, thinning of the retina (lattice degeneration), and recent vitreous detachment.  Other associations include diabetic retinopathy, recent eye surgery, and of course trauma.

Detached retinas occur when a thin layer of tissue, the retina, pulls out of position at the back of your eye. During a retinal detachment, the blood cells that provide nourishment and oxygen to your eyes become separated, putting your vision and eye health at risk. Left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to blindness. Therefore, it’s imperative that you seek an immediate diagnosis from the eye experts at Swagel Wootton Eye Institute. We can refer you to the appropriate specialist to receive treatment for retinal detachment in Mesa and Chandler.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

It’s always important to pay close attention to unusual changes to your vision. With many eye conditions, including retinal detachment, you may not notice the severity of the injury right away. For instance, if a smaller part of the retina detaches, you may not experience noticeable symptoms. If a larger part of the retina tears away, however, you’re more likely to experience symptoms such as the following:

• Flashes
• Seeing floaters in the form of dark spots, threads, and squiggly lines
• Darkening side vision
• Shadow covering part of your field of vision

If you notice any of the symptoms above, come in to see our ophthalmologists in Mesa and Chandler right away. Call ahead to arrange for an urgent visit, and we’ll determine if your retina is intact or detached so you can get treatment right away.

Possible Treatments for a Detached Retina

If you have a detached retina, we will refer you for urgent treatment for retinal detachment in Mesa and Chandler. Here are five procedures typically used to repair a detached retina:

• Laser surgery: Laser beam burns through the tear, welding it to surrounding tissue for support.
• Cryopexy: Freezing probe creates a scar over the tear to help the retina attach to the eyewall.
• Pneumatic retinopexy: A tiny gas bubble inserted into the retinal fluid seals the wound.
• Scleral buckle: A silicon band is placed around the eye to push it toward the tear to allow it to heal.
• Vitrectomy: For large tears, the vitreous or gel that fills your eye is replaced with saline solution to reduce the pressure on the retinal tissue.

Following surgical solutions for a detached retina, you may experience some discomfort for a few weeks. If needed, you will receive a prescription to help alleviate the pain from the retinal eye surgeon.

Your vision may improve in a couple of weeks or take a few months to completely heal, and the retinal specialist can give you a better idea of what to expect following your surgery.

Contact Swagel Wootton Eye Institute today to discuss retinal detachment or any concerns you have about your vision. We specialize in laser therapies such as cataract and LASIK surgery in the greater Phoenix area. However, as a full-scale eye institute, we often consult with other specialists to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care.