Retinal Detachment
Of everything on this page, this is the one that cannot wait. A retinal detachment is treated in hours or days, not weeks.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a retinal tear and of a retinal detachment may include:
- A sudden increase in the size and number of floating spots, indicating that a retinal tear may be occurring.
- The sudden appearance of flashes, indicating a possible first stage of retinal tear or detachment.
- A shadow at the periphery (side) of the visual field.
- A moving grey curtain in the middle of the visual field.
- A sudden decrease in vision.
Why it is an emergency
Retinal detachment separates the retina from the layer that nourishes it. As long as that separation has not reached the macula — the area responsible for central and detailed vision — the outlook for visual recovery is considerably better. Once it does reach it, even if surgery succeeds in reattaching the retina, final visual acuity is usually compromised.
Only a few days may separate one situation from the other. That is the whole argument.
What to do
If any of the above symptoms appear, especially suddenly, seek help immediately. Do not wait to see whether it improves. The examination needed is a dilated fundus examination, which allows the peripheral retina to be inspected and tears to be identified before they progress.
When a tear is found without an established detachment, treatment can be far simpler and carried out as a day case.
Frequently asked questions
I have had floaters for years — should I be worried?
Stable, long-standing floaters usually correspond to benign changes in the vitreous. What demands immediate attention is change: a sudden increase in their number or size, the appearance of flashes, or a shadow at the edge of vision. The key word is «sudden».
Does retinal detachment hurt?
No. And that is precisely the trap. The retina has no pain receptors, so the condition sets in without any discomfort at all. The decision to seek help has to be based on visual symptoms, not on pain.
Who is at greater risk?
People with high myopia, those who have had previous eye surgery — including cataract surgery — those who have suffered ocular trauma, and those with a family history or a previous detachment in the other eye.
What if these symptoms appear at night or at the weekend?
Go to an eye casualty department without waiting for the next day. The visual outcome depends to a large extent on whether the macula is still attached when treatment happens. That margin is measured in hours.
Do you need care for retinal detachment?
Book online or call whichever practice is easiest for you.