Retinal Detachment

Southern Eye Institute

Board-Certified Ophthalmologists & Board Certified Optometrist located in Houma, LA & Thibodaux, LA

A retinal detachment is always a medical emergency. Without prompt surgery to reattach the retina, you will develop vision loss and be at high risk for blindness. The experienced board-certified ophthalmologists at Southern Eye Institute offer emergency treatment for retinal detachment. If you experience sudden symptoms like flashing lights or numerous floaters, you can get the expert eye care you need at the Houma and Thibodaux, Louisiana, offices. Call to schedule or book an appointment online today.

Retinal Detachment Q & A

What causes retinal detachment?

A detached retina occurs when the retina, which lines the inside of your eye, pulls away from the underlying tissues. This condition is always an emergency because the retina detaches from its source of blood and can’t function.

There are three types of retinal detachment in adults and each has a different cause.

Traction retinal detachment

Diabetes most often causes tractional retinal detachment when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in your eye. The damage leads to scarring that pulls the retina away from the eye.

Exudative retinal detachment

This detachment occurs when fluids build up behind the retina, pushing it away, and forcing it to detach. Eye trauma, macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and inflammatory disorders can cause this type of detachment.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

When a hole or tear develops in the macula at the center of the retina, vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills the center of your eye) can leak through the hole. As the vitreous accumulates under the retina, it causes detachment.

What symptoms develop due to retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment affects your vision, so you may develop blurred vision. However, detachment also causes distinct symptoms such as:

Many new floaters (specks floating across your field of vision)
Flashes of light in one or both eyes
Shadow or dark curtain affecting your central vision
Loss of your peripheral (side) vision

These symptoms appear suddenly when the retina tears away. With quick treatment, you can prevent a small tear from getting worse.

How is retinal detachment treated?

A fully detached retina requires surgical repair as soon as possible after diagnosis. Southern Eye Institute offers expert diagnosis and can refer you out to retina specialists to help you get the special care you need for treatment.

Surgical repair can happen though:

Pneumatic retinopexy

During this procedure, your ophthalmologist injects air or gas into your eye to push the area of the retina with holes against the wall of the eye to stop the flow of fluid.

Scleral buckling

This involves your ophthalmologist sewing a piece of silicone material to the white of your eye, over the affected area. The procedure relieves some of the force tugging on the retina.