Retinal Detachment

Question 1

What can lead to retinal detachment

Answer 1

Happens spontaneously due to changes in vitreous tissue leading to tears or holes

Question 2

What are the risk factors of retinal detachment

Answer 2

1. Age over 50
2. Severe myopia (near-sighted)
3. Penetrating eye trauma
4. Proliferative retinopathy

Question 3

What is retinal detachment

Answer 3

Reinstall tears away from the layer that supplies oxygen and nutrients
1. Area of detachment increases and visual loss begins

Question 4

What is the most common site of initial detachment

Answer 4

Superior temporal area
1. Affects first inferior field then superior
2. Central vision remain intact until fovea/macular becomes detached

Question 5

What increases the risk of permanent vision loss when having a retinal detachment

Answer 5

The longer RD is untreated

Question 6

What are the signs of retinal detachment

Answer 6

Blurring or altered vision in one eye that eventually results in vision loss
1. No redness, no pain
2. Floaters, flashes of lights
3. Sudden peripheral appearance of floating spots (scotomas)
4. Curtain spreading across field of vision

Question 7

What will be found of the fundoscopic exam

Answer 7

Hanging / flapping in the vitreous humor like a gray cloud

Question 8

What needs to happen if a person has a reinstall detachment

Answer 8

Emergent referral to a retinal specialist
*within 1-2 days

Question 9

How should a person head be positioned if they have a retinal detachment

Answer 9

1. Retinal tear is at the lowest point of the eye
   *detached portion of retina will fall back with aid of gravity

Question 10

What is the prognosis of retinal detachment

Answer 10

Re-attachment does not guarantee resorted vision
1. Macula area detached or detachment is of long duration prognosis is worse

Question 11

If a person does not get treatment how long until complete detachment

Answer 11

6 months