Retinal detachment is a condition when the retina (a thin layer located at the back of the eye) begins to escape from the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients. The retina is an essential part of the eye that serves to process all the light entering the eye.
The aging process is one of the most common causes of retinal ablation. Almost all cases of retinal detachment occur in people aged 60 to 70 years. However, it is not possible retinal ablation may occur in young adults or children. Usually the main cause of retinal detachment in the younger age group is the history of eye trauma.
Usually retinal detachment occurs only in one eye. If not treated properly, people with retinal detachment may be at risk of permanent blindness.
Symptoms of Retinal Ablation
Regardless of the retina from the lining behind it will not cause pain. Often, retinal retinal detachment occurs suddenly. But there are also some early signs that indicate that you may have retinal detachments, including:
Retinal detachment is often due to small tears in the retina, so that the vitreous liquid (the liquid in the center of the eyeball) will penetrate in the gap between the retina and the lining behind it. This fluid will accumulate, causing the entire retinal lining to be detached from its base. This condition is called retinal ablation.
Retinal tears themselves can occur due to several things below:
The diagnosis of retinal detachment is usually established by an ophthalmologist. If an ophthalmologist suspects a patient is subject to retinal detachment, there are several possible checks:
Treatment of Retinal Ablation
Surgical action will be required to treat the condition of the retinal detachment. Generally, patients with retinal detachments need only to undergo one surgery.
If the retina is torn or perforated but not yet removed, there are several types of laser therapy that can be done to handle it, namely:
If the patient's retina is released, the patient needs surgery to deal with it. Some types of surgery that can be done to handle the retina are released:
You can reduce the risk of retinal ablation by the following:
Use eye protection during exercise or other risky activities.
The aging process is one of the most common causes of retinal ablation. Almost all cases of retinal detachment occur in people aged 60 to 70 years. However, it is not possible retinal ablation may occur in young adults or children. Usually the main cause of retinal detachment in the younger age group is the history of eye trauma.
Usually retinal detachment occurs only in one eye. If not treated properly, people with retinal detachment may be at risk of permanent blindness.
Symptoms of Retinal Ablation
Regardless of the retina from the lining behind it will not cause pain. Often, retinal retinal detachment occurs suddenly. But there are also some early signs that indicate that you may have retinal detachments, including:
- Floaters appear on the eyes suddenly. Floaters are black spots that seem to hover in someone's field of vision.
- Spiderweb effect due to the number of floaters.
- Blurred vision or disturbance.
- There was a flash of light in an eye that only appeared for no more than a second.
- Eye side vision slowly decreases.
- The vision is covered by shadows like a curtain.
Causes and Risk Factors of Retinal Ablation
Retinal detachment is often due to small tears in the retina, so that the vitreous liquid (the liquid in the center of the eyeball) will penetrate in the gap between the retina and the lining behind it. This fluid will accumulate, causing the entire retinal lining to be detached from its base. This condition is called retinal ablation.
Retinal tears themselves can occur due to several things below:
- The retina is thinning and growing brittle as it gets older.
- Diabetes with complications in the eye.
- Eye injury.
- Reduced production of vitreous fluid, so the vitreous will contract. This vitreous shrinking will pull the retina from its base, causing tears.
Retinal detachment is common in people over 50 years of age. In addition to old age, several factors that cause a person's risk of getting bigger retinal detachment are:
- Never had a previous retinal detachment.
- Has a family member with retinal detachment.
- Suffers from severe myopia (myopia).
- Ever had eye surgery or severe eye injury.
- Have had other eye diseases or inflammation.
Diagnosis of Retinal Ablation
- Examination of the inside of the eye. This is done by using an ophthalmoscope or slitlamp.
- Test imaging with ultrasound. This method is performed if the retina can not be clearly observed by examination using an ophthalmoscope or a slitlamp.
Treatment of Retinal Ablation
Surgical action will be required to treat the condition of the retinal detachment. Generally, patients with retinal detachments need only to undergo one surgery.
If the retina is torn or perforated but not yet removed, there are several types of laser therapy that can be done to handle it, namely:
- Freezing (Co-optification). The eye specialist will freeze the tear in the retina, causing a scar that helps the retina stick to the eye wall.
- Laser surgery (photocoagulation). The ophthalmologist will direct the laser beam to burn a little tissue around the tear in the retina, causing a scar that helps the retina stick to the eye wall.
If the patient's retina is released, the patient needs surgery to deal with it. Some types of surgery that can be done to handle the retina are released:
- Pneumatic retinopexy. The eye specialist will inject a small gas bubble that will push the retina back to its normal position. This type of surgery is selected if the retina part is released only slightly.
- Vitrectomy. In this type of surgery, the doctor will take the vitreous liquid in the eye, then replace it with a gas or silicone bubble.
- Scleral buckling. The ophthalmologist will sew a silicone rubber or a sponge on the outside of the white of the eye (sclera). This silicone rubber will bind and suppress the white of the eye so that the retina can be attached to the back wall of the eye.
Prevention of Retinal Ablation
Use eye protection during exercise or other risky activities.
- Examine the eye once every year on a regular basis.
- Immediately consult an ophthalmologist if new floaters appear, flashes of light, or any changes to the eye's perspective.
- Control your blood sugar levels and blood pressure to keep your blood vessels in your retina healthy.
