Question 1

what are some signs that my retinas are detaching?

Accepted Answer

Flashes & floaters: The clear gel that fills eyeball is normally attached to all parts of the inside of the eye.  As we get older it can become more liquid (watery) and detaches from the back of the retina causing flashes & floaters.  This can indicate a retinal tear. As the retina detaches, change or loss in your side vision is the next symptom.   You should see your eye doctor to check the retina.

Question 2

what is the retina?

Accepted Answer

Sensorineural tissue: The retina lines the inside of the back wall of the eye and is responsible for capturing light, just like film in a camera. The retina converts this light information into electrical signals that get transmitted along the optic nerve to the brain for interpretation as vision. Similar to brain and spinal chord tissue, the retina is not able to regenerate itself after damage or injury.

Question 3

what is torn retina?

Accepted Answer

Flap in back of eye: The retina is the layer of cells that coat the back of your eye and collect light to allow you to see. When the retina becomes torn the layer is elevated off of its attachments to the eye. Please see your doctor to see if you can have this surgically corrected.

Question 4

symptoms of torn retina?

Accepted Answer

Flashes and floaters: Typically patients will note flashing lights particularly at night.  They may also note floating 'specks' in their vision caused by loose bits of the vitreous gel at the back of the eye.  Some may note a curtain over a peripheral part of the vision.  All these call for an immediate dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist.

Question 5

what causes retina detachment?

Accepted Answer

Flashes floater veil: Vitreous separation ; traction on the retina causes retinal tears-causing vitreous floaters ; hazy vision.  Laser helps to prevent the tear from progressing to a retinal detachment as fluid flows though untreated tears and the retina falls off the back of your eye-like wallpaper coming off a wall.  This causes a veil in your side vision then central vision loss.  It is painless.

Question 6

how common is retina detachment?

Accepted Answer

NOT common: But...... It varies depending on how near-sighted you are.  Highly near-sighted people have increased risk of rd.  I do not have solid numbers.  I see about one/month in my practice.

Question 7

what is done for a elevated retina?

Accepted Answer

Elevated retina: The treatment depends on the cause of the elevated retina.  Discuss your options with your ophthalmologist.

Question 8

how do you repair a damaged retina?

Accepted Answer

Retinal detachment: Gas bubble with removal of the vitreous (jelly in the eye), scleral buckle, silicone oil, cryo (freezing), laser can all be used in the treatment of retinal detachment. One or more of the mentioned techinques may be used.

Question 9

how does a tear in the retina occur?

Accepted Answer

Myopia primary cause: Most commonly due to myopia where the eyeball is longer than usual and stretches the retina until it tears.  Can also occur due to a consequence of surgery or diseased blood vessels in the retina (diabetes) which pulls the retina.  The least common cause is injury.

Question 10

what does thinning of the retina mean?

Accepted Answer

Retinal thinning: Lattice degeneration is a thinning of the peripheral retina from the vitreous gel "pulling" on the retina with a distinctive whitening of the retinal blood vessels.  This forms an oval or round patch of "lattice" white blood vessels and a thinned retina.  Lattice can be associated with round retinal holes from the thinning and retinal tears at the edge-this can result in retinal detachment.

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Retina

A member asked:

What are some signs that my retinas are detaching?

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What is the retina?

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What is torn retina?

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Symptoms of torn retina?

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What causes retina detachment?

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How common is retina detachment?

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What is done for a elevated retina?

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How do you repair a damaged retina?

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How does a tear in the retina occur?

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What does thinning of the retina mean?

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