Retinal tear and retinal detachment affect the retina, the thin, light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye responsible for transmitting images to the brain. A retinal tear occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. If fluid passes through the tear, it can cause the retina to separate from the back of the eye, causing a “detached retina” which can be serious and lead to permanent vision loss.
Many conditions can lead to retinal detachment, causing the retina to separate from the back of the eye, much like wallpaper peeling off a wall. A retinal detachment requires emergent surgery. When flashes and floaters appear, or a curtain begins to come down over the vision, a retinal surgeon will need to repair the tear or detachment as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call our office for an appointment at 573-335-3577.
The inside of our eyes is filled with a gel-like substance called vitreous. As we get older, the vitreous becomes thicker and begins to shrink and change shape. Clumps may form and create shadows in our field of vision, which may appear as specks or dots, squiggly lines, cobwebs, or clouds that move or “float” in and out of view with our eye movement. These spots in our vision are referred to as floaters.
Flashes of light occur when the vitreous rubs or pulls on the retina, which could be a sign of retinal detachment, which needs immediate medical attention. An ocular migraine can cause visual disturbances such as blurriness, flashes of light, and jagged or squiggly lines. Visual symptoms with an ocular migraine typically resolve on their own in less than an hour.
Your ophthalmologist can diagnose flashes and floaters through a comprehensive exam, allowing your eye doctor to examine the retina and vitreous. Your doctor can assess if the flashes and/or floaters are indicating a more serious condition, such as retinal tear or detachment.
Pneumatic Retinopexy
Pneumatic retinopexy can sometimes be an in-office procedure. A surgeon injects a gas bubble into the inside of the eyeball. The gas bubble pushes the retinal tear back into place against the wall of the eye. Then either a laser treatment (photocoagulation) or freezing treatment (cryotherapy) repairs the tear and prevents further damage to the retina. You will need to maintain a specific head position for several days to keep the gas bubble over the retinal tear as it heals.
Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy surgery is an outpatient procedure. Your surgeon will make an incision in the sclera, the white part of the eye, and remove the vitreous gel, the jelly-like fluid inside the eye. The vitreous is replaced with a gas bubble, which will push the retina back in place. A freezing treatment (cryotherapy) or laser treatment (photocoagulation) is used to repair the damaged area of the retina. You will need to maintain a specific head position as the eye heals and replaces the gas bubble with your body’s natural fluids.
Your eyes have main veins that carry blood away from the retina. When one or more of these veins become blocked (occulted), it is called retinal vein occlusion (ROV).
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) occurs when the eye’s main vein is blocked.
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) occurs when a small vein that is attached to the eye’s main vein is blocked.
Symptoms might include: blurry vision, sudden loss of vision in one eye, floaters, wavy/distorted vision, or pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) occurs when the central artery is blocked, typically caused by a blood clot or plaque, preventing blood flow to the retina.
Symptoms are a sudden and significant loss of sight in the affected eye without pain. You should immediately seek medical attention.
Treatment options will depend on the type of RVO and the severity of the blockage (occlusion), but may include an ocular massage, anti-VEGF injections into the eye, laser treatment, or corticosteroids.
Your ophthalmologist can diagnose RVO through a comprehensive exam, allowing your doctor to assess if you have RVO and recommend the treatment that is best for you.
Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). Uveitis could lead to a loss of vision if not managed by a skilled ophthalmologist. Symptoms include redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and dark, floating spots in the field of vision. Treatment depends on the severity.
