Your retina can sometimes begin to loosen gently from where it belongs. There’s no pain to warn you, no sudden jab or shock. Instead, the world just starts to soften. Edges blur slightly, colours seem a touch quieter, and it feels as though someone has lightly fogged the lens you look through every day. This is retinal detachment. It creeps in quietly, but if it isn’t treated quickly, it can lead to permanent vision loss.
Vasan Eye Care is here to help you keep your eyes in check with top-tier retina treatment. Read to know more!
What Is Retinal Detachment?
It’s what happens when the retina separates from the back of the eye and is unable to make your vision work as it should. Your vision might scramble, or simply “not feel right,” even though nothing hurts. That separation is retinal detachment, and it’s something that requires prompt medical retina treatment to safeguard your vision.
Why Would the Retina Detach?
Here are a few reasons why you might have this condition:
- Age: As you get older, the vitreous gel inside your eye begins to shrink and pull away from the retina. When it does, small tears can form, and detachment may be the result.
- Eye Trauma: An accidental elbow in the eye during a yoga class, or even a car accident can cause enough damage to your retina to make it say, “I’m out.”
- Health Problems: If you’ve got chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, they can weaken the retina over time.
- Being Nearsighted: If you’ve spent your life being nearsighted, you might be more at risk of retinal detachment.
- Family History: It turns out your family history is more important than you thought. If retinal issues run in your family, your risk factor goes up.
The Risks Are More Than Blurriness
Let’s talk about all the risks. If you ignore retinal detachment, your problems become more than just blurred vision.
- If the retina remains detached, you can lose vision in the affected eye permanently.
- The macula is the tiny but mighty part of your retina that gives you sharp, central vision. If the macula detaches, basic tasks become a nightmare.
- If you’ve had a retinal detachment in one eye, you’re now at a higher risk of getting the other eye involved.
How to Tell If It’s Retinal Detachment
You’re not going to feel a sharp pain or something obvious like that, but there are a few signs that your retina might be detaching. If you see any of the telltale signs, it’s time to bring in the pros:
- Floaters: The little specks you see floating around in your vision? If you find that you’re suddenly getting many more of them, or that they start to resemble a bunch of odd squiggly shapes, it may be time to pay attention.
- Flashes of Light: If you notice flashes of light seemingly out of nowhere, particularly in your peripheral vision, it could be a sign that your retina is being stretched or torn.
- A Shadowy Figure: If your field of vision becomes dim or if a shadow appears to be descending or falling over your eyes, do not dismiss it.
- Peripheral Vision Disappearing: If you notice that you’re losing your peripheral vision, this could also be a symptom of retinal detachment.
- No Vision: If your vision suddenly vanishes in one eye, immediately get checked out.
Types of Retina Surgery
There are a few types of retina surgery that can be helpful, and we at Vasan Eye Care are equipped to perform them.
- Laser Retina Surgery: Utilises a high-tech laser to help close small holes in the retina.
- Scleral Buckling: In this procedure, a tiny band is placed around your eyeball to help push the retina back into position.
- Vitrectomy: This is done for more complicated scenarios, where the vitreous gel is taken out and replaced with gas or silicone oil to prevent the retina from detaching.
At Vasan Eye Care, we employ the very latest and best cutting-edge methods for treating retinal detachment.
Conclusion
Early detection and treatment are crucial for preserving your vision. If you see any of the signs we’ve discussed, don’t wait! Get help right away. With branches throughout South India, including Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi, we are here to ensure your retina is well taken care of.
FAQs
- What is retina surgery?
It’s a procedure used to fix problems like retinal detachment by gently placing the retina back where it should be. - Is laser retina surgery safe?
Yes, it’s a commonly used, low-discomfort treatment for small retinal tears and works very effectively. - How long does recovery take?
Recovery varies, but most people heal over a few weeks to a few months. Your eye just needs some quiet time to settle. - Can retinal detachment happen in both eyes?
It can, especially if you’ve had it in one eye. Regular eye checks are the best way to stay ahead of it.