The are Many Slow Moving, Chronic Eye Conditions. Retinal Detachment is Not One of Them.

Many eye conditions are slow moving, like cataracts, where changes in vision are gradual to the point your vision is greatly impaired. Surgery for cataracts is normally not done in a rush and can easily be planned in advanced. Retinal detachment is a different story. If you experience its symptoms you need to act fast. The retina of your eye is a layer of tissue lining the interior of your eye. It sends visual signals through your optic nerve to your brain. If the retina comes off, if not treated immediately, the detachment could result in permanent vision loss. Retinal detachment involves the retinal cells coming loose from the layer of blood vessels underneath them. Those blood vessels provide oxygen and nourishment needed to keep the retina healthy and functioning. The longer it goes untreated, the greater the chance of permanent vision loss. Retinal-Detachment.jpg Retinal detachment can happen at any time but more likely in those older than forty. It’s more likely to  occur in men than women and more common in Caucasians than African Americans. Other characteristics that increase the chances of a retinal detachment include,
  • Extreme nearsightedness,
  • A prior retinal detachment in the other eye,
  • A family history of it,
  • Prior cataract surgery,
  • People with other vision conditions, including retinoschisis, uveitis, degenerative myopia or lattice degeneration, and,
  • A prior eye injury.
Signs of retinal detachment are,
  • An increase in “floaters” in your vision,
  • What appears to be flashes of light, and,
  • What looks to be a curtain over your vision.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you experience these symptoms contact our office immediately. Treatment involves surgery, which can include the treatment of small holes and tears in the retina with laser surgery or a freeze treatment (cryopexy). These treatments are normally done in our office.
  • A laser makes tiny burns around the hole in the retina to “weld” it back into place.
  • Cryopexy freezes around the hole to help reattach it.
We can successfully treat more than 90% of those with retinal detachment. There are no guarantees the person’s vision will be completely back to normal. Your result may be unknown for several months. The outcomes are the best if the detached retina is repaired before the macula (the center of the retina) detaches. Immediate action is needed after you experience symptoms to reduce the risk the macula is impacted. The faster treatment can begin the better your chances your vision will eventually be restored. Your vision is critical to your quality of life, your ability to work and safely get from one place to another. Don’t take it for granted. If you or a family member are showing signs of retinal detachment contact the Lehigh Valley Center for Sight at 610-437-4988 immediately. We can examine the eye, see if retinal detachment occurred or some other condition is causing the problem and take appropriate action to protect your sight. Houman Ahdieh, MD Lehigh Valley Center for Sight https://www.lvcenter4sight.com eyedoc@lvcenter4sight.com

https://www.lvcenter4sight.com/the-are-many-slow-moving-chronic-eye-conditions-retinal-detachment-is-not-one-of-them/

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