What does a detached retina feel like?

Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The professional term for retinal detachment is "retinal detachment." It primarily refers to the separation between the neuroepithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. Early manifestations of retinal detachment may include mild vision loss, accompanied by floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow that obscures vision. As the condition progresses, symptoms gradually worsen, and when the macular area of the retina is involved, significant vision loss occurs.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
54sec home-news-image

What is the vision like after the removal of silicone oil for retinal detachment?

Silicone oil is temporarily used to support the retina in our eyes, and its refractive power is roughly equivalent to that of a 600-degree pair of glasses. Thus, if you are not myopic, you might become nearsighted after the silicone oil is used. After the retina detaches and the silicone oil is removed, the vision mainly depends on the function of the retina, which has no relation to the silicone oil. Just as with myopia, wearing a pair of glasses might change the vision, but once the glasses are removed, the vision will revert to the retina's vision. Therefore, it mainly depends on how much vision was left before the retina detached. The recovery of the retinal function and the optic nerve function is related, and this doesn't have much to do with the silicone oil. The vision primarily depends on the remaining function of the retina.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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How many days does retinal detachment surgery take?

Retinal detachment surgery is divided into internal and external approaches. Generally, the surgery takes about one to two hours, or two to three hours. One method involves compressing from the outside of the eardrum, pushing the eardrum inward to reattach the retina, while the other involves operating from inside the vitreous body outward to adhere the retina to the choroid. The recovery time for these surgeries generally reaches a stable condition from one to three months. The duration of the surgery depends on the complexity of the condition; it can be as quick as just over half an hour in simple cases, or up to two to three hours in complex cases. Postoperative vision recovery primarily depends on the duration and morphology of the retinal detachment, as well as the proliferation conditions of the detached retina and the vitreous body.

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Written by Xiao Yang Yan
Ophthalmology
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Symptoms of secondary retinal detachment

The symptoms of a secondary retinal detachment are actually not much different from the first detachment; it's like a fixed shadow. Therefore, if you have ever experienced retinal detachment, you can cover one eye and use the other eye to check the visible range. Remember what range you can see now and then pay attention to any changes in the future. This way, you can clearly understand the changes in your field of vision. In the early stages, there may be an increased sensation of flashing lights or some floating dark shadows, so if these symptoms appear, it is important to go to the hospital for an examination.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
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Is retinal detachment a minor surgery?

Retinal detachment surgery is considered major surgery in ophthalmology, where retinal detachment refers to the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium from the pigment epithelium. There are many surgical methods for retinal detachment, including external scleral buckling, internal vitrectomy, gas injection into the vitreous, and the use of silicone oil, among others. Generally, internal procedures carry a greater risk than external ones. Retinal detachments can be categorized into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment usually requires surgical treatment and is commonly seen in cases of high myopia, artificial intraocular lenses, aphakia, and ocular trauma that cause retinal detachment. Non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment can be divided into tractional retinal detachment and exudative retinal detachment. Tractional retinal detachment often requires surgical treatment, whereas exudative retinal detachment usually does not require surgery.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Can retinal detachment be treated with laser?

Retinal detachment can also be treated with laser therapy. Retinal detachment is a common eye disease and a type of fundus disease. It is usually caused by eye trauma, or the development of dry breaks or degenerative areas in the peripheral retina. Patients with retinal detachment experience symptoms such as shadows obstructing parts of their vision, distorted vision, and decreased visual acuity. If the area of detachment is small, it can be treated with laser therapy to seal off the detached area, thereby preventing the condition from worsening. If the area of retinal detachment is large, it cannot be cured with laser therapy alone. Surgical treatment is needed to reposition the retina, and during surgery, laser treatment is also necessary to seal the tears or deformed areas on the retina to prevent recurrence of the detachment.