Does retinal detachment cause eye pain?

Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

Updated on September 28, 2024

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Retinal detachment refers to the separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina at the back of the eye. Its main symptoms include flashes of light, blurry vision, and visual obstruction. It is characterized by a painless, sudden decrease in vision. Therefore, patients experiencing retinal detachment will notice flashes of light and a rapid decrease in vision prior to the condition developing, without feeling pain, thus there is no pain associated with retinal detachment.

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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 Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

1min 1sec

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Can retinal detachment heal by itself?

Retinal detachment refers to the separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina. Based on its cause, it can be categorized into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, tractional retinal detachment, and exudative retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment requires repositioning of the retina and closure of the break. If it is tractional retinal detachment, it is necessary to remove the cause, generally requiring vitrectomy and retinal reposition surgery. Exudative retinal detachment generally occurs due to inflammation or other irritations causing exudation or bleeding in the retina, resulting in detachment, typically without retinal breaks. This type of retinal detachment only requires treatment for the underlying disease, and aggressive treatment of the primary disease can generally lead to a cure. Therefore, retinal detachment must be treated; it cannot heal on its own.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang

Ophthalmology

51sec

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Is retinal detachment serious?

Retinal detachment is a very serious disease that affects vision, causing a black fog to appear in front of the eyes that significantly impairs visual function. If retinal detachment is not treated promptly, the eye will gradually lose vision until it finally loses all perception of sight. There are currently three causes of retinal detachment. The common cause is rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which refers to the appearance of a tear in the retina leading to its detachment. Another type is tractional retinal detachment, commonly seen in diabetic retinopathy and other proliferative retinal disorders, where the retina is pulled away. There is also exudative retinal detachment. All require careful examination by a qualified doctor followed by timely treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

49sec

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Is vitreous floaters close to retinal detachment?

Floater syndrome and retinal detachment generally have no necessary connection. Floater syndrome is the clouding of the vitreous body. Mild vitreous clouding does not affect vision and manifests as floating objects in front of the eyes. Pathological vitreous clouding that affects vision requires further examination by an ophthalmologist, including an ocular B-ultrasound to diagnose the extent of the vitreous clouding, and proactive treatment should be administered. Retinal detachment generally involves the separation of the retina from the choroid. Once a clear diagnosis of detachment is made, active treatment should be pursued promptly to restore vision as soon as possible. If the treatment is delayed, it can easily lead to retinal atrophy, resulting in the shrinkage of the eyeball.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong

Ophthalmology

48sec

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Can a retinal detachment be treated after one year?

If retinal detachment is discovered or diagnosed only after a year, the effectiveness of surgical treatment tends to be poorer. However, if there is no eyeball atrophy, no corneal, lens, or vitreous abnormalities at this time, surgery to reposition the retina can still be considered first, followed by assessment of vision recovery. Additionally, an ophthalmic examination should be conducted, including tests like uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular B-ultrasound, and fundus photography, to decide and predict the outcome of the surgery and post-operative conditions. Nevertheless, even if a year has passed since the retinal detachment occurred, active treatment should still be pursued, and one should not give up.