Symptoms of secondary retinal detachment

Written by Xiao Yang Yan
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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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 Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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Retinal detachment refers to the condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position.

The structure of the human eye consists of three layers: the sclera, the choroid, and the retina. Retinal detachment is not actually a separation between the retina and the choroid, but rather a separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina, which means it is a detachment between the inner nine layers and the outermost layer of the retina. Retinal detachment can be classified into three types: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which is mainly caused by a tear in the retina allowing the vitreous fluid to enter the subretinal space; tractional retinal detachment, which occurs due to vitreous and retinal proliferation exerting traction on the retina, commonly seen in diabetic retinal detachment; and exudative retinal detachment, which is caused by accumulation of fluid between layers due to abnormal choroiditis.

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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.

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Ophthalmology
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Treatment methods for retinal detachment

Retinal detachment surgery primarily refers to the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. There are two methods of treatment: one is external surgery, also known as scleral buckling. This involves using a compressive object to indent the sclera to support the choroid, and then employing cryotherapy to create a sterile adhesion between the choroid and the retina, thus treating the retinal detachment. Another method is internal surgery, also known as vitreoretinal surgery. This procedure involves making three incisions in the flat part of the sclera, removing the vitreous from the inside, flattening the retina with heavy water, and using a laser to create a sterile adhesion between the retina and the choroid. Currently, the surgical treatment for retinal detachment consists of these two approaches: internal and external surgeries.

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Ophthalmology
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When is the second surgery for retinal detachment?

The question you asked is about when the second surgery for retinal detachment should take place, which implies that the first surgery for retinal detachment failed, necessitating a second surgery. Due to the proliferation of the retina, which generally peaks around two to three weeks, it is recommended that if the first surgery fails, the second surgery should be conducted about 10-14 days after the first surgery, which is about half a month later. This timing can help reduce the failure rate of the surgery and avoid the peak proliferation period of the retina.

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Written by Li Min
Ophthalmology
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How to perform surgery for retinal detachment?

Firstly, there are three types of retinal detachment: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative retinal detachment. For rhegmatogenous and tractional retinal detachment, surgical treatment is generally adopted. There are two common surgical methods: one is external surgery, known as scleral buckling, and the other is internal surgery, involving vitrectomy with complex retinal detachment repositioning. The choice of surgical method requires assessment by an ophthalmology specialist before a decision can be made. Exudative retinal detachment is generally treated by addressing the underlying disease and does not require surgery.