Is retinal detachment a minor surgery?

Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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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 Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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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 Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Causes of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment can be categorized into three main types: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is commonly seen in the elderly, highly myopic individuals, those having undergone trauma to the eye leading to the absence of the natural lens or having artificial lens implants, and those with a history of retinal detachment or a family history of the condition, which are risk factors. Tractional retinal detachment is caused by proliferative membranes pulling on the retina. It is observed in conditions like diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, and other ischemic retinal diseases leading to neovascular membranes, or due to proliferative scarring from penetrating eye injuries. Exudative retinal detachment typically occurs in conditions such as Coat’s disease, uveitis, and malignant hypertension.

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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 Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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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 Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Does retinal detachment cause eye pain?

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.