Retinal detachment or retinal ablation is a condition in which the retina is detached from its supporting tissue. The retina is a thin layer inside the eye that is rich in light-sensitive cells. In addition, the retina functions to process light that is captured and converted into electrical signals that are then transmitted by the optic nerve and interpreted by the brain.
The retina is supported by the underlying layer, the choroid, which is rich in blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the retina. When the retina detaches from this layer, the oxygen supply to the detached part is disrupted and this affects vision.
Retinal detachment is an emergency condition that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated immediately.
Causes of Retinal Detachment
The detachment of the retina from the underlying layer is caused by 3 types of mechanisms, each with a different cause, namely:
1. Rhegmatogenous
This type of retinal detachment is the most common. The underlying mechanism of retinal detachment is a tear or hole in the retina that allows fluid to pass through and collect under the retinal layer, causing the retina to pull away from the underlying tissue.
The most common cause of this type is aging. As we age, the vitreous, or gel that fills the inside of the eye, changes consistency to become more liquid.
2. Tractional
This type occurs when there is scar tissue in the retina that causes the retina to pull away from the back of the eye. This type usually occurs in people with uncontrolled diabetes.
3. Exudative
In this type, there is a buildup of fluid under the retina without any tears or holes. This occurs because fluid from the blood vessels leaks out and collects under the retina. Examples include hypertension, blockage of the central retinal vein, eye injury, inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), macular degeneration, and tumors.
Risk Factors for Retinal Detachment
There are several risk factors that can increase the risk of retinal detachment, including:
- Age, retinal detachment often occurs in people aged 50 years and over.
- History of having retinal ablation.
- Family history of retinal detachment.
- Having very severe myopia or nearsightedness, for example minus 10.
- History of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
- There is a history of serious eye injury.
- History of suffering from other eye diseases, such as uveitis or inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.
Symptoms of Retinal Detachment
Symptoms of retinal detachment usually occur suddenly. The symptoms caused by retinal detachment are:
- Photopsia, seeing flashes of light. This symptom usually occurs early in the disease.
- There are black spots that always move or float in your vision ( floaters ).
- Narrowed field of vision, with part of the vision appearing as if covered by a gray curtain. This symptom develops over time, and can help determine the location of the detached retina.
What Do Studies Say About Retinal Detachment?
A study from the Community Eye Health Journal entitled Retinal Ablation (2003) stated that the key to successful treatment of retinal ablation is early detection and immediate treatment by an eye specialist.
Early detection of retinal detachment is important to ensure that the treatment method is fast, precise, and effective. It is best diagnosed through retinal examination using indirect ophthalmoscopy.
The above study also mentions the importance of doctors and complete and effective medical equipment to manage and prevent retinal detachment. Because, this eye problem can cause permanent blindness if not treated properly.
Retinal Detachment Diagnosis
The doctor or vitreo-retina ophthalmologist will ask about the symptoms in detail. Then will perform a physical examination of the eye, and perform several tests to detect retinal detachment.
1. Physical examination of the eyes
Includes examination of eye vision or visual acuity, examination of the outside of the eye to look for signs of injury to the eye, examination of the pupils, eye pressure in both eyes, and examination of the eye’s visual field.
2. Retinal examination
The doctor uses a bright light and special lenses to examine the back of the eye, including the retina. This allows the doctor to see if there are any holes in the retina, tears, or detachments.
3. Ultrasonography (USG) of the eye
This examination is used when there is bleeding in the eye making it difficult to see the retina.
Retinal Ablation Treatment
Almost all sufferers who experience retinal detachment require surgery to repair the tear, hole, or return the retina to its normal position. Some types of surgery performed to repair retinal detachment include:
1. Photocoagulation or laser surgery
The laser is directed at the retina through the pupil. The laser burns the area around the retinal tear and creates scar tissue that can attach the retina to the underlying layers.
2. Cryopexy or cryotherapy
Cryopexy uses a special freezing probe to freeze the tissue around the retinal tear. The freezing helps the retina adhere to the underlying layers.
3. Scleral buckle
The scleral buckle procedure places a flexible band on the eyeball to counteract the forces pulling the retina from its normal position.
4. Pneumatic retinopexy
This pneumatic retinopexy procedure uses a certain gas that is injected into the vitreous chamber inside the eye. The gas will push the retinal tear back into place. This gas will disappear on its own gradually.
The doctor will ask you to keep your head in position for a few days. This procedure is often combined with laser surgery or cryopexy .
5. Vitrectomy
The eye doctor will remove the vitreous fluid on the retina. The vitreous will be replaced with a bubble of air, gas, or oil. The bubble pushes the retina into place so it can heal properly. If an oil bubble is used, the eye doctor will remove it several months later.
With air or gas bubbles, sufferers are not allowed to travel by plane, travel to high places or dive in the sea ( scuba diving ). This is because changes in altitude can cause the gas to expand, increasing eye pressure.
After surgery, vision will recover within a few weeks to a few months. However, there may be some cases where vision does not fully recover.
In some cases, retinal detachment cannot be repaired, even with surgical therapy. Usually in cases where there is extensive scarring of the retina. In essence, the more severe the retinal detachment, the less vision will be restored.
Retinal Detachment Prevention
Retinal ablation cannot always be prevented, for example retinal ablation caused by the aging process. However, some efforts below can reduce a person’s risk of retinal ablation as follows:
- Check your eye health regularly, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes , hypertension , or old age.
- Use eye protection when exercising to reduce the risk of serious eye injury.
- See an eye doctor immediately if you experience floaters, flashes of light, or any changes in your vision.
- Have your eyes checked regularly at least once a year.
- Check-ups should be done more frequently if you have diabetes.
- Regularly control blood sugar and blood pressure levels, so that the condition of the retinal blood vessels remains healthy.
- Use eye protection when exercising or doing activities that may cause eye injury.
Retinal Detachment Complications
Complications can occur if certain treatment procedures are performed. Some complications that can occur are:
- The formation of cataracts, or loss of clarity in the eye lens.
- Glaucoma, which is increased pressure in the eye.
- Infection.
- Bleeding into the vitreous cavity.
- Loss of vision.
- Loss of an eye, despite very modern surgical procedures. But this complication is rare.
When to See a Doctor?
Retinal detachment is one of the emergency cases in the eye field, so if your family or relatives have the above symptoms, immediately discuss it with a doctor. Quick treatment of retinal detachment can reduce the risk of complications of permanent blindness that can arise.
If there are complaints about eye health conditions, you can ask a doctor at Halodoc first. Come on, download the Halodoc application now!
Updated on January 10, 2025.
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2025. Retinal detachment
Healthline. Accessed 2025. Retinal Detachment
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retrieved 2025. Detached Retina
Better Health. Accessed 2025. Retinal detachment
Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2025. Retinal Detachment
Frequently Asked Question
1. What is retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment or retinal ablation is a condition where the retina is detached from its supporting tissue. Retinal detachment is an emergency condition that requires proper treatment because it can cause blindness if treated too late.
2. Can retinal detachment cause blindness?
Retinal detachment can cause blindness if not treated immediately. Retinal detachment can cause the retina to detach completely and if not repaired immediately, the affected part of the eye can lose vision permanently. Blindness caused by retinal detachment can be permanent and total or only blind in one eye.
3. Can retinal detachment heal on its own?
Unfortunately, retinal detachment cannot heal itself. This condition is a medical emergency that requires treatment from an eye specialist and the right medical equipment.
4. What causes ablation?
Retinal detachment is caused by many factors, such as age, history of retinal detachment, genetics, having very high myopia (for example minus 10), a history of serious eye injury, and a history of other eye diseases.
