What is Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment consists of the separation of the neuro-sensory retina from the pigmented epithelium. Retinal detachment affects one in 10,000 people per year. The vitreous traction at specific locations can cause a tear or a hole in the retina, through which the vitreous humor enters, inducing retinal detachment and subsequent evolution of that detachment.

The most prevalent initial symptoms are the perception of floating structures, called "flying flies" (myodesis) and light flashes (photophores). They can have the form of dots, lines or fragments in spider webs. In the case of progression of detachment, patients observe a shadow in the peripheral visual field (dark curtain).

Treatment of retinal detachment

Once the subclinical tear and / or detachment develops, the treatment will always be surgical, in order to reapply the retina. Surgery performed may be at the endocular level (vitrectomy) or include an external approach (placement of scleral indentation).