Opthalmology

Unit 1: Sudden Loss of Vision

4: Retinal detachment

 

Risk Factors

  • Myopia
  • Retinal detachment in the fellow eye
  • Trauma
Poorly controlled diabetics and those with some inflammatory eye problems can get tractional retinal detachment [see below] and serous retinal detachments [see below] respectively, but these are not common, and are not part of the syllabus.
retina image for retinal detachment

Retinal detachment

Source: Adapted from an image uploaded to retinagallery.com by Jason Calhoun

Tractional retinal detachment

Tractional retinal detachment occurs when retinal scar tissue contracts, pulling the retina off the underlying retinal pigment epithelium, without formation of a retinal tear.

retina image for tractional retinal detachment

Tractional retinal detachment

Source: Adapted from an image uploaded to retinagallery.com by Lucy James, COA

retina image for fibrovascular proliferation

Fibrovascular proliferation

Source: Adapted from an image uploaded to retinagallery.com by Steven Cohen

Serous retinal detachment

Serous retinal detachment occurs when exudative fluid collects between the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium, without formation of a retinal tear.

Serous retinal detachment from central serous retinopathy

Serous retinal detachment from central serous retinopathy

Source: Adapted from an image uploaded to retinagallery.com by Steven Cohen