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Retinal detachment is an eye disorder which can cause permanent blindness if not treated quickly.
It happens when your retina peels away from the back of your eye, like wallpaper peeling away from a wall.
Retina contains light-sensitive tissues. These tissues work like the film in a camera.
When light falls on these tissues, they generate nerve impulses and send them to the brain which assimilates them and then interprets the information into a image.
In short, without the retina, no image signal can be sent to the brain and blindness occurs.
Normally, a healthy retina is securely attached to the back of the eye.
Occasionally, eye injury, trauma to the head, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) or overstretching of the retina due to elongated eyeball (severe nearsightedness) may cause a tear or hole in the retina.
When the vitreous humor enters the opening, it lifts the retina off and creates separation between the retina and the choroid.
Thus causing the retina to slowly peel away from the choroid, similar to air bubbles beneath wallpaper.
You are in higher risk if you have:
Symptoms include:
Not long ago, my mother had a series of flashes and blackout.
When we rushed her to the eye doctor, they stated that it may be RD and had to observe her for a few more days. Thankfully, nothing happened.
Early treatment of retinal detachment can save your vision. Getting to the doctor ASAP is crucial any of the symptoms above happen.
Most people with retinal detachment will require surgery to reattach the retina.
For minor cases:
For severe cases:
Sometimes retinal detachment may occur suddenly but do not panic.
Below are some steps which you can take to avoid worsen the condition.
Stabilize your eye - lie down quietly and keep your eyes very still, preferably close (retina may fall back to place)
Have someone take you to eye doctor immediately but carefully.
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