A retinal tear is a serious eye condition that can occur when the vitreous humor of the eye pulls on the retina, causing it to tear. Your retina is the part of the eye that processes light to send images to the brain, making it vital for clear vision.
This makes recognizing and treating retinal tears quickly crucial for preserving your eyesight. Stay vigilant for symptoms of retinal tearing, like:
Left untreated, this can lead to retinal detachment, a severe, sight-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment.
Retinal detachment is when your retina detaches itself from the tissues that support it within the eye. While it is typically painless, it can result in permanent vision loss and even blindness.
This is because when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, it loses its connection to blood vessels in the tissues that carry oxygen and nutrients to the retina.
If your retina becomes detached, you may notice symptoms such as an increase in eye floaters, flashes of light, or shadows that look like a curtain in your peripheral vision. However, some patients don’t experience any symptoms at all.
The symptoms of retinal detachment tend to be more prominent the more severe the detachment.
There are three main types of retinal detachment, all with different causes:
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common form of the condition. It is often caused by aging, when the vitreous of the eye tugs on the retina and causes it to tear.
The vitreous gel then goes through the tear and pools behind the retina, pushing it away from the back of your eye. This type of retinal detachment can also be caused by an eye injury, the thinning of the side of your retina, extreme nearsightedness, or a previous eye surgery, like cataract removal.
Tractional retinal detachment is when scar tissue or other tissues develop on the surface of the retina, pulling it away from the back of the eye. This can happen with conditions like diabetic retinopathy or proliferative vitreoretinopathy, or as a result of an eye injury.
Exudative retinal detachment is when fluid builds up in the back of the retina, pushing it away from the tissues at the back of the eye. However, this does not occur as a result of a retinal tear.
Rather, this happens when blood vessels leak into the eye or there is swelling behind the eye due to conditions like uveitis.
Treating retinal tears and detachment as soon as possible is essential for protecting your vision. Left untreated, you could suffer permanent vision loss and blindness.
Depending on the type and severity of the detachment or tear, your eye doctor at the Retina Institute of Illinois may recommend various treatments, including vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy, or laser surgeries.
The best way to prevent damage from retinal tears and detachment is by attending regular eye exams with your eye doctor. They can examine your eyes, assess your risk for retinal tears and detachment, and provide you with the information you need to seek effective, timely care should you need to.
Do you remember the last time you had an eye exam? Be proactive about the health of your eyes when you schedule an appointment at the Retina Institute of Illinois today!
