Emergency Retinal Detachment Treatment

The retina is an all-important part of the eye. It lies inside the eye, against the back wall, and remits signals to the brain through a network of optic nerve system. Lying just beneath the retina is a slim layer of blood vessels whose primary function is to feed the retina with adequate amounts of oxygen and other nutrients. This layer of blood vessels is medically known as the choroids. In the event of the retina separating from the choroids, a medical emergency situation occurs, called retinal detachment.

Because of the seriousness and nature of the condition, retinal detachment treatment demands urgency. The retina must get attached to the choroids almost immediately; otherwise it can lead to permanent blindness of the eye that is affected. The situation need not be scary at all, since early diagnosis and subsequent treatment can easily help in preventing any permanent damaged. While surgery is the only option for retinal detachment treatment, removal or repair of a retinal tear or hole before the tear has advanced to a stage of retinal detachment can play an important role in preventing vision loss.

Normally there are three types of surgeries which can be performed for the treatment of retinal detachment. They are called pneumatic retinoplexy, scleral buckling and vitrectomy. Photocoagulation could accompany some of these surgical procedures. Though called by different names, the primary objective of all these types of surgical treatments is to repair any tear or holes in the retina, and to reduce the pull on the retinal surface, caused by a contracting vitreous. The type of surgery that will be performed will depend largely on the size, position and kind of retinal detachment. While nearly all types of retinal detachment can be treated with these surgeries, at times a second intervention could be necessary.

As mentioned, location of the retinal detachment is important in deciding the surgical method. Pneumatic retinopexy for example is performed when the detachment is located on the upper half section of the retina. It is an effective method, when the case is not very complicated. Complications from this type of surgery would include a possible recurrence of the same ailment, scar formation, development of cataract, glaucoma and infection.

Scleral buckling on the other hand is one of the most common outpatient procedures done with local or general anesthesia. For any uncomplicated case of retinal detachment, this surgical procedure is considered idea.

There are occasions when bleeding blocks the vitreous and the surgeon is unable to see the precise location of the detached retina. Vitrectomy could then become the surgery method of choice. It is also performed when a scar tissue makes it difficult to treat any retinal detachment.