| How is it diagnosed?
Your ophthalmologist does a detailed examination of the retina with dilated pupils.
Some are diagnosed on routine examination. Occasionally, an ultra-sonography of
the eye may be necessary. FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHS
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| GIANT RETINAL TEAR |
DETACHED RETINA |
HORSE SHOE TEAR | What is the
treatment?
Treatment for retinal holes & breaks.
Laser
or cold (Cryo) application to the affected retina. It is an OPD procedure needing
only few minutes and causes little or no discomfort. In some cases no treatment
is done but regular follow up is necessary. This treatment usually prevents detachment.
Treatment of retinal detachment
Surgery is needed in most cases.
In simple detachments, scleral buckling surgery is done, in which a silicon buckle
(belt) and Cryo is used which works well in 90-95% of cases. In complicated detachments
or re-detachments advanced techniques like vitrectomy, specialised gases, laser,
silicone oil etc may be needed.
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| BEFORE SURGERY |
AFTER SURGERY | After the operation
You will have little pain & discomfort for a few days. You will need to take
oral tablets & eye drops for a few days. You will need to take rest up to
two weeks though routine activities & watching TV is allowed. You can also
eat your usual diet. Results/recovery
Depends on the various
factors like duration, type, site etc of detachment. Earlier the better. If the
surgery is successful, the eye will retain some degree of sight and blindness
will be prevented. However this recovery takes up to six months. Approx. 40 %
of successful cases have excellent vision. The remaining attains varying amount
of reading / traveling vision. Due to fibrosis or vitreous shrinkage occasionally
some patients may need more than one surgery. To summarise with advent of
modern treatment, majority of patients with retinal detachment can be helped. Back
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