By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that could lead to blindness.
To understand this condition better, let’s get to know some parts of the eye. The eye is a small part of our body but very complex and of course, very important as it is the sense organ that enables us to see. It is like a ball with a multilayered wall and a space inside it that contains the lens and aqueous fluid and vitreous gel that help keep the eye in shape and also protect it. This wall of the eye has three layers. The outer wall is composed of the cornea (outermost transparent covering of the eye) and the sclera (the white surface that you see). The middle layer is composed of tissues that contain tiny blood vessels that nourish the eye, including the iris. The color of the iris is the color of your eye. The inner layer is the retina. It is the most sensitive part of the eye that contains receptors that catch light and send signals to the brain which interprets it and we are able to see. Amazing, isn’t it! We take sight for granted but the process of being able to see is a complicated one. Take note, it is still the brain that interprets all signals sent by our sensory organs.
One problem that can happen in the eye is if this inner wall of the eye, the retina, gets detached. Of course, if it gets detached, it gets makulpi or misshaped and so it can’t work properly and vision becomes blurry, shadowed or even lost.
How does this happen when the retina is way way inside the eye? Well, there could be many processes that happens inside the eye that could lead to this. The most common way is this- the vitreous gel inside the eye can shrink as we age and as it shrinks, it can tug hard enough at the retina causing a tear (guyudena et masingat). At the same time, this gel slowly becomes more watery as we age so the fluid will seep into the tear causing the retina to detach some more. Or less commonly, fluid can build up under the retina because of inflammation or other conditions. So you see, the damage is not from outside, it is from inside!
There are observed risk factors for retinal detachment. These include having previous eye injury, having had cataract surgery, diabetes, being very near sighted.
The warning signs of retinal detachment are usually painless, so it is important to recognize the symptoms. These are sudden flashes of light, especially in the side vision (peripheral), or seeing a sudden increase in floaters. Floaters are tiny specks, strings or cobweb-like shapes that drift across the field of vision. No worry if just a few floaters. Another classic symptom is a “curtain” or shadow moving across part of the vision which does not go away even if you blink and gets worse. There also may be blurry or distorted vision.
If retinal detachment is suspected, it is important to see an eye doctor immediately. The sooner the treatment begins, the higher chances of saving the eyesight. Special instruments are needed to diagnose this condition.
Thanks to advanced technology, retinal detachment can now be treated, usually with surgery. One common method involves sealing the retinal tear with a freezing probe or laser, then using a gas bubble to press the retina back into place while it heals. In more complex cases, the surgeon may remove the vitreous gel and replace it with gas or silicone oil. These procedures often work well, although recovery can take time and patients may need to keep a certain position of their head to keep the bubble in place.
Research is needed to know more about what causes retinal detachment so that we know how to prevent it. Meantime, a universal disease preventive measure and health promotive measure is healthy lifestyle – as Congressman Mauricio Domogan would always remind – diet, exercise and attitude. ***
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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
