How to Diagnose Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment is the separation of the retina (a membrane in the back of the eye) from the supporting choroid (a thin layer of blood vessels that feeds oxygen and nutrients to the retina). Near-sighted people and those with medical conditions such as diabetes have an increased risk for a retinal detachment.

Things You'll Need

• Ophthalmologist

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Instructions

Diagnose Retinal Detachment

• 1

  Realize a complaint of flashes of light is the first clue for an ophthalmologist (specialist in eye diseases) to diagnose a retinal detachment.

• 2

  Plan to have a thorough examination with an ophthalmoscope to diagnose a retinal detachment. This instrument makes it possible for the retina specialist to see into the back of the eye. Before any treatment can begin, the doctor must determine if the center of the retina (macula) is attached.

• 3

  Anticipate the option of including ultrasound imaging of the eye to enhance the view of the retina from several angles. This gives the doctor a better scope of the health of the retina, especially if there is blood in the vitreous cavity.

• 4

  Realize a test known as flourescein angiography may be performed to visualize the retina. This requires injection of a dye while observing the retina through a special camera designed to capture images of the dye.

• 5

  Know that visual acuity may be examined along with a visual field exam to look for blind spots that indicate a tear or detachment of the retina.

Treatment for Retinal Detachment.

• 6

  Expect your surgeon to recommend laser surgery as an option to repair holes in the retina that can result in future detachment.

• 7

  Surgery is required to repair a detached retina. Surgery may be performed in the surgeon's office to place a gas bubble to float the retina into place. This will likely be followed by laser surgery to secure the retina. Surgery under general anesthesia may be required if the damage is more extensive.

• 8

  Cryopexy (freezing) is an option your surgeon may consider to repair a tear. This requires placing a local anesthetic in the eye socket and using a freezing probe to freeze the retina around the tear.