Retinal detachment is a condition where fluid accumulates in the subretinal space of the detached retina, causing it to be pulled away from its normal position at the back of the eye and resulting in the detachment of the pigment epithelium layer from the sensory nerve layer. If retinal detachment progresses to the central part of the retina, proper nutrition to the retina may be compromised, potentially leading to blindness. Therefore, it is classified as one of the ophthalmic emergencies
Classification and Symptoms
Retinal detachments can be classified into rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, tractional retinal detachment, and exudative retinal detachment.
| Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment |
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a type of retinal detachment caused by retinal breaks induced by the separation of the vitreous. Aging causes liquefaction of the vitreous, creating an empty space within the eye, which can lead to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, where the vitreous pulls on the retina, creating round holes. |
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| Tractional Retinal Detachment |
Tractional retinal detachment is a type of retinal detachment induced by the contraction of proliferative membranes formed due to underlying conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This condition, considered one of the top three eye conditions causing blindness in South Korea along with glaucoma and macular degeneration, requires prompt treatment. |
| Exudative Retinal Detachment |
Exudative retinal detachment is a type of retinal detachment caused by the accumulation of fluid beneath the retina, often resulting from conditions like central serous chorioretinopathy. In exudative retinal detachment, detachment usually progresses gradually from the periphery, and since noticeable symptoms may not manifest, it is frequently discovered fortuitously incidentally during eye examinations. |
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Vitreous Floaters
Seeing spots, threads, and squiggly lines that resemble bugs across your vision
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Photopsia
Seeing flashes of light across your vision when closing and opening the eyes
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Visual Impairment
Seeing partially obscured as if a curtain has been drawn in front of the eyes
Treatment
Retinal detachment is treated with either vitrectomy or scleral buckling, depending on the patient's condition.
If retinal detachment is left untreated for an extended period, significant visual impairment is challenging to recover, and even with surgery, there is a higher likelihood of residual complications. Additionally, even with appropriate treatment, approximately 10-20% of patients may experience redetachment after the initial surgery, and about 5% may face redetachment failure during subsequent surgeries. Therefore, early detection and prompt treatment are crucial.
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Before Treatmen
- Vitrectomy
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After Treatment
The key elements in retinal detachment surgery are the surgeon's expertise and skills.
With a wealth of experience, having led over 700-800 retinal surgeries annually during their tenure at Seoul National University Hospital, the surgeons have particularly addressed many cases where surgeries at other medical facilities had failed.
This extensive experience fosters assurance in expecting the best possible results.
Prevention
If there is a family history of retinal detachment, if retinal detachment has occurred in the opposite eye, or in cases of high myopia, vitreous detachment, aphakia, and eye trauma, retinal detachment can easily occur. Therefore, regular check-ups are necessary. In cases where retinal detachment has not yet occurred but there is a retinal break, laser treatment can be performed to deter the progression to retinal detachment.
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8F and 9F Sinsa Square, 652 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
o straight for 5 minutes (330m) on foot from
Exit 6 of Sinsa Station on Subway Line 3
