The eye condition Retinal Detachment has been in the news of late, as Gordon Brown answers speculation about his sight. Here are a few facts and figures if this raised concerns for you.

The retina is a vital component of our visual system, it’s the light sensitive layer that lines the eye. Light enters the eyes and the retina processes the image into neural impulses and sends it to our brain. It has been likened to a film in a camera. The retina is a delicate structure, and if damage occurs it can peel away from it’s underlying layers. Early symptoms include flashing lights, the sudden appearance of large floaters, the sensation of a curtain drawing across the field of vision, or loss of central vision. Onset of any of these symptoms must be investigated at once.

Retina Detachment

It can occur due to trauma, including a blow to the head or orbit, although it may not happen immediately after the accident occurs. It’s more common if you are very short sighted, as your eyeball will be longer and the retina will be stretched. It’s also more common as we age. Patients who have undergone cataract surgery and patients suffering from Diabetic retinopathy are also more at risk. Usually it will only occur in one eye, but there is a risk of it then appearing in both.

There are several methods of treatment, depending on where the detachment has appeared. Silicone oil is sometimes injected into the eye, this holds the retina in position and allows it to re-attach itself. The oil is removed within twelve months of treatment. Scleral buckle surgery is a permanent solution, where silicone bands are stitched to the outside of the eyeball itself. This applies pressure to allow the tear to close and then re-attach. This is usually carried out in conjunction with laser surgery to seal the tear. The patient may end up more short sighted as a result of this, as the band alters the shape of the eye. Cryotherapy or laser treatment is used if a tear needs sealing, this stops fluid leaking in and making the tear bigger.

The most important part of treatment is early detection and assessment. Visit A & E or talk to your optician or GP at once if you’re worried. If left untreated sight will be permanently lost or damaged. After successful treatment vision will slowly improve over time, although it may never be as good as it was before.