Detached retinas occur when the retina separates from the other layers of the eyeball, potentially leading to blindness. Causes include trauma, aging, nearsightedness, and cataract surgery, with men and those with diabetes at higher risk. Symptoms include floaters and the “curtain effect.”
Detached retinas occur when the retina separates from the other layers of the eyeball. Since these areas of the eyeball are responsible for providing nutrition and support to the retina, this condition can lead to blindness if left untreated. The disorder is relatively rare in the United States, with only one in 10,000 people suffering from it.
The visual impairment caused by detached retinas depends on where they detach. If they detach near the macula, for example, the person may have an impairment in the middle of their field of vision. If the detachment occurs near the outer edge of the retina, however, vision loss can have the effect of a curtain that shades a portion of the visual field. This is commonly referred to as the curtain effect. Other symptoms include seeing floaters, which are dark, floating shapes or short bright flashes of light.
There are many causes of detached retina. Most are caused by a hole or tear in the retina. As a result of the hole, the vitreous fluid from the eye leaks out and collects behind the retina. The pressure from the fluid causes the retina to slowly detach from the eye.
Trauma to the head or face can also damage the retinas. Aging can also lead to detached retinas, as the vitreous fluid changes its consistency and begins to put pressure on the retina. In this case, there is no way to prevent the detachment, which happens unexpectedly.
People who are severely nearsighted can also experience detached retinas. This is because the eyeball of an extremely nearsighted person is very long. This shape causes the vitreous fluid to place undue stress on the retina.
Individuals who have undergone cataract surgery are also more prone to this condition. In fact, about 3% of those who have had the surgery will later have their retina detached. This is likely because the vitreous fluid becomes watery inside the eye after surgery, rather than gel-like as it should be.
Men are also 50% more likely to develop detached retinas than women. Also, those with diabetes are at higher risk. This is due to diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by unusual or unstable blood sugar levels.
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