Retinal detachment - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Retinal detachment (RD) is an acute or progressive condition in which the neuroretina separates from the retinal pigment epithelium, subretinal fluid accumulates, and retinal function is lost.
Presents as primary rhegmatogenous RD, secondary to traction, or exudative in nature.
In rhegmatogenous RD, retinal discontinuity promotes detachment.
Diagnosis usually relies on indirect ophthalmoscopy or slit-lamp exam, with B-scan ultrasonography reserved for cases with media opacity.
Left untreated, rhegmatogenous RD typically results in blindness.

Retinal detachment approaching the macula, showing typical, full-thickness folds

From the collection of Dr F. Kuhn and Dr R. Morris, with permission

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Retinal detachment approaching the macula, showing typical, full-thickness folds
Tractional retinal detachment in a patient with diabetes
Uveitis-related serous retinal detachment

Citations

Key Articles

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Posterior vitreous detachment, retinal breaks, and lattice degeneration preferred practice pattern®. Sep 2019 [internet publication].[Abstract][Full Text]
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Referral of persons with possible eye diseases or injury - 2014. Apr 2014 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Hikichi T, Trempe CL. Relationship between floaters, light flashes, or both, and complications of posterior vitreous detachment. Am J Ophthalmol. 1994;117:593-8.[Abstract]
Znaor L, Medic A, Binder S, et al. Pars plana vitrectomy versus scleral buckling for repairing simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Mar 8;(3):CD009562.[Abstract][Full Text]
Sena DF, Kilian R, Liu SH, et al. Pneumatic retinopexy versus scleral buckle for repairing simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Nov 11;(11):CD008350.[Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

National Eye Institute: retinal detachment

Referenced Articles

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