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Highlights & Basics
- 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.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
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Definition
Epidemiology
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Citations
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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]
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