The retina is the film of the eye’s camera. It is supported by the retinal pigmented epithelium and when the retina falls away from this layer we call this a retinal detachment. There are three types of retinal detachment:
Rhegmatogenous detachments occur from a break in the retina followed by fluid seeping between the layers.
Exudative or serous detachments occur when fluid accumulates between the retina and the pigmented layers without a break.
Tractional detachments occur as fibrous tissue on the inside of the eye pulls the retina away.
Retinal detachments are a very serious condition that require immediate evaluation to avoid blindness. Treatment for retinal detachments include cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, pneumatic retinopexy (gas bubble), vitrectomy and scleral buckling.
