The retina is a delicate layer of nerve texture in the bottom of the eyeball from inside. It is responsible for conjuring the picture which we see to the brain. The visionary system of the eye focuses the light received by the eye on the retina. It works like making films on old cameras. It transfers the picture through the optical nerve to the brain so that the bodies are clearly seen. Dr. Walid Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Al-Turki, head of the retina sections in Al-Magrabi Group of Hospitals and Centers, who is a member of the American Board, said the retina detachment is the separation of that delicate nerve from the choroid which is responsible for feeding the retina. “If the detachment is not treated urgently and properly, the retina will lose its vitality and so there may be complete blindness,” he said. Retina Detachment On how the detachment happens, Dr. Turki said: At times a weakness at the sides of the eye retina may take place. Sometimes there are small holes in these sides. With time, a strain may happen in these sides as a result of the changes in the vitreum (the gelatinous liquid filling the eyeball). This will make a vent in the retina through which fluids may enter into the eye detaching the retina. The detachment may also happen as a result of a direct hit in the eye. The detachment normally happens at the sides before it moves to the sight center. This may happen gradually or partially so that the patient most of themes will not take notice of it immediately. He will discover this only when he or she comes for a routine eye check. It may also happen all at once and leads to blindness. The patient, in this case, can only see the movement of the hand in front of him/her. The patients with retina detachment usually show the following symptoms: 1- A sudden increase in the floating bodies (floaters). These are murkiness in the vitreum which are usually coupled with flashes of light. 2- Within his visionary area, the patient will see what looks like a black curtain which may cover part of his sight. 3- When there is total detachment, the patient will lose sight in the eye with a detached retina. The people who are most likely to have retina detachments are: 1- The people with severe myopia. 2- Those with detachment in one of their eyes. 3- People with relatives who have retina detachment in one of their eyes. 4- Genetic hereditary diseases. Treatment Methods There are a number of treatment methods depending on the stage of the detachment. A technological boom has happened in the equipment used for the treatment of the retina detachment. This has helped treating cases which were difficult to treat in the past. The treatment methods include: 1- Vitrectomy by state-of-the-art technologies to remove the vitreum. After this, the retina is fixed by the laser and the eye is injected with a long-lasting material. The injecting can be by the silicon oil, which will need another operation to remove it after six months, or by a certain gas which will remain inside the eye for four-six weeks. During this period, the patient will not be allowed to travel by planes or climb high places. 2- Installing a belt around the eye. This method of treatment is decreasing with the use of modern technologies. 3- Treatment by laser when a limited detachment or weakness is discovered in the sides of the retina. The retina detachment is a problem that can be solved if it is detected early and treated properly. The routine eye checks is necessary to avoid retina detachment and ultimate loss of sight.
