Retinal Detachment

The symptoms of retinal detachment can be sudden and difficult to cope with. You may have eye floaters, sudden flashes of light, or experience a veil across your field of vision. Luckily, Sumit Bhatia, MD, at Signature Retina Consultants in Braidwood, Illinois, has extensive experience treating retinal detachments. If you think you may be suffering from this, it’s important to reach out immediately to prevent further vision loss. Reach out by phone or online to book an appointment with the caring and expert practice today.

What is retinal detachment?

Your retina provides you with clear central vision. Retinal detachment occurs when your retina, this layer of tissue in the back of your eye, detaches from its normal position. 

Retinal detachment can result in loss of vision if left untreated. Early symptoms may include floaters in your vision, light flashes, or a curtain that covers your vision. 

This occurs mainly in adults over 40, but it’s also a risk for younger people who are nearsighted, have had cataract surgery, or suffer from another eye disease or injury.

What are the types of retinal detachment?

Dr. Bhatia performs an eye exam to determine the type of retinal detachment you have, identifying its cause and your treatment options. 

Tractional retinal detachment

This detachment normally affects diabetics. Mismanaged diabetes can lead to vascular damage in the retinal system, resulting in scar tissue, which can cause your retina to detach. 

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

A tear in your retina can result in eye fluid seeping through — the most common type of retinal detachment. The fluid causes the retina to become detached from the membrane that provides it with healthy oxygen. A lack of oxygen can weaken the retina and cause detachment. 

Exudative detachment

Retinal diseases cause this type of detachment. You may experience this if you suffer from an inflammatory disorder, have cancer behind your retina, or have Coats disease, which affects the blood vessels in your eye and proteins in your retina. 

Once Dr. Bhatia identifies the type you suffer from, he determines the best treatment plan.

What are my treatment options for retinal detachment? 

More than 90% of detachments can be successfully repaired. Dr. Bhatia can perform cryotherapy (freezing) or laser procedures in his office to treat less severe detachments.

Dr. Bhatia also performs pneumatic retinopexy in the office. He injects a gas bubble into your eye, which dissolves in a few days, that pushes the retina back into its normal position. A laser or cryotherapy is used to reattach the retina afterward. 

Dr. Bhatia performs scleral buckle procedures and vitrectomies at a hospital or surgical clinic if your condition is more severe. These procedures drain the fluid from your eye, allowing the retina to reattach. 

Retinal detachments need immediate care in order to prevent vision loss. If you’d like to book an appointment, reach out by phone or online to book an appointment with Signature Retina Consultants today.