About Your Retinas and Retinal Detachment

The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue lining the inside of the back of the eye. Light carries visual information about the world into your eye. The light focuses at the back of your eye, just as the light meets your retina. The light-sensitive tissue of the retina absorbs the light and converts the information carried on the light into nerve impulses. Your optic nerve carries these impulses to your brain, which converts the impulses into the images you perceive.

The retina can lift up and pull away from its normal position within the eye. Doctors refer to this as retinal detachment.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Symptoms of retinal detachment may develop slowly or quickly. Symptoms might include a sudden or gradual development of floaters, which are those little specks or cobwebs that float around in your field of vision. Light flashes may occur in the affected eye. Some patients say it seemed like a curtain dropped over the affected eye.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of retinal detachment should seek immediate care. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency; left untreated, retinal detachment may result in permanent vision loss.

Treatment for Retinal Detachment from Your Optometrist in Knightdale

Eye doctors use laser surgery or a freeze treatment, called cryopexy, to treat retinal detachment. Eye doctors use lasers to “weld” the retinal back into its normal location. Cryopexy freezes the area around the hold created by retinal detachment to help reattach the retina.

Clinicians often perform treatment for retinal detachment at the doctor’s office.

Some people have a higher risk of developing a retinal detachment. You may have a higher risk for this serious vision problem if you are severely nearsighted, have had cataracts or an eye injury, or a family history of retinal detachment. Our optometrist can help you determine your risk for a detached retina.

While it is not always possible to prevent retinal detachments, you can reduce your risk for their development by protecting your eyes from injury. Our optometrist in Knightdale can help fit you with prescription glasses and protective eye wear that not only help you see clearly but also protect your eyes from flying debris or injury.

Knowing the warning signs of retinal detachment can help you recognize this serious vision problem in its earliest stages, before vision loss takes place.

Contact The Eye Institute For Treatment

If you have suffered a retinal detachment, make an appointment with The Eye Institute. Our optometrist in Knightdale, NC, has the training, expertise and tools to help prevent, diagnose and treat retinal detachment. The Eye Institute is conveniently located at 742 McKnight Dr #100 in Knightdale, NC. Make your appointment today by calling 919-266-2048.