5.3 Retinal Detachments
Description
This article is from the Vision and Eye Care FAQ, by grants@research.canon.com.au (Grant Sayer) with numerous contributions by others.
5.3 Retinal Detachments
The retina is one of the three layers of the human eye. The innermost layer
is a complex and delicate layer (0.4mm in thickness) which lines the innerside
of 2/3rds of eyeball. There are a number of sub-layers to this tissue which
comprise the neural layers and photoreceptors necessary for vision.
Detachment of the retina is a separation of the neural retina from the pigment
epithelium; a layer of pigment cells providing nutrients to the photreceptors
and attaching the retina to the next outermost layer - the choroid. As a
result of the separation there is a loss of function in the photoreceptors,
vision is affected.
The accompanying symptoms of a retinal detachment include; blurring of vision,
sensation of "flashing lights", loss of vision like a shade or curtain moving
across the field of vision. The presence of a retinal detachment is a serious
visual problem and should be thoroughly investigated by an eyecare professional.
Retinal detachment occurs in some hereditary conditions, e.g Stickler
Syndrome. More information is available on the Web at
URL: http://ops.ophth.uiowa.edu/MOL_WWW/RD.html
(contains fundus photograph)
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