Retinal Ablation Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Retinal ablation is an eye disease due to the release of a thin layer inside the eye called the retina. The condition is considered an emergency and can cause permanent blindness if not treated immediately.

The retina of the eye is an important part that serves to process the light captured by the eye. Once captured, the light is converted into electrical signals and passed on to the brain. These signals are then processed inside the brain and interpreted as images seen by the eye.

Retina detachment

If the retina detaches from its position, certainly vision will be impaired. This visual impairment can occur partially or entirely, depending on how large the detached part of the retina is. Retinal ablation can occur in anyone, especially people aged 50 and over.

Symptoms of Retinal Ablation

Retinal ablation or retinal ablation does not cause pain. Vision loss can occur suddenly, or preceded by a number of symptoms below:

1. Black patches appear to float in the floaters.
2. Vision is blurred or covered by shadows such as curtains.
3. The field of view narrows.
4. Flashes of light on vision (photopsia).

Causes of Retinal Ablation

Retinal ablation occurs when the retina of the eye detaches from blood vessels that transmit oxygen and nutrients. The following are 3 conditions that can cause the retina to detach:

There is a small tear inside the retina. These tears make the fluid in the center of the eyeball (vitreous fluid) seep in and accumulate behind the retina. The fluid that accumulates will make the entire layer of the retina detach from the base. In general, tears in the retina of the eye occur due to changes in tissues with age. People with minus eyes (shortsightedness) or having cataract surgery are also at risk of having a tear on the retina.

The build-up of vitreous fluid without the tearing of the retina. The condition can be caused by injury, tumors, inflammation, and macular degeneration diseases.

Scar tissue forms on the surface of the retina. This condition keeps the retina interested and detached. This condition is more common in diabetics with poorly controlled blood sugar.

Risk Factors for Retinal Ablation

There are a number of factors that increase a person's risk of retinal ablation, including:

1. Over 50 years old.
2. I've had retinal ablation.
3. Have a family member with the same disease.
4. He suffered severe eye injuries.
5. Suffers from severe shortsighted (myopia).
6. Have had surgery on the eye, such as cataract surgery.

Once suffered from diseases of the eyes, such as inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uveitis).

Retinal Ablation Diagnosis

To determine the diagnosis of retinal ablation, the ophthalmologist or vitreoretinal ophthalmologist will perform an ophthalmological examination with a special tool to see the inside of the eye. If the ophthalmology cannot observe the condition of the retina clearly, for example, due to bleeding in the eye, the doctor will perform an eye ultrasound.

Retinal Ablation Treatment

Treatment of retinal ablation varies depending on the patient's condition. If the retina is torn or perforated but has not yet detached, the ophthals can apply some of the measures below to improve vision and prevent the retina from detaching:

Cryopection. This procedure is performed by freezing the tears in the retina, to keep the retina attached to the eyewall.
Laser therapy (photocoagulation). Laser beams will burn tissue around retinal tears. The laser will also help the retina stay attached.
If the retina has detached, the doctor will handle it with surgery or surgery. The type of surgery performed depends on the severity of the patient's condition. These operations include:

• Pneumatic retinopexy. The procedure is performed by injecting gas bubbles into the eye, which will push the retina back to its normal position. This procedure is selected if the detached part of the retina is only slightly detached.
• Vitrectomy. In a vitrectomy, the doctor will remove vitreous fluid and tissue that attracts the retina. Then, a gas bubble or silicone will be injected into the eye to hold the retina in position. Over time, gas bubbles will be replaced naturally by bodily fluids.
• Scleral buckling. In this procedure, the doctor will place silicone from the outer side of the white part of the eye (sclera). This silicon will bring the eyeball wall closer to the retina, bringing the retina back into position. If the detachment of the retina is severe, silicone will be permanently fitted around the eye. Even so, silicone won't get in the way of vision.

Retinal Ablation Prevention

Retinal ablation is not always preventable. However, the risk of retinal ablation may be reduced through the following steps:

1. Immediately check with the ophthalinate doctor if floaters appear, flashes of light, or there are any changes to the field of view.
2. Regularly check the eyes at least once each year. Screening should be done more often if suffering from diabetes.
3. Regularly control sugar and blood pressure levels, to keep retinal blood vessels healthy.
4. Use eye protection when exercising or when performing activities that are at risk of eye injury.