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What is the retina?
The retina is a nerve layer at the back
of the eye that sends the light and sends images
to the brain.
Retina hole and retina detachment
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled
away from its normal position. It almost always
causes blindness unless its treated |
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What
are floaters?
You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in
your field of vision. They are called floaters. You can
often see them when looking at a plain background, like
a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are actually tiny clumps
of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like
fluid that fills the inside of your eye.
What causes floaters?
When people reach middle age, the vitreous gel may start
to thicken or shrink, forming clumps or strands inside
the eye. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall
of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It
is a common cause of floaters. Posterior vitreous detachment
is more common for people who:
• Are nearsighted;
• Have undergone cataract operations;
• Have had YAG laser surgery of the eye;
• Have had inflammation inside the eye.
The appearance of floaters may be alarming, especially
if they develop suddenly. You should see an ophthalmologist
(a medical eye physician) right away if you suddenly develop
new floaters, especially if you are over 45 years of age.
The retina can tear if the shrinking vitreous gel pulls
away from the wall of the eye. This sometimes causes a
small amount of bleeding in the eye that may appear as
new floaters. A torn retina is always a serious problem,
since it can lead to a retinal detachment.
What can be done about floaters?
Floaters can get in the way of clear vision, which may
be quite annoying, especially if you are trying to read.
You can try moving your eyes, looking up and then down
to move the floaters out of the way. While some floaters
may remain in your vision, many of them will fade over
time and become less bothersome. Even if you have had
some floaters for years, you should have an eye examination
immediately if you notice new ones.
What causes flashing lights?
You may have experienced this same sensation if you have
ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars." When
the vitreous shrinks, it tugs on the retina, creating
a sensation of flashing lights.The flashes of light can
appear off and on for several weeks or months. As we grow
older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you
notice the sudden appearance of light flashes, you should
visit your ophthalmologist immediately to see if the retina
has been torn. Some people experience flashes of light
that appear as jagged lines or "heat waves"
in both eyes, often lasting 10-20 minutes. These types
of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels
in the brain, which is called migraine. If a headache
follows the flashes, it is called a migraine headache.
Treatment
 Posterior
vitreous detachment does not need treatment but a follow-up
examination is necessary.
Retina
detachment or retina hole are emergency, which requires
immediate laser or surgical treatment
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