1. Eye may be compared to a camera which takes the photograph of objects in front and retina is comparable to the photographic film on which the image is formed. Retina is normally attached like a wall paper on the inside of the eye.
2. In some patients, retina becomes `weak' resulting in hole or tear formation.
3. This weakness of retina may be due to inherent causes, high myopia (glasses power of > -5 to - 6), injury to the eye, familial, cataract surgery, etc.
4. Thus all patients who wear high minus glasses (especially if > -6 power), those with family history of retinal detachment, any injury to the eye (especially if blunt), after cataract surgery must have detailed retina check up even in absence of any complaints. Myopes must have their retina examination done at least once in a year.
5. At the stage of retinal break only, there may not be any symptoms or floaters and flashing of light may appear. Thus any fresh onset of flashes or floaters may indicate retinal break formation or retinal detachment.
6. Once a break is formed, there is a tendency for detachment of retina (unless break is sealed in time) in which retina gets lifted from its place due to collection of fluid under the retina. This usually leads to loss of vision.
7. Retinal breaks if causing any symptoms (e.g. floaters or flashes) and those occurring in patients of cataract surgery must have these breaks sealed URGENTLY to prevent detachment of the retina.
8. Retinal breaks may be sealed by cryopexy (something like soldering with rod from outside) or laser surgery, both done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis (no admission required).
Once a retinal detachment occurs, the only treatment is early detachment surgery under local or general anesthesia. If detachment surgery is successful, vision gradually returns over days to weeks depending upon an individual case. Occasionally more than one operation may be required for a successful surgery.