The retina lines the inner, back section of the eye, and this sensitive lining passes visual information to the optic nerve. Some people have retinal detachments, where a portion of the retina pulls away from the eye. Symptoms may include a dark "curtain" over vision or a significant number of spots in the vision. To prevent permanent vision loss, a surgeon must reattach the retina.
Detachment
In some people, the retina may detach again after surgery, says New York University's Langone Medical Center. This will require additional surgery to reattach the retina, though the surgeon may use a different procedure, depending on the location and extent of the detachment. People with extensive detachments, the doctor may determine he cannot repair the detachment. As well, even with surgery, the person may have extensive retinal damage. In both cases, the retina will likely fail, causing slow, but permanent, vision loss.
Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is the most common reason for failure in retinal detachment surgery, says Columbia University's Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute. This condition begins at the time of the detachment, when cells that normally live behind the retina enter into the inner eye. The cells attach to the front and back of the retina, and, after surgery, form a layer, like scar tissue, that may pull away from the back of the eye, detaching the retina once again, says the specialists at Retina & Vitreous of Texas. The surgeon may reattach the retina, though some people have recurrent detachments or vision loss.
Endophthalmitis
After surgery for a retinal detachment, the inside of the eye may become infected and inflamed, a condition called endophthalmitis. Symptoms include redness, vision changes and pain, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The pain from endophthalmitis feels like an ache deep in the eye, similar to the pain of a toothache. Treatment may include eye drops or a small injection of antibiotics into the eye. If left untreated, endophthalmitis may result in permanent damage to the eye. A person with any unusual symptoms, particularly after eye surgery, should contact the eye surgeon immediately.
References
- New York University: Langone Medical Center: Retinal Detachment Repair
- The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center: Detached Retina (or Retinal Detachment)
- Medline Plus: Endophthalmitis
- Retina & Vitreous of Texas: Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
- Columbia University: Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute: Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR)
