The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses
light and sends images to your brain. An eye is like a camera.
The lens in the front of the eye focuses light onto the retina.
You can think of the retina as the film that lines the back
of a camera.
A Retinal
Detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away
from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is
detached. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be
blurry if the film were loose inside the camera. A Retinal Detachment
is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness
unless it is treated. Dr. Craig Collier of The Eye Care Center
has a special interest in diseases of the retina and specializes
in the treatment (including the latest diagnostic equipment,
laser surgery) of retinal detachments, macular degeneration,
and other diseases of the retina.
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The
following conditions increase the chance that you might get
a retina detachment:
 nearsightedness
glaucoma
severe injury
previous retinal detachment in your other eye
family history of retinal detachment
weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your ophthalmologist
The
presence of a retinal detachment can be signaled by these
early symptoms:
flashing lights
new floaters
a gray curtain moving across your field of vision
These
symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment is present;
however, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible
if they occur. Only after careful examination can your ophthalmologist
tell whether a retinal detachment is present. Once the damage
to the retina has been detected, your ophthalmologist can
determine the proper course of treatment. |
