Tag Archives: Flashes

Retinal Detachment

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globe anatomy
anatomy of the eye (click on image to enlarge)

What is the retina?

The retina is a “tissue-paper” thin layer of nerve tissue, which lines the inside of the eye like the film in a camera. In the eye, light is focused onto the retina, which “takes the picture” and sends the image to the brain.

What is retinal detachment?

When the retina detaches, it is no longer in proper position inside the eye. Instead, it is like film that has unrolled inside a camera. When this occurs, a camera cannot take a picture.  Similarly, when the retina detaches the eye loses vision.

Retinal break
Horseshoe-shaped retinal tear as seen in an eye with retinal detachment (Click on image for enlargement)

What causes retinal detachment?

Retinal breaks (holes and tears in the retina) cause retinal detachment. These retinal breaks are usually caused by a degeneration of the vitreous (the clear gel that fills the eye and normally helps to hold the retina in place). Vitreous degeneration is common in aging and near-sightedness, but may also follow a direct blow to the eye, hemorrhage, infection, or inflammation inside the eye. When the vitreous degenerates and condenses, it pulls on the retina and may cause retinal tears, which often lead to retinal detachment.

What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?

Prior to retinal detachment, most people notice warning signs such as new floating spots or “cobwebs” in the vision. Sometimes, brief lightning-like flashes of light are seen in the side vision. These are the symptoms of vitreous degeneration and retinal breaks. The retinal detachment that follows usually causes a dark “curtain” or “shadow” to form in the side-vision. The “shadow” often comes from below and on the side near the nose.  If it is not treated, the shadow gradually covers all of the vision resulting in blindness. There is generally no pain with retinal detachment.

How is retinal detachment treated?

The treatment of most retinal detachments requires surgery. Your doctor is skilled in a number of techniques to prevent blindness. Which type of surgery is recommended depends on the precise findings on examination. Surgery is not usually aimed at eliminating flashes and floaters. Flashes usually disappear in a few weeks or months. The floaters gradually fade over many months, but rarely disappear completely.  Some retinal detachments that do not cause symptoms may be observed without initial surgery.

Laser/Cryopexy demarcation:  Small areas of the retinal detachment (especially before any side vision has been lost) can sometimes be treated with laser or cryopexy to “seal down” the retinal along the edges of the detachment in an effort to prevent it from extending further.  This surgery is performed in the office. If it is not successful in stopping the detachment, more extensive surgery is required.

Pneumatic retinopexy:  Many retinal detachments can be repaired by this surgery performed in the office by anesthetizing the eye, sealing the break(s) with laser or a freezing probe (cryopexy), and pushing the retina into proper position with a gas bubble which is injected into the eye. Although this procedure is successful most of the time, it requires the strict cooperation of the patient to remain in proper head position for about five days. If this procedure fails, more extensive surgery in the hospital operating room is sometimes needed.

Scleral buckle surgery:  Some retinal detachments require the placement of a permanent plastic supporting belt around the eye to create a “ledge of support” for the retina. This is a major surgery in which a belt is placed around the eye in the hospital operating room. The eye is often rendered more near sighted by this procedure. Rarely, permanent side effects include double vision. If this surgery is not successful, vitrectomy surgery may be recommended. Scleral buckle surgery is preferred over other methods of surgery if the retinal breaks are located in the inferior (bottom portion) of the retina, where gas bubbles may not be effective in holding the retinal in position. Scleral buckle is also preferred over vitrectomy in eyes with a clear lens, because vitrectomy surgery usually results in cataract formation. Scleral buckle surgery is often used when other attempts at surgery have failed.

The video below demonstrates scleral buckle surgery. If you are uncomfortable watching surgery, please do not click on this video:

Vitrectomy surgery:  Performed in the hospital operating room as a major eye surgery, vitrectomy surgery involves making small incisions into the eye to remove floaters, dissect scar tissue, remove fluid from under the retina, apply laser, and place a gas bubble or silicone oil into the eye to hold the retina in place. Specific head positioning is sometimes needed. Sometimes a cataract or lens implant must be removed to adequately repair the retina. This surgery may be repeated if necessary to prevent blindness.

The video below demonstrates vitrectomy surgery. If you are uncomfortable watching surgery, please do not click on this video:

With one or more surgeries most retinal detachments can be repaired keeping useful vision. Vision may not return to normal, as there may be some permanent damage from the retinal detachment resulting in blurred or distorted vision. In some cases additional surgery is needed to removed scar tissue that forms after retinal reattachment surgery.  There are always risks to surgery including hemorrhage, infection, scarring, glaucoma, cataract, double vision, deformity, loss of vision/loss of the eye. Sometimes despite all efforts with surgery, all vision may be lost. Surgery is recommended for retinal detachments because blindness usually results if treatment is withheld. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.

Copyright  © 2014-2023 Designs Unlimited of Florida.  All Rights Reserved.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)

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What is posterior vitreous detachment?

A posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occurs when the vitreous gel inside the eye condenses and pulls away from the retina.  The vitreous is a thick, clear gel with invisible fibers that fills the inside of the eye.  From birth the vitreous gel is attached to the retina and helps to support it.  The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye like film in a camera.  Just like film, the retina serves to “take the picture” of objects you look at.  The primary cause of PVD is a degeneration of the vitreous, in which the tiny fibers clump together causing the vitreous to pull away from the retina.

vitreous gel
Clear vitreous gel fills the eye (click on image to enlarge)

 

PVD
A. Vitreous gel fills the eye at birth. B. Vitreous fibers begin to pull away from retina. C. Further separation of vitreous fibers that remain attached to the optic disc. D. Complete separation of vitreous fibers from the posterior retina.

 

What symptoms does posterior vitreous detachment cause?

The most common symptoms of PVD are floaters and flashes.   Floaters are specks, fibers, or veils that appear to move in front of your eye.  Floaters are actually tiny clumps of gel or cellular debris within the vitreous.  PVD sometimes causes bleeding inside the eye.  Blood in the vitreous appears as floaters described as hair-like strands or tiny round dots.  Over time floaters may appear like a cloud or veil that moves across the vision.  Flashes are brief streaks of light that are usually seen off to the side, especially at night, when you turn your head or eyes.  Flashes are caused by vitreous gel tugging on the retina with eye movement.  Although the sudden onset of new floaters is reported by almost everyone with PVD, flashes are only seen by half of all people with PVD.

Why is it important to be seen for these symptoms?

Although many people have occasional floaters or flashes of light, the sudden onset of many new floaters, with or without flashes, is an important symptom to report to your eye doctor.  In about 10-20% of people with these symptoms, the vitreous pulls on and tears the retina.  A retinal tear by itself causes no pain or visual problems.  However, if a retinal tear is not detected and treated, it may go on to cause blindness from retinal detachment.  A retinal detachment is when the retina stops functioning because it is pulled away from the inner eye wall and floats freely inside the eye.  A retinal detachment causes a progressive loss of vision appearing like a curtain or shadow that slowly moves across the vision from the side.

What causes posterior vitreous detachment?

PVD is usually due to degeneration of the vitreous gel from aging.  Over time, the thick vitreous gel tends to become liquefied and the microscopic fibers in the gel tend to condense together becoming visible and causing traction on the retina.  The following conditions tend to accelerate the degeneration and cause PVD to occur earlier in life:  trauma, inflammation, diabetes, and myopia (near-sightedness).

How is posterior vitreous detachment managed?

The most important step is to have a thorough, dilated eye examination.  The eye doctor will check for the presence of a tear in the retina.  If a tear is found, laser or cryopexy is usually recommended to decrease the chances of blindness from retinal detachment.  If a retinal detachment is found, more extensive surgery is required in an attempt to repair it.  If there is no retinal tear or retinal detachment found at the initial exam, another exam several weeks later may be performed to be certain that a delayed tear has not occurred.  Generally, there are no restrictions to your activities.

What happens to the floaters and flashes?

There is no treatment to make the floaters and flashes go away even though they may be quite annoying.  The flashes gradually subside and disappear over days to weeks without treatment.  However, the floaters rarely completely disappear.  They will gradually fade and become less obvious over weeks to many months.  For the first few days or weeks, many people find that the floaters are less annoying if they wear sunglasses when out of doors and turn the lights down when indoors.

What to be on the lookout for?

After examination or treatment, any new floaters or loss of side vision should be reported to the doctor without delay.  Sometimes, new tears or a retinal detachment can occur after the eye examination.  In fact, 7% of eyes with PVD will develop a retinal break sometime after the initial eye exam; about half occur more than one year after PVD.  This is more likely to occur in near-sighted eyes and eyes with lattice degeneration.

PVD may stimulate the formation of macular pucker, which may cause symptoms of distortion of vision. Treatment of a retinal tear does not prevent macular pucker.

When one eye develops a PVD, the fellow eye will usually do so at a future date.  Whether the floaters and flashes are more or less severe in the second eye, they should be promptly reported to the eye doctor.  If the first eye develops a torn retina, the second eye runs about a 20% chance of developing a tear as well.  But even if the first eye does not have a torn retina, the second eye may still develop a tear when a PVD occurs.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.

Copyright 2014-2023 Designs Unlimited of Florida. All Rights Reserved.

Floaters and Flashes

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vitreous gel
Vitreous gel fills the eye (Click on image to enlarge)

 

What are floaters and flashes?

Floaters are small specks, fibers, or bug-like objects that may appear to move in front of your eye.  They appear black or gray and may be few or numerous.  At times they may appear like a veil or cloud moving in the vision even after the eye is still.  They are frequently seen when looking at a brightly lit background, like a blank wall or blue sky.  Floaters are actually tiny clumps of fiber or cellular debris within the jelly-like fluid (vitreous) that fills the inside of the eye. Many dot-like floaters may be due to bleeding inside the eye, especially when they come on suddenly. Long-standing, numerous, dot-like floaters may represent inflammation in the eye.

Floaters image
Floaters as simulated in photograph (click on image to enlarge)

Flashes are brief streaks of light that are usually seen off to the side, especially at night when you turn your head or eyes.  They may appear curved or like a brief lightning flash and last for only a second. Flashes are caused by fibers in the vitreous gel tugging on the retina with eye movement. This type of flashing light is different from migraine.

What do these symptoms mean?

Although many people have occasional floaters or flashes of light, the sudden onset of many new floaters with or without flashes is an important sign of abnormal pulling on the retina by the vitreous.  In some instances, the retina may tear and cause blindness from detachment of the retina.

What causes floaters and flashes?

Floaters and flashes are usually due to degeneration of the vitreous gel in the eye from ageing.  Over time, the vitreous shrinks, condenses, and pulls away from the retina.  The condensation causes floaters and the pulling irritates the retina and is perceived as flashes of light. Myopia (near-sightedness) is a common cause of long-standing floaters.

What should be done about these symptoms?

The most important step is to have a thorough dilated eye examination, preferably by a retinal specialist.  The need for examination is urgent if the onset of symptoms is sudden. The eye doctor will check for the presence of a tear in the retina.  If a tear is found, laser or cryopexy is usually recommended to decrease the chances of blindness from retinal detachment.  If a retinal detachment is found, more extensive surgery is required in attempt to repair it.

Once an exam has demonstrated no retinal damage, he symptoms of flashes and floaters do not require specific treatment.  The flashes usually occur less frequently over time.  It may take days or weeks for the flashes to subside. Rarely, flashes will continue over many years.  Likewise, floaters subside with time, but take weeks to months to become less noticeable.  It is best not to concentrate on following floaters by moving your eyes as it may make them more bothersome. Depression and stress may worsen the degree in which floaters interfere with daily visual activities.

Many people have long-standing floaters that are not bothersome. In these cases, no treatment is needed after an examination to insure good eye health. Very rarely floaters will persist and interfere with vision. In these unusual cases, vitrectomy surgery may be considered. There are options to consider.

What should you be on the lookout for?

After examination or treatment, any significant new floaters (especially, many new dot-like floaters) or any loss of side vision should be reported to the doctor without delay.  An occasional flash of light in itself is not usually indicative of damage to the retina.  Sometimes, new tears or a retinal detachment can occur at a later date after the initial examination.

By Scott E. Pautler, MD

For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.

Copyright  © 2014-2022 Designs Unlimited of Florida.  All Rights Reserved.