Retinal detachment

[Georgios Balanikas]

The retinal detachment is a separation of the sensory layer of the retina 
from the underlying pigment part. This can be caused when the vitreous fluid 
passes through a retinal hole or tear under the sensory retina and gradually 
peels off this layer inwards the eye. The detached part of the retina does 
not function so a part of our vision field is blackened. Trauma is one of 
the causes but there are many other predisposing factors as the high myopia, 
degenerative procedures of the retina due to genetic or other reasons.
About the symptoms, I could say that the flies or floaters (myopsias) is a 
normal sign after the age of 40 or earlier in myopes and this is because of 
the normal liquefaction of the vitreous body. This  is a part of the so 
called posterior vitreous detachment which happens usually at this age and 
causes also the flashing lights that are tractions of the vitreous bonds to 
the retina. But sometimes this procedure can be violent and can cause a 
retinal tear. When symptoms like flies or flashing lights will appear for 
the first time we should visit our doctor to diagnose any injury.  At this 
time we should also avoid lifting of heavy objects or bending our body for a 
long time. As I said before, this is a normal procedure of the aging eye and 
the above predisposing factors must be present so that a retinal detachment 
to be happened.

Georgios