• Those with a family history of Retinal Detachment.
• Preterm Babies.
• People with holes or tears in the retina.
• The Severely Myopic.
• Those with tumour, injury etc in the eye.
• Those who undergo LASIK or cataract surgery. But this complication is rare.

• Sudden vision loss (like a shadow coming on) or blurring of vision
• Appearance of floaters, black spots
• Flashes of light
• There is no pain associated with Retinal Detachment

Consult an ophthalmologist without delay if any of these symptoms are noticed.

The eye is examined through an ophthalmoscope.

Dilatation of the eye and examination through a slit lamp microscope may be performed.

An ultrasound scan may also be necessary.

An eye surgeon must reattach a detached retina. There are several ways of doing this.

• Cryotherapy: This involves freezing of lesions.
• Laser Photocoagulation: This is a method of sealing off leaking blood vessels and destroying new blood vessel growth with a laser beam, and reattaching the retina.
• Scleral Buckle: A flexible band is placed around the equator of the eye to balance out forces that pull the retina out of place. The ophthalmologist may drain the fluid from under the detached retina allowing the retina to return to its normal position against the back wall of the eye. This is usually an out patient procedure.
• Pneumo – retinopexy: A gas bubble is injected into the vitreous space inside the eye. This pushes the retinal tear back against the wall of the eye and closes the tear.

Though retinal detachment treatments are by and large safe, surgical procedures (Scleral buckle and retinopexy) do carry risks of infection, bleeding and severe vision loss.

• You may expect mild discomfort.
• You may be asked wear a patch for some time.
• You may be on medication.
• Your glasses may have to be changed.

If you have had chronic retinal detachment, the chances of regaining vision are poor. The earlier the problem is detected and treated as an emergency, the better the chances. However, if retinal detachment is ignored, deterioration and further loss of vision is possible.