How long retinal detachment

In most specialist centres around nine out of ten retinal detachments are successfully repaired with a single operation. In the remaining cases, the retina re-detaches and needs another operation. The final success rate is over 95 per cent.

Whether or not your vision returns depends not only on the success or failure of the operation, but also on the duration, extent and location of the detachment. For example, if the macula the part of the retina responsible for central vision has detached, it is unlikely that full vision will ever return, even if the operation is successful.

Retinal detachment can only be repaired with surgery. If left untreated, your vision will most likely worsen beyond repair. Seeing an eye specialist as soon as you experience symptoms leads to the best outcome. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Blepharospasm means involuntary twitching, blinking, closure or squeezing of the eyelids. Braille is a reading and writing system for blind and vision impaired people, made up of raised dots that can be? A cataract of the eye is like the lens of a camera becoming fogged up. People who are colourblind usually have difficulty with the colours green, yellow, orange and red. Conjunctivitis is an eye infection caused by a bacteria or virus.

Symptoms include eye redness, a discharge and swollen lids. Conjunctivitis is treated with antibacterial eye drops or ointment. Children must not attend school or child care if they have conjunctivitis. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

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Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. The retina What is retinal detachment? Causes of retinal detachment Who is at risk of retinal detachment? Symptoms of retinal detachment Surgery for retinal detachment Long term outlook for retinal detachment Are there other forms of treatment for retinal detachment?

Where to get help. The retina The retina is the innermost layer of the wall of the eye and is made up of light sensitive cells known as rods and cones, which detect shape, colour and pattern. You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. You will need to use eyedrops for up to 6 weeks.

Close your eye and put ice or a cold pack on it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days when you are awake or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. You can shower and wash your hair and face. But don't get any soap in your eye.

You may want to use a face cloth when you wash your face. Some people wear swimming goggles. Wear sunglasses during the day. You may have to wear an eye patch or shield for a few days. If your doctor used a gas bubble to hold the retina in place, keep your head in a certain position for most of the day and night for 1 to 3 weeks after the surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions. Do not lie on your back.

The bubble will move to the front of the eye and press against the lens instead of the retina. Airplane travel is dangerous.

This is because the change in altitude may cause the gas bubble to expand and increase the pressure inside the eye. For example, call if: You passed out lost consciousness. As the vitreous separates or peels off the retina, it may tug on the retina with enough force to create a retinal tear.

Left untreated, the liquid vitreous can pass through the tear into the space behind the retina, causing the retina to become detached. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Retinal detachment Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Retinal detachment Retinal detachment describes an emergency situation in which a critical layer of tissue the retina at the back of the eye pulls away from the layer of blood vessels that provides it with oxygen and nutrients.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF. Retinal detachment. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Sept. Facts about retinal detachment. National Eye Institute. American Society of Retina Specialists. Arroyo JG.