Retinal detachment

Question 1

What are the features of retinal detachment?

Answer 1

flashes and floaters
‘curtain coming down’- peripheral vision loss
unilateral
painless
blurred distorted visual field

Question 2

Differentials for flashes and floaters?

Answer 2

posterior vitreous detachment
vitreous haemorrhage
migraine

Question 3

Three risk factors for retinal detachment?

Answer 3

older age
trauma
previous catarct surgery
family history
myopia
prev laser refractive surgery
diabetic retinopathy
retinal malignancy

Question 4

What structure is at risk of damage during retinal detachment and is a poor prognostic factor?

Answer 4

macula- ‘macula on or off’

Question 5

WHat is the management for retinal detachment?

Answer 5

vitrectomy- removing parts of vitreous body and replacing with oil or gas?
laser therapy
cryotherapy

Question 6

Why is retinal detachment a sight threatening emergency?

Answer 6

outer retina relies on choroid for blood supply- separation causes cessation in blood supply