Sudden loss of vision - Retinal detachment

Question 1

Pathophysiology

What can be used to prevent this?

Answer 1

Holes/tears in the retina allows fluid to separate the sensory retina from the pigment epithelium

Cyro/laser retinopexy

Question 2

Presents with 4 F’s - what are they?

Answer 2

Floaters
Flashes
Field loss
Fall in acuity

Question 3

How may the patient describe the loss of vision?

Where does it start?

Answer 3

Like shadow, curtain veil

Peripherally progressing to the centre

Question 4

What can be used to dictate the extent of the detachment?

Answer 4

The extent of field defects

Question 5

Field loss:

If it was a superior detachment, where would the visual loss be?

Answer 5

Inferior field of vision

Question 6

What happens if the macula is pulled off as well?

Answer 6

Central vision is lost and doesn’t always recover even if the retina is fixed

Question 7

What type of detachment tends to progress faster?

Answer 7

Upper halves

Question 8

Management:

Treatment until referral made

What do they do to secure the retina?

Answer 8

Rest depending on where the detachment is

Cryotherapy or laser coagulation