People can lose their sight within several hours of the detachment or within a few days. It is best that people who are experiencing symptoms seek treatment right away to reduce the chances of losing sight permanently.
Most retinal detachments occur suddenly and can threaten the central vision within hours or days. Anyone experiencing a new onset of flashes, floaters, or loss of peripheral vision should seek an urgent dilated exam with an ophthalmologist.
Vision may take many months to improve and in some cases may never fully return. Unfortunately, some patients, particularly those with chronic retinal detachment, do not recover any vision. The more severe the detachment, and the longer it has been present, the less vision may be expected to return.
Having a detached retina is a serious condition that can cause loss of vision. Permanent blindness can happen as quickly as a few days.
Dr. McCluskey also warns that a retinal tear can progress within 24 hours, though it varies from patient to patient. Therefore, anyone experiencing sudden changes of vision should call their ophthalmologist immediately, even during a weekend.
If possible, the surgery should be done the same day if the detachment has not affected the central vision area (the macula). This can help prevent further detachment of the retina. It also will increase the chance of preserving good vision. If the macula detaches, it is too late to restore normal vision.
If only a small part of your retina has detached, you may not have any symptoms. But if more of your retina is detached, you may not be able to see as clearly as normal, and you may notice other sudden symptoms, including: A lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that float across your vision)
A retinal detachment is an urgent problem that requires medical attention within 24 hours of the first symptoms of new flashes of light and floaters.
Can a detached retina heal on its own? Very rarely, retinal detachments are not noticed by the patient and can heal on their own. The vast majority of retinal detachments progress to irreversible vision loss if left untreated so it is important to monitor any changes noticed in your vision.
Living with the effects of retinal detachment can be daunting at first. Treatment is available, but its success can depend on how quickly it happens – and how much damage has already occurred. However, most people live independently with a good level of vision following retinal detachment surgery.
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common type. It happens slowly over time. With it, you get a hole, tear, or break in the retina.
Don't do things where you might move your head. This includes moving quickly, lifting anything heavy, or doing activities such as cleaning or gardening. You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off from work.
Retinal detachment is one of the better known ophthalmic problems. It is a reasonably common, and treatable, cause of visual loss. The diagnosis must be considered by GPs when patients present with the sudden onset of flashes, floaters and visual loss.
Most surgeries to repair a detached retina don't need general anesthesia, so you'll be awake for it.
The initial symptoms of a retinal detachment are the same as a retinal tear or a posterior vitreous detachment, i.e. flashes and floaters; however, as the detachment progresses, a dark, opaque moon-shaped shadow or curtain will appear from one side of your vision.
Signs and Symptoms of Retinal Tears
Black spots in field of vision. Flashes of light. Blurry vision. Darker/dimmer vision.
One of the most common signs of retinal damage is flashing lights, or the illusion of strands or sparks of light flickering across your visual field. Sometimes flashing lights are harmless.
Joseph Pulitzer
The newspaper publisher behind the well-known Pulitzer Prize had a retinal detachment at the age of 42. Although blindness eventually meant the end of his 16-hour workdays, Pulitzer continued to manage the New York World newspaper from home up until retirement.
Some people may brush off symptoms, reasoning that since they're not in pain there isn't a problem. But that isn't the case. Leading up to the retinal detachment, many people notice that their peripheral vision gradually begins to go. This may happen over the course of days or weeks.
If you frequently experience stress you might wonder, can stress cause retinal detachment? The simple answer is no, stress cannot cause retinal detachment.
No strenuous exercise.
Large spikes in your heart rate can raise eye pressure, which can disturb healing of the eye. Avoid lifting weights or other heavy objects. Don't put your head below your waist, such as with yoga positions.
If your retina has detached, you'll need surgery to repair it, preferably within days of a diagnosis. The type of surgery your surgeon recommends will depend on several factors, including how severe the detachment is.
Regular exercise also helps increase blood flow to the optic nerve and retina, ensuring your cells get the nutrients and oxygen they need to function well.