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Retinal Detachment



  • Sudden onset of blurred vision
  • Partial vision loss (as if a gray curtain is moving across the field of vision)


  • Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD): This is the most common type of retinal detachment and is associated with a hole or tear in the retina. Fluid from the vitreous humor (jelly-like center of the eye) seeps through the retinal hole and accumulates in the space between the retina and the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), thereby lifting the retina. RPE, located between the retina and the choroid layer, is a pigmented cell layer that nourishes the retinal cells.

To diagnose retinal detachment, a comprehensive eye examination is performed; wherein the physical appearance of your eye, vision, eye pressure and your ability to see colors is tested. Your doctor instills eye drops to dilate your pupil in order to see your retina properly. An ultrasound may also be ordered in certain cases.

There are several methods to treat retinal detachment. These include:

  • Scleral bulking: Scleral buckling is a common treatment modality to fix a retinal detachment.
  • Suture less vitrectomy: Vitrectomy refers to the removal and replacement of the vitreous (clear gel that fills the back of the eye) with saline.
  • Tamponade: Retinal detachment usually requires surgery (vitrectomy) during which a tamponade agent is used.  Tamponade is the material that is injected into the vitreous cavity (the cavity located behind the lens of the eye and in front of the retina) to hold the retina in place.
  • Silicone oil: Silicone oil is one of the tamponade agents used during the surgery for retinal detachment. This tamponade is particularly useful when retinal traction (pulling on the retina) cannot be completely relieved and for patients who are unable to maintain the head positioning required for a gas tamponade of the retina.
  • C3F8/SF6: C3F8 (Octafluoropropane) / SF6 (Sulfur hexafluoride) are gases that are commonly used as tamponade agents during surgery to repair a retinal detachment
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