Does retinal detachment mean blindness? What does retinal detachment feel like?

Retinal detachment sounds scary. After all, it is because of the retina that we can see objects clearly. So many people think that retinal detachment means that the retina has fallen off, so the eyes will be blind and can't see anything. But it is not the case.

Does retinal detachment mean blindness?

Retinal detachment may cause blindness, but it does not necessarily lead to blindness.

The retina is a layer of membrane located at the back of the eyeball, mainly composed of photosensitive nerve cells, whose function is to receive external light signals and transmit them to the brain. If the eye is compared to a camera, the retina is like the film of the camera.

The retina has 10 layers in histology. Retinal detachment is the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium and pigment epithelium. Retinal detachment is divided into primary and secondary types. Primary retinal detachment often occurs in people with high myopia or age-related retinal degeneration. Secondary retinal detachment is generally caused by other eye diseases.

In the early stage of retinal detachment, the patient will suddenly see a large number of floaters or a continuous flashing position in front of the eyes, often floating in the shadow area. When the disease worsens, there will be symptoms such as a sharp decrease in vision and visual distortion. If it is serious, it will lead to blindness. In other words, retinal detachment is a process. If it can be discovered and treated in time, it is possible to cure it.

What does retinal detachment feel like?

When the retina is detached, what a person sees will change. The change is not fixed and is related to the location of the detachment.

After being disconnected from the Internet, a person's vision, field of vision, and perspective will all change. For example:

1. Blur. This is different from the vision problems caused by myopia. Even if you wear glasses, it will not achieve the desired effect.

2. Distortion of shape. For example, when others see lines, they are straight lines, but patients with retinal detachment may see them as curves.

3. Shadow, it feels like a part of the visual object is blocked by something.

4. Floaters: There are always some small bugs, bright spots, etc. in the field of vision. Here is a special note: in many cases, small bugs in front of the eyes are floaters caused by vitreous opacities, and there is no need to worry too much.

Retinal detachment often does not form all at once; it is a process. Severe retinal detachment can lead to blindness, so please seek medical attention promptly if symptoms occur.

But it should also be noted that the above symptoms may be caused by more than just retinal detachment, so there is no need to panic if the above situation occurs.

Can retinal detachment be cured?

Retinal detachment is not scary. The key is to treat retinal detachment early, otherwise it will easily lead to poor vision, even blindness or even eye atrophy.

Because the precursors of retinal detachment are often obvious floaters and decreased vision, once such a problem occurs, you need to go to the hospital for treatment in time. Because when the retina first starts to detach, the range of detachment is relatively small, and recovery after surgery is also better. If not treated in time, it is likely to lead to blindness.