Our Summary

This study focused on understanding why some people lose good vision after having surgery for a specific type of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is when the thin layer at the back of your eye, which helps you see, starts to pull away from the blood vessels that provide it with oxygen and nutrients.

The researchers looked at a number of cases where people with this type of retinal detachment had surgery. They found that around 16% of patients who initially had good vision, ended up with worse vision after surgery. There were a few factors that seemed to increase the chance of this happening.

Firstly, if the patient’s vision was slightly worse to start with, they were more likely to end up with poorer vision after surgery. Secondly, if the detachment was more extensive (i.e., it covered more of the back of the eye), this also increased the chances of losing good vision. Thirdly, certain types of surgery seemed to be riskier than others. In particular, surgeries involving removing the vitreous (the clear, gel-like substance that fills the eye) were associated with a higher risk of vision loss. Finally, if the patient needed additional surgeries related to the retinal detachment or other issues in the eye, this also increased the risk.

Understanding these factors can help doctors to better advise patients about what to expect from the surgery and how it might affect their vision.

FAQs

  1. What is retinal detachment and how does it affect vision?
  2. What factors can increase the risk of vision loss after retinal detachment surgery?
  3. Are certain types of surgeries for retinal detachment riskier than others?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about retinal detachment surgery is to carefully follow post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. This may include avoiding strenuous activities, taking prescribed medications as directed, attending follow-up appointments, and reporting any changes in vision or symptoms promptly. Additionally, maintaining regular eye exams and monitoring for any signs of recurrent detachment can help catch any issues early on. It is important for patients to communicate openly with their healthcare provider and ask any questions they may have about the surgery and recovery process.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended retinal detachment surgery are those who have a retinal detachment that is deemed to be at risk of causing permanent vision loss if left untreated. Factors that may increase the likelihood of needing surgery include:

  • Having symptoms such as flashes of light or floaters in the vision
  • Having a history of eye trauma or previous eye surgeries
  • Being nearsighted
  • Having a family history of retinal detachment
  • Having certain eye conditions such as lattice degeneration or retinoschisis

Ultimately, the decision to undergo retinal detachment surgery is based on a comprehensive evaluation by an ophthalmologist, who will consider the individual patient’s specific circumstances and risks.

Timeline

Before retinal detachment surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as sudden flashes of light, floaters in their vision, or a curtain-like shadow coming over their field of vision. These symptoms can indicate a retinal detachment, and prompt the patient to seek medical attention.

After surgery, the patient will typically have a follow-up appointment with their ophthalmologist to monitor their progress and ensure that the retina is healing properly. They may experience some discomfort or blurry vision immediately after surgery, but this should improve as the eye heals. It may take several weeks for the patient to fully recover and for their vision to stabilize.

Overall, the goal of retinal detachment surgery is to reattach the retina and restore or preserve the patient’s vision. However, there is a risk of complications or vision loss, particularly in cases where the detachment is extensive or additional surgeries are needed. It is important for patients to discuss these risks with their doctor and follow their post-operative care instructions closely to optimize their chances of a successful outcome.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Here are some questions a patient should ask their doctor about retinal detachment surgery:

  1. What is the success rate of this surgery for my specific type of retinal detachment?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  3. Will I need additional surgeries or treatments after the initial procedure?
  4. How will this surgery affect my vision in the long term?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that I should consider?
  6. What is the recovery process like after retinal detachment surgery?
  7. How soon after the surgery can I expect to see improvement in my vision?
  8. What can I do to help optimize the success of the surgery and protect my vision postoperatively?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take after the surgery to prevent further detachment or vision loss?
  10. How often will I need to follow up with you after the surgery for monitoring and evaluation of my vision?

Reference

Authors: Gopal A, Starr M, Obeid A, Ryan E, Ryan C, Ammar M, Patel L, Forbes N, Capone A Jr, Emerson G, Joseph D, Eliott D, Regillo C, Hsu J, Gupta O, Kuriyan A, Yonekawa Y. Journal: Curr Eye Res. 2022 Aug;47(8):1209-1217. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2081980. Epub 2022 Jun 6. PMID: 35608082