Retinal detachment is a potentially blinding condition but one that is treatable with modern surgical techniques. Provided the retinal detachment is diagnosed in a timely fashion, patients can be offered a chance of successful treatment in excess of 90% of cases. Delay, or missing the diagnosis may result in irreversible blindness.
What are the Symptoms of Retinal Detachment?
There are a number of clinical symptoms and signs which should alert an examining clinician to the possibility of a retinal detachment. Symptoms include blurred vision, loss of visual field, floated and photopsia (“flashing lights”). Abnormal signs include the presence of pigmented cells in the vitreous jelly, a retinal tear and either partial or total detachment of the retina itself.
