The middle part of the eye is filled with a transparent gel, also called the vitreous body, which is attached to the retina. With aging, the vitreous body can fold towards the retina. When this happens, you can notice symptoms that look like blinking lights, lightning or the feeling of seeing “stars”.
Retinal tear and retinal detachment
Usually, the vitreous body goes farther away from the retina without causing problems. Sometimes, however, its movement tears the retina at one or more points. Sometimes, fluid can go through the torn retina and lift it from the back part of the eye. When the retina is moved from the back part of the eye, this is called retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment is a serious problem, which almost always causes blindness if it is not treated with specialist retinal surgery.
Retinal detachment and retinal tears symptoms can include the following:
- Sudden appearance of blurred spots that increase in size and number
- Sudden appearance of waves, which can be the first stage of detachment or tear
- An appearance of a shadow in the periphery of the vision field
- Sudden decrease in vision
Retinal tears are treated with a surgical procedure. Based on your specific condition, your ophthalmologist will recommend the suitable procedure and explain the different risks and benefits of the different treatment options:
- Torn surgery of the retina
- Laser surgery (photocoagulation)
- Dedicated retinal surgery
- Pneumatic retinopexy
- Vitrectomy