Most people can go through life without worrying too much about their eye health. Certainly, they may require glasses or contact lenses as they age and may sometimes opt for laser treatment. However, others may not be so lucky and could encounter problems simply due to the actual shape of their eye. What can go wrong in this situation?
Risk Factors
While the shape of a normal eye is slightly oval, some people are born with an eye that is slightly elongated. When this happens, it may eventually cause issues with the tissue that covers the back of the eye, known as the retina. With advancing age, the tissue becomes more vulnerable and will occasionally tear or even detach itself from the rest of the eye. This is a situation that requires relatively prompt action by a surgeon in order to preserve the site.
Watching for Symptoms
Ideally, somebody who is at risk from this situation will receive plenty of advance notice and have been told about the possibilities by their ophthalmologist. They will have been advised to watch out for any of the tell-tale symptoms so that they can get in touch with an expert right away.
What to Watch for
While there is no pain associated with tearing or detachment in themselves, there will nevertheless be visual clues. There may be a sudden onset of floaters with miniature specks or strings drifting across the visual field. Alternatively, the patient may notice a lot of flashing in either one or both eyes, which may be accompanied by blurred vision. Others may see a shadow that appears in the corner of the eye and gradually moves inward.
Should you experience any of these signs, go to an eye specialist as soon as possible. They'll conduct a full retinal examination to see what is going on and will then recommend the appropriate treatment.
Retinal Tear
If the retina has simply torn rather than detached, they may be able to perform laser surgery on an outpatient basis. In this case, a laser beam is directed through the pupil to the area next to the tear to close any gap and stitch the retina to associated tissue.
Retinal Detachment
Detachment requires prompt action, and there are several different ways to approach this. One type of treatment is a gas that is injected into the eye to push the affected area of the retina against the outer wall. Alternatively, a surgeon will need to suture some silicon material to the outer portion of the eye, which can relieve some of the pressure caused by the vitreous.
Dealing with the Condition
If you are at risk of developing a condition like this, it's best to avoid any impact sports where you might incur a blow to the head. It's also good to schedule regular checkups to watch out for any advancing symptoms. Should you encounter any of the mentioned symptoms, act fast, as you may need to schedule surgery in some cases.
Contact a local eye surgery clinic to learn more.
