This is a basic explanation of a RETINA Detachment- which 85% of the time leads to blindness. I have had a retina detachment and after 5 surgeries lost the vision to shadows and light rays only. NO, I do not have diabetes, I have Myopia, severe nearsightness, BUT most retina detachments happen to people with DIABETES, and since the disease is systemic, the seniors are experiencing RETINA DETACHEMENTS by the the time they are 60- 70 plus years old. The disease takes its toll and seems to land towards the retina. There are no retina transplants/only repair and HOPE. Many people ask me what is a retina detachment, hope this helps.
Pathophysiology: Retinal detachment refers to separation of the inner layers of the retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE, choroid). The choroid is a vascular membrane containing large branched pigment cells sandwiched between the retina and sclera. Separation of the sensory retina from the underlying RPE occurs by the following 3 basic mechanisms:
- A hole, tear, or break in the neuronal layer allowing fluid from the vitreous cavity to seep in between and separate sensory and RPE layers (ie, rhegmatogenous RD)
- Traction from inflammatory or vascular fibrous membranes on the surface of the retina, which tether to the vitreous
- Exudation of material into the subretinal space from retinal vessels such as in hypertension, central retinal venous occlusion, vasculitis, or papilledema