The retina is similar to photographic film and it lines the back of the eye. This film sticks in place just like wallpaper sticks to a wall. If there is a hole or tear in the retina, the film can start to peel away. This condition is called retinal detachment. It is very serious and must be repaired to prevent blindness. Symptoms associated with a tear or detachment include seeing flashing lights similar to lightning flashes in front of your eyes. Also, a shade or curtain may appear to block your vision.

The retina can become partially or completely detached for many reasons including injuries, nearsightedness or just plain bad luck. If the retina has a tear or hole, but has not become completely detached, it can be repaired in one of two ways. A laser treatment (photocoagulation) can be used to form a scar that holds the retina in place. The other treatment, cryopexy, uses an intensely cold probe (cryoprobe). This produces an inflammation that leads to formation of a scar which holds the retina to the underlying tissue.

Surgical reattachment of the retina may be done if a retinal detachment is located in a specific location or very large. This operation is usually done by placing a small sponge or silicone band on the outside of the eye. The band pushes the outside of the eye inward and holds the retina on place until it can heal. Often a small gas bubble is placed inside the eye to help hold the retina in place.

Retinal detachment surgery is necessary to prevent vision loss.

The urgency of the surgery depends on the location of the detachment. If the detachment has not affected the central vision area called the macula, surgery should be done quickly, usually the same day. This is necessary to prevent more of the retina from peeling away. Once the retina peels away, chances for successful surgery to save vision are much lower.

If the macula has already peeled away, there is less urgency. Physicians can wait a week to 10 days to schedule surgery.

• reactions to medications
• problems breathing

• bleeding
• infection
• partial or total vision loss in the affected eye from recurrence of retinal detachment.

The most important outcome for retinal detachment surgery is good vision. The success of surgery depends on whether there was good vision before the problem developed, which is likely with a "macula-on" detachment. If the area of central vision (the macula) was not affected, surgery preserves good vision (better than 20/30) in about 90% of people.

If the macula is detached and vision is poor before surgery, the chances of improving vision are less. Only about 20% of people with a macula-off detachment will have vision better than 20/50 after surgery.

Detachments fixed with a laser or cryo probe (cold probe), can be done in an ophthalmologist's office without a hospital stay. A gas bubble may also be put in the eye in an office procedure.

If the detachment repair requires a scleral buckle or surgery, this usually requires an overnight hospital stay. General anesthesia is used for these cases. A gas bubble, laser or cryo may also be performed at the same time.

For a detachment repair using a gas bubble, a certain head position is required for a couple weeks. The position may be face down or turned to one side. It is important to maintain this position to have the gas bubble push the retina in place.