What is retinal detachment and what are the dangers?

Retinal detachment is a common fundus disease, which is the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium and pigment epithelium. The most significant harm of retinal detachment is that it affects vision, leading to loss of visual field, decreased vision and even blindness. In the early stage, there will be flashes and floating shadows in front of the eyes, which will gradually develop into fixed shadows in front of the eyes, and vision will be significantly reduced.

People at high risk of retinal detachment

1. People with high myopia

Min Hanyi, director of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital, said that the probability of retinal detachment in people with high myopia is higher than that in people with normal vision. This is because the axial length of the eye of people with high myopia is longer than that of normal people. The higher the degree, the longer the axial length. When the axial length becomes longer, it will pull the retina and make it thinner. When the retina becomes thinner, the probability of retinal tears and detachment will increase accordingly. Therefore, people with high myopia are prone to retinal detachment.

2. People with diabetes

The longer the diabetic patient has the greater the chance of developing retinopathy. In the late stage of diabetes, the concurrent retinopathy may cause vitreous proliferation and traction, leading to tractional retinal detachment.

3. Middle-aged and elderly people

As we age, the vitreous humor of the eye gradually liquefies, and along with various retinal degenerations, the risk of retinal detachment increases.

4. People with eye injuries

Generally, severe blunt trauma, penetrating trauma or severe eye trauma that causes massive vitreous hemorrhage may cause retinal detachment.

What do high-risk groups need to be wary of?

1. People with severe myopia should try to avoid strenuous exercise, such as diving, bungee jumping, etc.

2. Avoid over-straining your eyes. Take a 5-10 minute break after using electronic products for about 40 minutes.

3. For high-risk groups, go to the hospital regularly to check the fundus.

4. Control the primary underlying diseases of fundus diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, to prevent eye complications.

5. People who are engaged in work that is likely to cause eye injuries should pay attention to wearing goggles and take protective measures while working.

6. For children and adolescents, do a good job in myopia prevention and control. When the child is not yet myopic, parents should actively take a series of measures to help the child prevent it. If the child is already myopic, effective measures should be taken in time to slow down the development of myopia and prevent the child from developing high myopia.