Can coughing cause retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment is the separation of the retinal neuroepithelium and pigment epithelium. If retinal detachment is not treated in time, it may cause detachment of the macula, which will seriously affect vision and color vision, and even complete loss of vision. Why does coughing cause retinal detachment?

Severe coughing can cause the liquefied vitreous to have a certain impact on the retina. If there are already deformed or broken areas on the retina at this time, the fluid from the vitreous can enter the retina through the retinal holes, which may cause retinal detachment.

Which group of people are prone to retinal detachment?

High myopia

Myopia is a high-risk factor for retinal detachment, especially for high myopia. The higher the refractive power, the greater the risk. This does not mean that patients with lower myopia will not suffer from retinal detachment.

The eyeball of a myopic person is longer than a normal eyeball. When the refractive power of the eyeball increases, the eye axis lengthens, the back wall of the eyeball gradually expands, the retina of the fundus becomes thinner, and the weaker areas around it will cause holes to form retinal holes, which in turn pulls the retina and easily leads to retinal detachment. This is related to congenital factors such as retinal elasticity.

Middle-aged and elderly people

Retinal detachment is more common in middle-aged and elderly people between the ages of 40 and 70. As people age, the vitreous body of the eye gradually liquefies and degenerates, accompanied by various retinal degenerations, and the risk of retinal detachment increases.

Diabetic population

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.

History of eye injury

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

Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital kindly reminds you that retinal detachment is very harmful. The above high-risk groups should check their fundus regularly. If you experience symptoms such as flashing lights, decreased vision, visual field defects, visual field changes, distorted vision, and fixed black shadows in front of your eyes, you should pay attention. These may be a precursor to retinal detachment and must be taken seriously!