Retinal Detachment and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Trauma to the eye can result in permanent visual loss or damage. Motor vehicle accidents can cause penetrating or traumatic injuries to the eyes which can result in retinal detachment. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident and have experienced a traumatic injury to the eye it is important for you to understand the physical ramifications of such an injury and the need to seek immediate medical attention due to this potentially debilitating injury.

What is Retinal Detachment?

The back of each eye is lined with an extremely thin tissue called the retina. The retina is light-sensitive and sends visual messages to the brain through the optic nerve. Trauma to the eye caused through impact or penetration by a foreign object can lead to tearing or even complete detachment of the retina. Traumatic injury to the eye of this type is a common occurrence in motor vehicle accidents. Even if the trauma of an accident caused merely a hole or a tear, a retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the back of the eye as a result of the same. Though a complete detachment may not have occurred at the time of the accident, the injury sustained can lead to retinal detachment at a later time. It is important to become aware of the symptoms of retinal detachment in order to seek medical attention immediately should they occur.

Symptoms

One of the initial symptoms of retinal detachment is the experience of floaters which are best described as free-floating strands, webs or spots seen by the effected individual along with the experience of lightning streaks in the outside edges of the eye. Floaters that are experienced by themselves without the accompaniment of other symptoms are usually related to another condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and not specifically to retinal tearing. Flashing lights described as lightning steaks experienced at the periphery of the eyes along with floaters is a strong sign of probable retinal tearing. Once a retinal tear progresses to a detachment, the patient will experience a curtain or shadow area that affects any part of their vision. When a curtain or shadow area appears, consultation with an ophthalmologist should occur immediately so that a diagnosis can be obtained and treatment can begin.

Possible Treatments

Tears and small holes in the retina are treated by using a freeze treatment called cryopexy or with laser surgery. Retinal detachments require in-patient surgery where a tiny plastic band called a sclera buckle is attached to the outside of the eyeball and serves to push the eye back against the detached retina. Another possible treatment is a vitrectomy which requires a tiny incision in the sclera (the white of the eye) where a small instrument removes the vitreous fluid. Following the removal of the vitreous, a gas is injected into the white of the eye to replace the vitreous which then pushes the retina back against the wall of the eye. As the eye heals, it begins to make more vitreous fluid that ultimately replaces the gas and fills the sclera.

Eighty percent of patients who go through surgical repair of retinal detachments experience success, however with an additional surgery; ninety percent of attachments are successful. Long-term follow-up by an ophthalmologist is required in order to ensure prolonged success and the continued health of your vision.

Sources

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS & Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, "Retinal Detachment Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment and Risks," MedicineNet.com

Author Not Listed, "Facts About Retinal Detachment [NEI Health Information]," National Eye Institute