Things to Avoid with Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is a potentially sight-threatening condition. It occurs when the thin layer of light-receiving cells at the back of the eye (the retina) becomes detached from the wall of the eye. 

There are various things an ophthalmologist surgeon can do to rectify the problem. During the recovery period, there are some activities that you should avoid to ensure the best recovery possible. You might also be advised to refrain for good from any activities that have the potential to cause a “whiplash” effect.

Retinal Detachment, How it’s Fixed, & What Not to Do During Recovery and Beyond

• A brief overview of retinal detachment
• How retinal detachment is treated
• During recovery and beyond: things to avoid with retinal detachment

A brief overview of retinal detachment 

The retina is attached to the back wall of the eye. As we age, the jelly-like fluid (vitreous) within the eye changes and shrinks a little. This can cause tugging on the retina, which can cause it to begin to peel away from its location. Another reason this might happen is if there’s a hole or tear in the retina. This allows the vitreous to leak behind and push the retina out of place.

Signs and symptoms of a detached retina are:

• Seeing flashes of light.
• The sudden appearance of new floaters.
• Seeing a dark or shadowy “curtain” begin to fall from the top or outer corner of the eye.

If you experience any of these then you should seek medical assistance straight away.

How retinal detachment is treated

There are various treatments for a detached retina. These include injecting a gas or silicone bubble into the eye, a procedure called scleral buckling that pushes the retina and wall of the eye closer together, and replacing the vitreous within the eye.

Whichever method is used, there is a recovery period of anything up to eight weeks.

During recovery and beyond: things to avoid with retinal detachment

You’ll be advised to take things easy during the first few weeks of recovery. You’ll be told to keep your head in a certain position or not do things like leaning forward for a few days. The exact instructions will depend on the type of retinal detachment surgery you’ve had. In some cases, you might have to lie face down for several days.

Post-recovery and after you’ve been given the all-clear, it’s often OK to return to pretty much all of your regular activities. However, if the strength of the retinal reattachment is uncertain, you might be advised to refrain from high-velocity hobbies. 

Examples include:

• Skydiving
• Riding bumper cars
• Bungee jumping

You might also be told to avoid high-contact sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, and other combat games. If you do play sports where there’s a risk of eye injury (racquetball, baseball, football, tennis, etc.), you should wear appropriate protective eyewear.

If you’ve had a retinal detachment, the risk of another one is higher. So taking steps to avoid this happening is key to ensure you enjoy the very best of eye health.

Cataract Surgery with a History of Retinal Detachment? Contact the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic Today

Because retinal detachment often occurs as we get older—and we also will all get cataracts in later life if we live to a healthy age—it’s common to ask if it increases the risk of cataract surgery.

The simple answer is yes, it can. But it certainly doesn’t stop you from having a cataract operation. At the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic, our expert surgeons specialize in such treatment.

Learn more about us at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com and call today to book a consultation.