Define
What is the Retina?
the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball
What are the most common clinical manifestations of this disorder?
floaters, flashes of light, blurred vision, shadow/curtain over vision, loss of peripheral vision.
What are psychological effects of this disorder?
increased anxiety, depression, and overall decrease quality of life.
What is an ocular assessment?
Visual acuity testing (Snellen chart), Pupil response to light, examination to detect retinal tears or detachment, Observation for floaters or flashes as reported by the patient
What are common risk factors?
Age, family history, past eye surgery, eye injury, diabetic retinopathy
What is retinal detachment
when the thin layer of tissue behind the eye separates from the rest of the eye
What are floaters?
The sudden appearance of of small shapes or specks across your field of vision
What is diabetic retinopathy?
A chronic disease which increases the risk of tractional retinal detachment due to scar tissue forming on the retina.
What cranial nerves should be tested?
cranial nerves II (optic), III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear), and VI (abducens)
What is Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?
Caused by a tear or break in the retina, allowing vitreous fluid to seep underneath and lift the retina.
What are the 3 types of retinal detachment?
rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative
What is Photopsia?
The medical term for seeing flashes of light in vision.
What is the effect on the CNS?
Retinal detachment hinders the ability to send signals to the brain due to the eyes inability to communicate with the visual cortex resulting in vision loss.
What other body systems should be assessed?
Cardiovascular, endocrine, and integumentary (skin)
what is tractional retinal detachment
Occurs when fibrous or scar tissue pulls the retina away from the back of the eye, often seen in diabetic retinopathy
What is the most common type of retinal detachment?
Rhegmatogenous
Where does vision loss occur first?
Peripheral vision is lost first due to the retina detaching at the edges. This causes the shadow/curtain effect of the sides of vision.
How does retinal detachment cause vision loss?
The retina’s detachment interrupts its ability to transmit visual signals to the brain, severely affecting vision
What is Ophthalmoscopy, also known as fundoscopy?
A medical examination that is used to detect retinal tears and detachment.
what is exudative retinal detachment?
Fluid builds up beneath the retina without a tear, often due to inflammatory diseases, injury, or tumors.