What is a retinal detachment?
The retina is a very complex structure that normally lies flat against the back of the eye and is crucial for normal vision in animals and humans. It is a ten-layered neurologic structure that is responsible for collecting light impulses which are then transferred to the brain and interpreted as vision. The first steps and chemical responses that start the visual process occur in the retinal tissues and it is imperative that the retina remains healthy and in its normal position for our pets to have normal visual function. When the retinal cells detach from their normal position, they cease to function appropriately, and the patient becomes blind.
What causes retinal detachments?
Severe trauma, tumors, fungal infections, inflammation, genetic predisposition, high blood pressure, complications from ocular surgery, or immune system dysfunction problems can all lead to retinal detachment in animals.
Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of retinal detachment is extremely important for your pet’s general health and prognosis for retention or return of vision. Depending on what caused the detachment and how long the retina has been detached, in some cases the retinas can be reattached (medically or surgically) and vision restored.
How are retinal detachment diagnosed?
Symptoms of retinal problems can vary widely, ranging from subtle and vague to sudden and severe visual disturbances. Pets with vision problems in different lighting situations or problems with catching objects may have early retinal disease. Retinal tears or complete detachments can result in sudden, complete vision loss. Evaluation of the retinal tissues requires specialised equipment in order to identify subtle or early changes in retinal health or position. Early detachment is best identified with the specialised equipment and training that your our ophthalmologists can provide.
What can be done about a retinal detachment?
In late 2016, Eye Clinic for Animals (ECA) started to do the first retinal reattachment surgeries in Australia. With the help of Associate Professor Alex Hunyor, a leader in human retinal reattachment surgery. ECA has now completed many successful retinal reattachment surgeries. Surgery itself is technically very difficult, requires very committed owners, and represents the most complicated surgery that we at ECA perform.
Success: Grading our patients prior to surgery.
Anatomic success and visual success are different – so far we have reattached retinas in over 90% of our patients; however functional success and improvement in vision depends on how long the retinal detachment has been present and how badly damaged the retina is. So far, we have an improvement in vision in over 70% of cases.
NOTE: the improvement may only be light perception or motion detection, but for some pets this can lead to a significant improvement in quality of life. Visual return can take anywhere from 2-16 weeks.
- The quicker we address the detachment the better.
- Some vision prior to surgery always has a better outcome.
- A response to bright light with a squint is very important.
- Pupillary light reflexes (PLR) are good signs.
- The overall structure of the retina and health of the retinal blood vessels is important.
- Glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure is a poor prognostic sign.
- Hyphema (globe filled with blood) is also a poor prognostic sign.