What is the Difference Between Retinal Degeneration and Retinal Detachment?
Hello, everyone! This is Mário Bulla, and welcome to the Retina e Vítreo channel, your main source of information on retinal diseases. If you haven't already done so, take the opportunity to leave your like and comment on that question you've always had about the retina, but never found the answer to. It's a pleasure to answer your questions, and when the question is very interesting, like today's, we make a video to explain it to everyone.
Today, we're going to clarify a very common question among our followers: what is the difference between peripheral retinal degeneration, such as lattice degeneration, and retinal detachment. Although they are different conditions, they are interrelated in an important way.
**Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is a serious condition in which the retina detaches from the underlying layer, the retinal pigment epithelium. This detachment can lead to total loss of vision if not treated quickly. Initial symptoms include the perception of floaters (small floating dark spots), flashes of light in the peripheral vision and, eventually, a dark spot that spreads across the visual field. Without treatment, vision can be permanently lost.
Treatments for retinal detachment vary according to the severity and stage of the condition. In the beginning, laser photocoagulation can be used to seal small areas of detachment. If the detachment progresses, more invasive procedures such as pneumatic retinopexy, scleral introflexion or vitrectomy may be necessary to repair the retina and restore vision.
*Peripheral Retinal Degeneration*
On the other hand, peripheral retinal degeneration, including the lattice type, represents alterations in the periphery of the retina. Although they are not detachments as such, these degenerated areas can be points of weakness in the retina. Often, these degenerations cause no symptoms and are discovered during routine examinations, such as retinography or retinal mapping.
Lattice degeneration and snail track are examples of degenerations that can predispose to retinal detachment. In these conditions, the retina is thinned and the vitreous (gelatin of the eye) can adhere more firmly to the retina. When the vitreous detaches, it can tear the retina in the degenerated area, initiating a retinal detachment. In patients with high myopia, the chance of an atrophic hole in the retina is even greater, increasing the risk of detachment.
*Relationship between Retinal Degeneration and Retinal Detachment*
Although degeneration and retinal detachment are different conditions, peripheral degeneration increases the risk of detachment. For this reason, when we detect peripheral retinal degeneration, even without a detachment, we often recommend laser photocoagulation. This procedure strengthens the area around the degeneration, reducing the risk of detachment.
**Conclusion
In summary, retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent loss of vision. Peripheral retinal degeneration, on the other hand, is a condition which, although generally asymptomatic, can increase the risk of detachment and should therefore be monitored and treated preventively.
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This video and its comments are not a substitute for a doctor's consultation and are for educational purposes only. They should not be used for decision-making purposes, which requires a face-to-face consultation with a specialist doctor.
Author:
Dr. Mário César Bulla
Cremers 28120
Ophthalmologist - Retinologist
www.clinicabulla.com.br
www.especialistaemretina.com.br
Instagram: @retina.bulla
Video URL: • Descolamento e degeneração da retina,...
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0:00 Retinal detachment and retinal degeneration, what's the difference?
1:05 What is retinal detachment?
1:20 What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
1:40 How can retinal detachment be treated?
1:50 What are retinal degenerations?
2:40 Does lattice degeneration lead to retinal detachment?
