What is a retinal detachment (RD)?
Retina detachment signifies, in a general sense, separation of the retina from its normal position.
What are the types of retinal detachment?
There are usually three types of retinal detachment, with the fourth being a combination of the first three.
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) - the most common type that occurs due to a retinal or a break in the retina, allowing vitreous fluid to move into the sub retinal space and separate the retina from its normal position. These are usually managed by simple surgical interventions such as a scleral buckle (a band placed on the outside of the eye) or by vitrectomy.
- Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) - Usually seen in patients with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, these usually occur due to forced pulling in the retina due to growth of fibrous tissue inside the eye. They do not have a hole in the retina. Management of these detachments usually requires vitrectomy to release of these 'tractional' forces.
- Secondary or serous retinal detachment - usually occurs, as the name suggests, due to some other reason inside or outside the eye. This can be from a benign growth in the eye, to cancer somewhere else in the body. Management includes treatment for the primary condition.
