C53203: PVD and retinal detachment, an optometric approach - part 2

Part 1 described the different types of retinal detachment. We will now concentrate on rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD).

Retinal detachment is a condition that causes concern to optometrists, because it has the potential for permanent reduction of acuity if the early indications are not recognised and treatment instigated soon enough. This is because a detached macula will never regain full function despite successful anatomical reattachment. A survey¹ of legal complaints handled by the AOP involving retinal detachment showed that deficient care could often be attributed to not evaluating symptoms, and not paying sufficient attention to risk factors.

Risk factors

Figure 1 shows that the incidence of retinal detachment is highest in axial myopes.