Introduction

The retina is the neurosensory tissue that lines the back wall of the eye. Like the film in a camera, the retina is responsible for creating the images that one sees. The center of the retina is called the macula and is the only part capable of fine detailed vision, i.e. reading vision, recognizing faces, etc. The remainder of the retina, the peripheral retina, is for side vision. The retina outside the center of the macula, which makes up more than 95% of the retina, is not capable of the fine detailed vision.

01

Floater and Flashes

The eyeball is filled with a clear transparent semi solid gel like substance called the vitreous humour. It normally completely fills the eyeball and it sticks to the entire surface of the retina. However, it undergoes liquefaction (becomes watery) and falls away from the retina and floats freely in the cavity of the eye, This process is called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This occurs naturally in normal people as a result of ageing and commonly occurs in middle aged people. It is also more common in shortsighted people and also after cataract surgery.

Floaters are the symptoms of this condition although other conditions like bleeding in the eye eg from diabetic retinopathy or inflammation can also cause floaters. This can take various forms and appear as dots, spots or lines or cobwebs. In the initial stages it is often associated with flashes of light which are sensation of streaks of light with movement of the eye. This can appear even in the dark as it is due to retinal stimulation from movement of the gel. The pulling of the gel can cause retinal bleeding or in more severe cases tears of the retina.

Floaters and flashes are important symptoms that need to be attended to. This is especially if they are new and of recent onset. The only way to exclude retina bleeding or tears is to have a full eye examination including a dilated retina check. Fortunately, most people do not have any retina problems following the vitreous detachment and the floaters will then gradually subside. The symptoms will persist for weeks to months and in some people will continue be annoying. There is no specific medical treatment for vitreous floaters and surgery is not usually advised. Tears of the retina may be treated with laser to seal the tears and prevent retinal detachment from occurring.

02

Retinal Detachment

03

Idiopathic Macular Hole

04

Macular Pucker (Wrinkling of the retina)

Send Us An
Thank you for your kind interest in Eye & Retina Surgeons, please fill up the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
*
*
*
Information
Eye & Retina Surgeons
#13-03
Camden Medical
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Fax : (65) 6738 2111
Eye & Retina Surgeons
#10-63
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road,
Singapore 329563
Fax : (65) 6734 8394
After Clinic Hours
Operating Hours
Mon - Fri
Sat
9.00 am - 5.00 pm
9.00 am - 12.00 pm
Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays
Our Sub-Speciality Services
Eye & Aesthetic Surgeons
Eye & Cornea Surgeons
Eye & Glaucoma Surgeons