Retinal Detachment Follow-up
- Author: Gregory L Larkin, MD, MS, MSPH, FACEP; Chief Editor: Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH more...
Further Inpatient Care
Immediate ophthalmologic referral is mandatory for patients with retinal detachment.
Transfer
In some cases, transfer to a facility with an available ophthalmologist or retinal specialist is in the patient's best interest after initial ophthalmologic evaluation. Make these decisions in accordance with the patient's wishes and the direction of the ophthalmologic consultant.
Complications
- Loss of acuity and blindness is the most common complication of a retinal detachment.
- Loss of vision to hand motion or light perception is a frequent complication of retinal detachments (RDs) that involve the macula.
Prognosis
- Ultimate outcome depends upon the time the retina is detached, the underlying mechanism of the RD, and whether the macula is involved.
- Prognosis is related inversely to the degree of macular involvement and the length of time the retina has been off.
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