Retinal Detachment Workup

  • Author: Gregory L Larkin, MD, MS, MSPH, FACEP; Chief Editor: Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH   more...
 
Updated: Sep 8, 2010
 

Laboratory Studies

Laboratory tests are generally unhelpful in detecting retinal detachment, but they may be useful for patients who have underlying medical problems that need to be managed. Subsequent testing may be necessary to detect underlying causes or related illnesses.

Next

Imaging Studies

  • Imaging techniques, such as orbital films, CT scans, or MRIs, are not necessary or indicated to assist the diagnoses retinal detachment, but they may be necessary to detect intraocular foreign bodies and tumors.
  • A prospective observational study on use of ultrasound scans by ED physicians in patients with signs of retinal detachment showed a 97% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 82-100%) and 92% specificity (95% CI, 82-97%) on 92 examinations (29 retinal detachments).[3]
  • If the retina cannot be visualized because of corneal changes, cataracts, or hemorrhage, ultrasonography is necessary.
    • A scan ultrasound and B scan ultrasound both can assist the diagnoses of RD and differentiate it from posterior vitreous detachment. They also can differentiate rhegmatogenous from nonrhegmatogenous detachment.
    • In exudative detachments, the presence of underlying subretinal tumors, choroidal hemorrhage, or detachment can be detected by ultrasound.
Previous
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Gregory L Larkin, MD, MS, MSPH, FACEP  Professor of Surgery, Associate Director of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, Section of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine

Gregory L Larkin, MD, MS, MSPH, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Joseph A Salomone III, MD  Associate Professor and Attending Staff, Truman Medical Centers, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine; EMS Medical Director, Kansas City, Missouri

Joseph A Salomone III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, National Association of EMS Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Douglas Lavenburg, MD  Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Christiana Care Health Systems

Douglas Lavenburg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH  Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia Health System

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Medical Society of Delaware, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Haimann MH, Burton TC, Brown CK. Epidemiology of retinal detachment. Arch Ophthalmol. Feb 1982;100(2):289-92. [Medline].

  2. Subramanian ML, Topping TM. Controversies in the management of primary retinal detachments. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2004;44(4):103-14. [Medline].

  3. Shinar Z, Chan L, Orlinsky M. Use of Ocular Ultrasound for the Evaluation of Retinal Detachment. J Emerg Med. Jul 20 2009;[Medline].

  4. Day S, Grossman DS, Mruthyunjaya P, Sloan FA, Lee PP. One-year outcomes after retinal detachment surgery among medicare beneficiaries. Am J Ophthalmol. Sep 2010;150(3):338-45. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  5. Blaivas M, Theodoro D, Sierzenski PR. A study of bedside ocular ultrasonography in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. Aug 2002;9(8):791-9. [Medline].

  6. Roberts JR, Hedges JR. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 3rd ed. WB Saunders; 1998.

  7. Rosen P, Baker FJ, Barkin RM. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Vol 1. Mosby-Year Book; 1988:1033-49.

  8. Rosen P, Barkin RM, Sternbach GL. Essentials of Emergency Medicine. Mosby-Year Book; 1991:553-66.

  9. Tintinalli JE, Krome RL, Ruiz E. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. McGraw-Hill; 1992:833-40.

  10. Wilkes SR, Beard CM, Kurland LT, et al. The incidence of retinal detachment in Rochester, Minnesota, 1970-1978. Am J Ophthalmol. Nov 1982;94(5):670-3. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
Anatomy of the eye.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
Retinal detachment. Courtesy of UT Southwestern Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.