BUSAN, South Korea — Emergency rooms are seeing a surge in patients with serious retinal conditions, prompting eye specialists to stress the critical importance of the golden hour for retinal emergency surgeries. Conditions such as retinal detachment and central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated within hours of onset, highlighting the need for heightened public awareness.
The retina, a delicate layer of neural tissue lining the inner wall of the eye, captures light and converts it into signals the brain interprets as vision. Retinal emergencies often strike suddenly, leaving a narrow window for effective intervention to prevent irreversible vision loss.
Retinal detachment occurs when this vital tissue separates from the eye wall, initially presenting as a shadow or partial visual field loss that can expand to cause complete vision impairment if untreated. Alongside retinal detachment, central retinal artery occlusion, acute retinal necrosis, and severe ocular trauma-related retinal damage require immediate medical intervention.
Dr. Kim Byoung Seon, director of GRAND BS Eye Clinic, notes that these emergencies can affect individuals of all ages and are more frequent among patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. Those with high myopia are at increased risk due to thinner retinas, making them vulnerable to trauma or sudden intraocular pressure changes.
The treatment timeline varies by condition: central retinal artery occlusion requires intervention within 90 minutes to 2 hours, while retinal detachment allows 24 to 48 hours if the macula remains unaffected. If the macula is involved, surgery must be expedited. Acute retinal necrosis and infectious endophthalmitis demand treatment within hours to minimize complications.
The urgency stems from the retina’s similarity to brain tissue, which rapidly deteriorates without oxygen and nutrients. Retinal neurons, once damaged, do not regenerate, making the speed of restoring blood flow or reattaching the retina critical to visual prognosis.
For retinal detachment, the first 90 minutes post-onset represent the optimal treatment window, with recovery prospects declining sharply if missed. Patients with pre-existing floaters should seek immediate ophthalmologic care if they notice a sudden increase in dark spots or partial vision loss, Dr. Kim advised.
When facing a retinal emergency, patients should seek facilities equipped with systems prioritizing urgent eye cases, readily available operating rooms, and intensive post-surgical monitoring. Comprehensive follow-up outpatient care is also essential.
Health In News Team
press@hinews.co.kr