Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

The RMA defines this as “retinal detachment associated with a retinal tear”. This is the most common type of retinal detachment, and can occur:

• as a result of changes within the eye due to ageing;
• in association with retinal disease; or
• as a result of trauma, such as a hard solid blow to the eye.

The retina is a fine sheet of nerve tissue lining the inside of the eye. Rays of light enter the eye and are focused on the retina by the lens. The retina produces a picture which is sent along the optic nerve for the brain to interpret. It's rather like the film in the camera being developed so that pictures can be produced

Usually the retina is attached to the inner surface of the eye. If there is a tear or hole in the retina then fluid can get underneath it. This weakens the attachment so that the retina becomes detached - rather like wallpaper peeling off a damp wall.

Detachment of the retina happens more to middle aged, short sighted people. It is quite uncommon however and only about one person in ten thousand is affected. Very rarely, younger people can have a weakness of the retina. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (where there is a tear in the retina) is seen more frequently in myopia, after cataract surgery or following ocular trauma.

Signs and symptoms

Retinal detachment is painless. Premonitory symptoms may include dark or irregular vitreous floaters, flashes of light, or blurred vision. As the detachment progresses, the patient notices a curtain or veil in the field of vision. If the macula is involved, central visual acuity fails drastically.

A detached retina must be surgically repaired – commonly by a procedure called scleral buckle.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 18 JULY 2006.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [31491]

31492 there is some evidence that rhegmatogenous retinal detachment may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

31493 the veteran has suffered rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at some time.

31519 the veteran has suffered rhegmatogenous detachment of the retina of side and site of the body at some time.

31495 the veteran suffered from rhegmatogenous detachment of the retina of side and site of the body at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31497  the veteran has established the causal connection between rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31498   the veteran has established the causal connection between the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

31499   the veteran has established the causal connection between the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [31498]

31504  the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [31499]

31507  the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.