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Please find below answers to commonly asked questions about retinal detachment.
If I have a detached retina in one eye will I get it in the other?
For some people with a retinal detachment in one eye there is a greater possibility of this happening in the other eye. Any symptoms demand a prompt eye examination by an eye doctor. Both eyes will be examined and preventive treatment may be recommended.
Will I be able to see properly again?
If the operation to reattach your retina is successful, it will usually bring back some, but not all, of your sight. Gas or silicone fluid in the eye may mean the retina does not function fully immediately after operation and recovery of sight can be a gradual process. It can take up to three months for the final visual outcome.
Will I be able to continue with my normal way of life?
Normal activities without any restrictions may be resumed immediately, except initially as dictated by posturing requirements. Ask your ophthalmologist when you may return to work.
Can I continue to drive?
The law requires you to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and insurance company of any change in health or sight likely to affect the safety of your driving. You must be able to read a number plate at 20.3 metres (25 yards) in good daylight and with spectacles if worn. You must also have an adequate field of vision. To drive when unable to meet both these requirements is a criminal act and invalidates insurance. Inability to meet standards requires you to notify the DVLA. You should not restart driving until you have had confirmation that your vision meets the standards. A report may be requested from your ophthalmologist. Standards are more stringent for vocational drivers. For more detailed information, please contact the DVLA.
