1. A common feature of all types of retinal detachment is:
a. Separation of the pupil from the lens of the eye.
b. Separation of the retinal pigment epithelium from the neurosensory retina.
c. Buildup of vitreous gel within the vitreous body of the eye.
d. Tear in the conjunctiva resulting in corneal separation.
2. Which of the following is false? Select all that apply.
a. Retinal detachment has no genetic/ familial component
b. Increased age and severe myopia are not risk factors for retinal detachment
c. Signs of retinal detachment may be seeing flashes of white light and floaters in the field of vision
d. Retinal detachment can be treated with laser therapy
e. This is not a medical emergency unless your central line of vision is obstructed.
f. You are not able to travel by plane after a vitrectomy operation.
3. A 65 year old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of visual auras (floaters and flashes) in his right eye. He also complains that he has a shadow of blindness in parts of his visual field. After an assessment, it was determine that the patient had a retinal tear and was at risk for a retinal detachment. The nurse demonstrates his understanding of retinal detachment when he says the following:
a. It is a medical emergency but surgery is never required for correction
b. Some symptoms of a retinal detachment include flashes, floaters, and visual disturbances that are bilateral
c. Retinal detachment occurs when the light sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye wall begin to detach from the tissue
underneath it
d. A nurse cannot conduct a physical eye assessment but may use a Snellen chart to help test visual acuity
Answer Key:
a. Separation of the pupil from the lens of the eye.
b. Separation of the retinal pigment epithelium from the neurosensory retina.
c. Buildup of vitreous gel within the vitreous body of the eye.
d. Tear in the conjunctiva resulting in corneal separation.
2. Which of the following is false? Select all that apply.
a. Retinal detachment has no genetic/ familial component
b. Increased age and severe myopia are not risk factors for retinal detachment
c. Signs of retinal detachment may be seeing flashes of white light and floaters in the field of vision
d. Retinal detachment can be treated with laser therapy
e. This is not a medical emergency unless your central line of vision is obstructed.
f. You are not able to travel by plane after a vitrectomy operation.
3. A 65 year old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of visual auras (floaters and flashes) in his right eye. He also complains that he has a shadow of blindness in parts of his visual field. After an assessment, it was determine that the patient had a retinal tear and was at risk for a retinal detachment. The nurse demonstrates his understanding of retinal detachment when he says the following:
a. It is a medical emergency but surgery is never required for correction
b. Some symptoms of a retinal detachment include flashes, floaters, and visual disturbances that are bilateral
c. Retinal detachment occurs when the light sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye wall begin to detach from the tissue
underneath it
d. A nurse cannot conduct a physical eye assessment but may use a Snellen chart to help test visual acuity
Answer Key:
- B. Separation of the RPE from the neurosensory retina is the common feature in all types of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment refers to the neurosensory retina detaching from the retinal pigment epithelium.
- A, B, E, (A) False, personal and familial history are risk factors for retinal detachment. (B) False, increased age and severe myopia are risk factors. (C) True, these are the main signs of retinal detachment. (D) True, this is one of the treatments. (E) False, it is always a medical emergency. (F) True, high altitudes can increase intraocular pressure.
- C. (A) Surgery is a potential treatment option. (B) Symptoms are often unilateral. (D) Both assessments must be done.