Primary retinal detachment is a very serious and blinding ophthalmic disease. It is characterized by rapid onset and progression, and the symptoms of patients are diverse and different. As for its efficacy, it is closely related to timely consultation, correct diagnosis and rapid and effective treatment. Therefore, the treatment of retinal detachment has always been a concern for ophthalmologists and patients. So, what is retinal? What kind of disease is primary retinal detachment and how should its diagnosis and treatment be carried out? Who is at risk for it? We will talk about these in detail. Song Zhengyu, Vision Restoration Center, Shanghai First People’s Hospital The retina is a layer of structure in the human eye, and the cells mainly responsible for seeing objects are located in this layer, so it is crucial for vision. Primary retinal detachment is a condition in which there is a hole or holes in the retina, and then water from the vitreous body flows into the hole, separating the retina from the other structures of the eye that support its nourishment, and as a result, the cells in the retina lose their function, resulting in a dramatic loss of vision. Many patients who are finally diagnosed with primary retinal detachment are surprised: I just feel a dark shadow in front of my eyes for the past two days, I just look like I have water ripples in front of my eyes, is that a retinal detachment? Yes, retinal detachment is characterized by a variety of symptoms. The most typical ones are rapid loss of vision, distorted vision, or a large black patch in front of the eye, which means that the retinal detachment is quite serious. However, there are many other early manifestations of retinal detachment that people do not pay attention to, such as the aforementioned floating black shadows and water ripples in front of the eyes. Therefore, once you have these symptoms, it is best to go to the hospital immediately for a proper examination. An experienced doctor will be able to diagnose retinal detachment with a fundoscope. Sometimes, an ultrasound can also be done, which can also clearly show the condition of the retina. Once the diagnosis is clear, it is time for prompt and effective treatment. Depending on the extent of the retinal detachment, the loss of cells in the retina, the location, size and number of holes, the surgeon will perform different surgical procedures. If it is detected early, only the retinal rupture hole is present and there is no retinal detachment yet, it can be treated with laser with the best effect and the least impact on vision. If the retina has detached, but the extent and rupture is not very serious, these patients can take extra-scleral surgery. Once the condition is severe, only vitreous surgery will be performed, while the surgeon will consider filling the eye with gas or silicone oil, depending on the patient’s condition. Unlike other surgical procedures such as appendectomy or cholecystectomy, primary retinal detachment does not recur once these organs are removed. Primary retinal detachment can recur, especially if there is a macular hole. Therefore, after surgery, patients need long-term follow-up, and they should come to the hospital regularly to see how the retina is growing and whether the hole has grown. If you find that the hole has not grown well, you have to make up the laser, and once the retinal detachment has recurred, you have to operate again in time. But don’t worry, as long as the surgery is successful and the retina is reset, you can still recover a little vision. So what kind of people are prone to this disease? Mainly people who suffer from high myopia. Because the retina in the eye of people with high myopia is thinner than normal people, it is more likely to develop a hole and lead to retinal detachment. People who are engaged in certain professions, such as diving and boxing, are also prone to develop retinal detachment because their eyes are easily impacted by external forces. If you find yourself at high risk for retinal detachment, don’t be afraid. As long as you go to the hospital regularly to check the fundus, pay attention to protect your eyes from external impact, and seek medical attention as soon as you find the symptoms mentioned above, the prognosis is still relatively good. In conclusion, primary retinal detachment is a very serious eye disease. Early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are essential. Especially for the high-risk group, they should pay more attention to regular follow-up and no injury in general. Only in this way can its damage to vision be minimized.