The key difference between retinoschisis and retinal detachment is that retinoschisis is a condition where the retina of the eye divides into two or more layers, while retinal detachment is a condition where the retina lifts away from the back of the eye.
The retina is the innermost light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye. It can be identified in most vertebrates and some molluscs. The retina normally converts light that enters the eye into electrical signals. Retinal diseases affect any part of the retina on the inside back wall of the eye. Retinal diseases most often cause visual symptoms. Retinoschisis and retinal detachment are two medical conditions associated with defects in the retina.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Retinoschisis
3. What is Retinal Detachment
4. Similarities – Retinoschisis and Retinal Detachment
5. Retinoschisis vs. Retinal Detachment in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Retinoschisis and Retinal Detachment
7. Summary – Retinoschisis vs. Retinal Detachment
What is Retinoschisis?
Retinoschisis is a condition where the eye’s retina splits into two or more layers. This condition affects the light-sensing layer of the retina and the layer of cells that usually signal to the brain through the optic nerve. In many cases, a genetic mutation causes congenital retinoschisis, and X-linked retinoschisis is related to genes people get from their mothers. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include eyes that turn towards the nose, eyes that move uncontrollably from one side to the other, loss of central vision, peripheral vision, and farsightedness.
Retinoschisis can be diagnosed through ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, B-scan ultrasonography, electroretinography (ERG), angiography, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for retinoschisis may include glasses for refractive errors, cryoablation (cold therapy) or laser therapy to stop the bleeding, gene therapy, stem-cell therapy, and a drug called dorzolamide.
What is Retinal Detachment?
Retinal detachment is a condition where the thin layer of tissue called the retina at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position. Retinal detachment can be caused by a hole or tear in the retina that allows fluid to pass through and collect underneath the retina, scar tissue growing on the retina’s surface, or fluid accumulating beneath the retina without holes or tears in the retina. Moreover, the symptoms of retinal detachment may include the sudden appearance of many floaters or tiny specks that seem to drift through the field of vision, photopsia, blurred vision, gradually reduced side vision, and a curtain-like shadow over the field of vision.
Figure 02: Retinal Detachment
Retinal detachment can be diagnosed through retinal examination and ultrasound imaging. Furthermore, treatment options for retinal detachment may include laser surgery, freezing (cryopexy), injecting air or gas into the eye, and draining and replacing the fluid in the eye.
What are the Similarities Between Retinoschisis and Retinal Detachment?
- Retinoschisis and retinal detachment are two medical conditions associated with defects in the retina.
- Retinoschisis can lead to retinal
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging testing.
- They can be treated through respective surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Retinoschisis and Retinal Detachment?
Retinoschisis is a condition where the retina of the eye divides into two or more layers, while retinal detachment is a condition where the retina lifts away from the back of the eye. Thus, this is the key difference between retinoschisis and retinal detachment. Furthermore, a genetic mutation causes congenital retinoschisis in many cases, and X-linked retinoschisis is related to genes people get from their mother. On the other hand, a hole or tear in the retina allows fluid to pass through and collect underneath the retina. Scar tissue may grow on the retina’s surface, or fluid may accumulate beneath the retina without holes or tears, leading to retinal detachment.
The infographic below presents the differences between retinoschisis and retinal detachment in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Retinoschisis and Retinal Detachment
What are the three types of retinal detachment?
Rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative are three major types of retinal detachments.
What are the 2 major symptoms of retinal detachment?
Bright flashes of light and blurred vision are two major symptoms of this condition.
Can you fix retinal detachment?
The retina can be reattached with one operation more often. However, some patients may need several surgeries to fix the problem.
Summary – Retinoschisis vs. Retinal Detachment
Retinoschisis and retinal detachment are two retinal diseases. In retinoschisis, the retina of the eye divides into two or more layers, while in retinal detachment, the retina lifts away from the back of the eye. So, this is the key difference between retinoschisis and retinal detachment.
Reference:
1. “Retinal Detachment.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Retinal Detachment: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Retinal detachment with large break” By Community Eye Health (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED) via Flickr