About retinal detachment
What is retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is when the thin layer at the back of the eye (retina) becomes loose.
Unless treated urgently retinal detachment can permanently affect sight and can cause blindness.
How common is it?
It is a relatively common misconception that retinal detachment occurs secondary to boxing or other direct trauma. In fact this is rarely the case. Our research is directed at investigating the genetic risk factors for retinal detachment, particularly in children where retinal detachment can be so devastating in terms of life-long visual loss.
Why is our research into the genetic causes of retinal detachment still important?
In contrast to most other blinding retinal disorders, blindness from retinal detachment can now be largely prevented but only if the source genetic abnormalities continue to be discovered and timely genetic diagnosis is made.
Our special focus on Stickler syndrome
Stickler syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting connective tissues leading to problems with vision, hearing and movement.
Stickler syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 7,500 to 9,000 newborns worldwide. Retinal detachment is a common cause of visual loss in patients with Stickler syndrome; it is estimated to occur in up to 65% of affected patients and is the most common inherited cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Our pioneering research helps to support families living with Stickler syndrome and assists us to optimally manage retinal detachment for all patients.
