What is an Exudative Retinal Detachment or Serous Retinal Detachment?

Exudative (or serous) retinal detachment is one of three types of the condition and the least common. The other two are called tractional and rhegmatogenous. The different forms of the disease are down to the initial cause, rather than the effect. All three cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye but do so for quite different reasons.

The seriousness of exudative retinal detachment is variable. Some are self-limiting and have a good prognosis—others can be chronic and irreversible. The key message for any kind of retinal detachment, be it exudative or another kind, is to get prompt medical attention.

Exudative Retinal Detachment

• What is exudative retinal detachment?
• Is serous retinal detachment the same?
• Risk factors for exudative retinal detachment

What is exudative retinal detachment?

Exudative retinal detachment is when the thin layer of cells at the back of the eye—called the retina—peels away from its position. In other types of detachment, this is caused either by a hole or tear in the retina or by traction caused by scar tissue. However, in the case of exudative detachment, none of these criteria are present.

Instead, the cells are pushed away by a buildup of fluid that collects between the back of the eye and the retina.

Is serous retinal detachment the same?

Yes, serous retinal detachment is another name for exudative retinal detachment.

Risk factors for exudative retinal detachment

This type of detachment is most usually caused by swelling in the back of the eye or fluid (blood or plasma) leaking from the fine network of vessels that deliver blood to the area. 

There are many reasons this might happen, including:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Eye tumors
• Trauma to the eye
• Any disease that causes inflammation within the eye
• A rare eye disorder, known as Coats’ disease, that causes abnormalities to the blood vessels at the back of the eye. It’s very rare, affecting only 1 in 100,000 people (males more than females)

All retinal detachments, whatever the cause, are serious and can be sight-threatening. The sooner they’re diagnosed and treated, the more positive the outcome. Left untreated, a detachment will cause irreversible loss of sight. This is because the sensitive retinal cells can only last a short amount of time without a blood supply. The most serious are those that involve the center of the retina, an area known as the macular.

There are some early signs that might be indicative of an upcoming detachment and require specialist attention. 

• Seeing flashing lights
• An increase in size or number of floaters in your vision
• Increasingly blurry vision

The sign of an active detachment is the appearance of a curtain-like dark shadow sweeping down from the top or top corner of your vision. This is a true emergency as it means the retina is tearing away from its position. While it’s painless, it requires urgent intervention. If you’re unable to go straight to your eye doctor, then head to the ER straight away.

Get Treatment for Exudative Retinal Detachment at the West Boca Eye Center

Retinal detachment diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment are a specialty at the WBEC. Our academic-grade facility means that we can treat every element of eye health, from routine care to sight-threatening emergencies.

Such expertise is vital in the case of an exudative detachment because of the high variance of recovery. We work with our patients to provide the ultimate treatment to ensure that even the highest-risk person can benefit from their best possible eyesight for their entire life.

Don’t leave your precious eyesight to chance. Discover more about our emergency procedures at https://westbocaeyecenter.com/services/eye-infections-and-emergencies

Exudative (or serous) retinal detachment is one of three types of the condition and the least common. The other two are called tractional and rhegmatogenous.

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