Retinal Detachment: How A Woman Regained Her Sight with Help from Dr Lee Shu Yen

When a 41-year-old woman suddenly noticed blurring and floating spots in her right eye, she thought it might just be tiredness. However, her symptoms were a sign of something much more serious – a retinal detachment. Thanks to a timely referral to Dr Lee Shu Yen, she received treatment that helped restore her vision.

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Sudden changes in vision

The patient, who has myopia or short-sightedness with a degree of −5.00, began experiencing sudden blurring of vision and new floaters in her right eye over two days. Concerned about the sudden change, she sought medical attention.

Floaters, flashes of light, and blurred or shadowed vision can sometimes mean the retina – the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that senses light – has come loose or torn. This condition is known as retinal detachment, and it requires urgent treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

Diagnosis and findings

During her eye examination, Dr Lee Shu Yen found that the retina in the patient’s right eye had detached due to a large tear in the upper part of the retina. An OCT (optical coherence tomography) scan confirmed that the retina had separated from the inner wall of the eyeball.

Dr Lee explained the findings and discussed the treatment needed to re-attach the retina. Because the condition can worsen quickly, surgery was recommended without delay.

Surgery and early recovery

The patient underwent surgery to repair the retinal detachment. During the procedure, the torn area was sealed with laser treatment, and a small gas bubble was placed inside the eye to help hold the retina in place while it healed.

One week after surgery, the follow-up check showed good progress:

The retina was flat and stable.
The upper tear was securely sealed with laser treatment.
The gas bubble was still present (around 50% of the eye) – a normal and temporary part of healing.
The OCT scan confirmed that the retina had reattached.

After Surgery -Retinal Detachment Surgery

After Surgery 1 - Retinal Detachment Surgery

The importance of early detection

Retinal detachment is an eye emergency. The earlier it is detected and treated, the better the chance of saving your sight. People who are short-sighted (myopic) have a higher risk because their retinas tend to be thinner and more prone to tearing.

This case highlights how recognising the warning signs – such as new floaters, flashes of light, or a sudden curtain-like shadow in your vision – and seeking immediate medical care can make a huge difference.

About Dr Lee Shu Yen

Dr Lee Shu Yen is a senior consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at Advanced Eye Clinic and Surgery. She previously served as the Head of the Surgical Retina department at the Singapore National Eye Centre, leading the team that provided the majority of surgical retina coverage in Singapore.