Detached Retina
A 48 year old male with CdLS has lost sight due to detached retina in both eyes; one about 10 years ago and the other within the past year. He’s had 3 surgeries trying to repair it. Any connection to CdLS? Doctors have no explanation.
Retinal detachment is not uncommon in CdLS. It occurs for one of two reasons:
1. Severe nearsightedness. A nearsighted eye is longer than a normal eye. Although this is usually a problem correctable by glasses, if the eye is too long, then the retina, which lines the inside of the eye, is stretched so much that it can tear leading to retinal detachment.
2. Self inflicted trauma. Many individuals with CdLS engage in a variety of injury to themselves. I know of several children who have injured their eyes in this fashion leading to retinal detachment.
AL/TK 7-13-10
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