Editing Retinal detachment (section)

== Diagnosis ==
[[File:Distacco di retina.jpg|thumb|243x243px|Fundus photograph showing a retinal detachment]]
[[File:Retinal Detachment.jpg|thumb|Ultrasound showing a retinal detachment|178x178px]]The gold standard for diagnosing retinal detachment is a [[dilated fundus examination]] to check the back of the eye using an indirect [[Ophthalmoscopy|ophthalmoscope]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":12" /> This often involves a technique called scleral depression, which helps provide a clear view of the entire retina.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":13" /> A [[slit lamp]] examination of the front of the eye may also reveal small pigment particles, called Shafer's sign, which may indicate a retinal tear.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

If the view of the retina is not clear, imaging techniques such as ultrawide-field [[fundus photography]], [[B-scan ultrasonography]], and [[Optical coherence tomography|optical coherence tomography (OCT)]] may help to identify a detachment.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /> Fundus photography provides a detailed view of the back of the eye, potentially revealing retinal tears or breaks.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":10" /> On B-scan ultrasonography, a detached retina typically appears as a membrane floating in the vitreous cavity, moving in a wave-like motion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-01 |title=Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Features, Part 1 |url=https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/rhegmatogenous-retinal-detachment-features-part-1#:~:text=TOTAL%20RETINAL%20DETACHMENT |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=American Academy of Ophthalmology |language=en}}</ref> OCT can detect fluid behind the retina, involvement of the macula (the central part of the retina), and other abnormalities within the retinal layers.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |title=Atlas of Retinal OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography |date=2023 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-323-93104-5 |editor-last=Duker |editor-first=Jay S. |edition=2nd |location=Amsterdam |editor-last2=Waheed |editor-first2=Nadia K. |editor-last3=Goldman |editor-first3=Darin |editor-last4=Desai |editor-first4=Shilpa J.}}</ref>

[[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] and [[CT scan]]s are less commonly used for the diagnosis of retinal detachment, but they may be useful in certain cases.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":7" /> In an emergency department setting, bedside ultrasonography can also be used for diagnosis.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" />