RPE detachment vs. Retinal Detachment

[calofan]

What is the difference between an RPE detachment and a retinal detachment?

In a retinal detachment isn't there a break in the retina, which means that the RPE layer would also be invovled?

I'm really confused.....
I know that the retina is made up of layers and that the outermost layer is the RPE. Also, I seem to recall reading that there are three main types of retinal detachments: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. Where does the RPE detachment come in, can it be caused by any of the three (rhegmatogenous, tractional, or exudative) means?

Also, why is RPE more commonly associated w/ macular degeneration but retinal detachments are not?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

In a retinal detachment the RPE is not detached and the detached part is in the sensory retina, it is much larger, usually due to a hold in the inner retina, is not associated with choroidal neovascularization and tends to get larger with time.

A RPE detachment is very small, very localized, does't tend to spread and the detachment is under the sensory retina and the RPE. it may or may not have CNV and may or may not be a threat to sight.

The two conditions are not related in cause.  a RD does not cause RPE Detchament.

Go to Google images and search the two terms and see what they look like.

JCH MD

[calofan]

Thank you for the explanation!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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