Gordon Brown recently had his annual eye check up at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, a statement from 10 Downing street said that surgeons discovered two tears to his retina of his remaining good eye.

Mr Brown said “I had been to see my doctors, they looked at my eyes. I did have a lot of operations when i was young, i went through quite a difficult time. They managed to save my eyesight and it is not deteriorating, everything is fine”

Further operations are not required as surgeons have found no deterioration or no significant change to his vision.

To view the original BBC interview click here

Moorfields Eye Hospital treat over 270,000 patients a year across the entire range of ophthalmic specialties. And in partnership with the Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital also lead the world’s most extensive ongoing ophthalmic research program, achieving the highest possible score in all recent assessment ratings.

Retinal Detachments

A detached retina is the separation of the neural layer from the underlying supportive tissue, this may only affect a small area or be very extensive, nonetheless this is a serious and sight-threatening event. If the retina is not reattached soon after detachment, sight may be lost as the retina cannot operate with these layers detached.

Source: All About Vision

As the retina detaches the patient may notice flashes of light when moving their eyes around, they may also experience ‘floaters’ which move with the eye and then settle as the eye rests, this may be due to a Vitreous detachment which often proceeds a retinal detachment. The Vitreous is a transparent gel substance filing the back of the eye ball. Another sign of a retinal detachment is the patient will notice a progressive loss of visual field as a shadow or a curtain descending from the top of the eye or across from the side.

These signs may be progressive, developing slowly as the retina separates from the supportive tissues or this can occur without warning if the retina detaches immediately.

Retinal detachments can cause irreversible loss of vision if not treated immediately. If you experience any of these signs consult your optician right away or if in doubt go straight to A&E (Casualty) for urgent treatment, your odds of recovering loss vision will increase with immediate action.

Treatment for Detached Retina

Retinal tears can be treated with a laser by sealing off leaking blood vessels and destroying new blood vessel growth, however if the area of the detachment is large surgery may be required.

For more information on Retinal detachments, causes, symptoms, signs, and treatments visit these links below:

Detached Retina at All About Vision

Wikipedia

Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Andrew Marr’s interview with Gordon Brown at the BBC