Retinal Detachment

What Is Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment is a serious condition that occurs when the retina separates from the outer layers of the eye. As the retina separates, the supply of oxygen and nourishment normally supplied from the blood vessels is cut off.

Consequently, permanent and rapid vision loss can occur within a short amount of time. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from an eye specialist.

Retinal detachment usually occurs after retinal tears have developed in the eye.

Retinal Detachment Symptoms

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment include the following:

Other Causes

There are also more serious causes of floaters in the eye, including:

  • Inflammation in the eye
  • Infection
  • Tearing or trauma in the retina
  • Traumatic injury in the eye
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Hemorrhaging
  • Eye Tumors

Anyone who notices a sudden increase in eye floaters should see an eye doctor to obtain a complete diagnosis.

Experiencing these symptoms? Schedule an appointment with our retinal specialists today and schedule your retinal detachment surgery.

Risk Factors

  • Family history of retinal detachment
  • Severe myopia
  • Previous eye injuries
  • Age (over 40 years old)

Diagnosis of Retinal Conditions

Diagnosing retinal conditions will require a comprehensive eye exam, including:

  • Dilated eye examination to inspect the retina
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detailed retinal imaging

Further tests include:

  • Ultrasound imaging if the fundus is obscured
  • Fluorescein angiography to assess blood flow in more complicated cases

Why Early Diagnosis is Crucial

Early diagnosis of retinal conditions is vital to prevent irreversible vision loss. Ignoring symptoms can lead to complete detachment, which is more challenging to treat. Regular eye exams can detect issues before symptoms appear, ensuring immediate & prompt care.

Our Retinal Conditions Specialist

Dr. Wong Chee Wai

MBBS (Singapore), M.Med (OPHTH), FAMS (Ophth)
MCI (Singapore), PHD (UTRECHT)
Senior Consultant | Eye Surgeon
Sub-specialties: Retinal Conditions, Cataracts
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese

Fellowship Trained Specialist


Former Consultant at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)


Former Clinical Lead of the High Myopia Clinic at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)


Started the Surgical Retina Service at Sengkang Hospital
Former Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Medical School

Dr Wong obtained his Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the National University of Singapore. He completed his Basic and Advanced Specialist Training in Ophthalmology at the Singapore National Eye Centre, obtaining his Master of Medicine (Ophthalmology) qualification from NUS in 2012.

In 2015, he received his specialist accreditation as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS) as the top candidate in the Specialist Exit examination in Ophthalmology, where he was awarded 3 gold medals for Best Candidate in Cornea and Refractive, Ethics as well as Neuro-ophthalmology. After having obtained his specialist accreditation, he also successfully completed his Vitreoretinal subspecialty fellowship training for both Medical and Surgical Retina at the Singapore National Eye Centre

Dr Wong is also an accomplished researcher, having published more than 60 research articles and holds several research grants in the field of myopia and ocular drug delivery.

Dr Wong has been awarded multiple accolades for his research work, including travel grants, prizes at international ophthalmology conferences and the SingHealth Publish Award in 2015.  He also completed the Master’s in Clinical Investigation with NUS in 2015, a PhD in ocular drug delivery with Utrecht University in 2021.

Dr Wong has contributed significantly to training and education in the ophthalmology field, including serving as committee member in the 2nd Asia Pacific Tele-Ophthalmology Society Congress in 2018, 32nd Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in 2017, the 29th Singapore-Malaysia joint meeting in Ophthalmology in 2014 and the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Meeting in 2013. He has been invited to present lectures at international and regional meetings in India, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.  He has also served as Instructor for a course on retina conditions at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual meeting in 2016, and

He also served as SNEC’s deputy director of undergraduate education since 2018 and was the program director of the Duke NUS graduate medical school’s ophthalmology program.

Dr Wong is also actively involved in the local ophthalmology community as a committee member of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmologists since 2013, and the Chair of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmologists Young Ophthalmologist’s Chapter since January 2020. As part of an ongoing effort to deliver eyecare to underprivileged communities in Singapore, Chee Wai and his team have screened more than 3000 low income elderly patients, performed free cataract surgery and helped many of them regain useful vision.  These efforts have received media coverage, awards and recognition from national agencies. He has also been invited to international and regional meetings to speak on Singapore’s community outreach efforts and experience in building the Young Ophthalmologists community. His efforts have been recognized at the regional level, having been appointed to the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s Young Ophthalmology Standing Committee in September 2020. He is also an active member of the Asia Pacific Young Ophthalmologists, a group comprising of YO leaders from the Asia Pacific Region.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retinal Conditions

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from its supporting layers, often due to aging, trauma , or eye diseases.

Warning signs include sudden constant flashes of light, increased floaters,, and a shadow over your visual field.

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive eye exam, including dilated retinal examination, OCT imaging, and ultrasound if needed.

Vitrectomy is performed to remove the vitreous gel and repair retinal detachment or other vitreoretinal issues.

Untreated retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss, highlighting the importance of seeking immediate care.

Retinal Care at Asia Pacific Eye Centre

At APEC, our experienced retinal specialists use diagnostic tools and surgical techniques to treat retinal detachment, tears, and other retinal related conditions. We prioritise personalised care, ensuring that each patient receives the optimal care for their needs. 

Contact us for comprehensive care and optimal treatments for retinal conditions.

Book a Consultation

Get an eye checkup with us now!

Interested to fix a consult with our eye specialist? Get in touch with us!

Book a Consultation

Get an eye checkup with us now!

Interested to fix a consult with our eye specialist? Get in touch with us!