What is a Retinal Detachment?

• Retinal detachment is usually caused by holes or tears in the retina.
• Retinal detachment is most common in short sighted people, in those who have had previous eye surgery, and in those people who have had an eye injury, but can affect anyone.
  
• Retinal detachment is often preceded by the appearance of flashing lights and floating spots.
  
• Retinal detachment is serious and often requires urgent treatment.

For most people the initial event is when the vitreous gel that normally fills the eye, begins to separate from the retina. This is often the cause of the flashing lights as the retina experiences pulling forces. Floating spots often form as small tissue fragments are pulled away but floating spots can also represent blood caused by tearing of the retina. If you have sudden onset of flashes and floaters seek urgent attention from an eye doctor. In most cases the gel separates without harm but occasionally it results in a tear in the retina.
This photo shows a tear in the retina caused by an invisible strand of vitreous gel pulling on the "flap" of the tear. In many cases the tear will not progress to a retinal detachment but if the flap is held open sufficiently then fluid passes underneath the retina and lifts if away from the retinal pigment epithelium. The retina then peels from the back of the eye like wallpaper peeling off a wall. If all the retina detaches it may resemble a plastic bag washing about in a bucket of water.

If the retina detaches a shadow forms in the vision and eventually eyesight becomes blurry or dark.

This photo shows a detached retina thrown into lumpy grey folds. Vision would be severely affected. Urgent surgery is required to prevent further loss of vision.

If you think you have a detached retina seek urgent attention from an eye doctor.