A detached retina occurs when the retina is pulled or falls away from its normal position. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. It converts visual images into nerve impulses in the brain that allow us to see.

Many factors can cause retinal detachment. These include:

• Eye trauma—damage from blunt or penetrating injuries to the eye, which may be caused by:
  • Sports-related activities
  • Blunt trauma
  • Flying objects
  • Car accidents
• Severe nearsightedness —This causes an unusually elongated eyeball, which can lead to increased risk for retinal detachment.
• Cataract surgery —This and many other types of eye surgery can increase the risk of retinal detachment.
• Scar tissue in the eye, especially if it contracts
• Tumors in the eye
• Certain other eye and medical disorders

A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for retinal detachment include:

• Increasing age—With age, changes occur in the eye that can lead to an increased risk of retinal detachment.
• Previous retinal detachment in the same or other eye
• Severe nearsightedness
• Family members with retinal detachment
• Holes or tears in the retina
• Trauma

Retinal detachment is painless. However, if it is not treated quickly, a detached retina can cause permanent, partial, or total vision loss. If you have any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor immediately:

• Sudden appearance or increase in the number of “floaters,” which are shapes that float in the eye and are seen in the field of vision
• Brief flashes of light in the eye
• Loss of the eye’s central or peripheral field of vision
• A curtain appears to fall over part of the visual field
• Sudden changes or blurring of vision

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a thorough eye exam. Tests may include:

• Eye exam—The pupil is dilated with eye drops, and the inside of the eye is examined with a lighted instrument called an ophthalmoscope.
• Ultrasound—The doctor uses sound waves to examine the eye.

Treatments may include:

• Cryotherapy (or cryoretinopexy)—A freezing probe is used to seal the retina back into its normal position.
• Diathermy—Heat is used to seal the retina back into its normal position.
• Laser retinopexy—A laser is used to make tiny burns around the area of detachment. This seals down the surrounding retina often preventing further detachment.
• Pneumatic retinopexy—A special type of gas bubble is injected into the eye. The gas bubble pushes the retina back into place.

All of these procedures are often combined with other procedures or surgeries.

• Vitrectomy—the surgical removal of vitreous fluid that is pulling on the retina and causing detachment
• Scleral buckle—the surgical placement of a flexible band around the eye

If you are diagnosed with a detached retina, follow your doctor's instructions .