Retinal detachment Retinal detachment

What is Retinal detachment ?

Retinal detachment it is when a thin layer of tissue (the retina) at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position.
Retinal detachment separates the retinal cells from the layer of blood vessels that provides oxygen and nourishment to the eye. The longer retinal detachment goes untreated, the greater your risk of permanent vision loss in the affected eye.

Symptoms

Retinal detachment itself is painless. But warning signs almost always appear before it occurs or has advanced, such as:

The sudden appearance of many floaters — tiny specks that seem to drift through your field of vision
Flashes of light in one or both eyes (photopsia)
Blurred vision
Gradually reduced side (peripheral) vision
A curtain-like shadow over your field of vision

How can I prevent retinal detachment?

Since retinal detachment is often caused by aging, there's often no way to prevent it. But you can lower your risk of retinal detachment from an eye injury by wearing safety goggles or other protective eye gear when doing risky activities, like playing sports.

If you experience any symptoms of retinal detachment, go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. Early treatment can help prevent permanent vision loss.

It's also important to get comprehensive dilated eye exams regularly. A dilated eye exam can help your eye doctor find a small retinal tear or detachment early, before it starts to affect your vision.