Detached Retina Facts

Retinal detachment occurs in one out of 10,000 Americans a year. The retina, a thin layer of tissue in the back of the eye, pulls away from the supportive tissue underneath. The entire retina can become detached without treatment.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of retinal detachments include flashing lights and floaters, which are dark specks, dots and strings in the field of vision. Other more serious symptoms are shadows that obstruct vision, and a sudden loss of vision.

Causes

• Blunt trauma to the head, eye injuries, genetic history, diabetes and cataract surgery can all lead to the detachment of the retina.

Treatment

• Although mild cases of retinal detachment may not require it, surgery is the only treatment for repairing the retina. There are several surgical methods available, all of which are usually successful.

Prevalence

• Detachment of the retina can occur in all ages. It occurs most commonly in young adults, ages 25 to 50, who are highly nearsighted, and in older people who had cataract surgery.

Prevention

• Safety glasses should be worn in sports and when engaging in activities such as wood working, when small pieces of debris can fly into the eye. Keeping blood sugar levels close to normal and treating a retinal tear as soon as possible are other preventive measures against retinal detachment.