Signs & Symptoms of a Detached Retina

The retina of the eye sends visual images through the optic nerve to the brain. A detached retina occurs when the retina is torn away from its position at the back of the eye. This should be considered a medical emergency, because it will result in vision loss if not treated promptly. Symptoms can appear gradually or suddenly. Pain is not a symptom of a detached retina.

Floaters

• Seeing floaters can indicate a detached retina, but they may simply result from a separation of the vitreous gel from the retina, a fairly common occurrence. The floaters may look like little dark spots or dark cobwebs.

Flashing Lights

• Another symptom of a detached retina is flashing lights in the peripheral vision. Again, this can occur from the vitreous gel separating from the retina, or pulling on it. Some people say the lights look like lightning.

Black Dots

• A large number of black dots appearing across the field of vision may indicate a hemorrhage has occurred associated with a detached retina.

Blurred Vision

• Sudden and unexplained blurred vision also may indicate a detached retina.

Shadows

• Symptoms more definitively indicating a detached retina include a shadow in the peripheral vision field, or a dark veil across part of the field of vision.