What is a detached retina like?

Flashes and floaters: You might see sudden flashes or floaters in your vision. Floaters are small, dark shapes that appear to float in your field of vision. Flashes are brief streaks of light that dart across your field of vision.

Loss of peripheral vision: You might start to lose peripheral (side) vision, but central vision is usually maintained until later stages.

Blurry or wavy vision: Your central vision might become blurry or wavy. Straight lines might appear crooked or broken, and objects might appear smaller than they actually are.

A shadow or curtain over your vision: You might see a dark shadow or curtain moving across your field of vision.

Complete loss of vision: In some cases, retinal detachment can lead to complete loss of vision in the affected eye.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help improve the chances of preserving vision in the affected eye.