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Summary
The retina is a layer of tissue in the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. It provides the sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. A retinal detachment lifts or pulls the retina from its normal position. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in people over age 40. It affects men more than women and whites more than African Americans. A retinal detachment is also more likely to occur in people who
- Are extremely nearsighted
- Have had a retinal detachment in the other eye
- Have a family history of retinal detachment
- Have had cataract surgery
- Have other eye diseases or disorders
- Have had an eye injury
Symptoms include an increase in the number of floaters, which are little "cobwebs" or specks that float about in your field of vision, and/or light flashes in the eye. It may also seem like there is a "curtain" over your field of vision.
A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If not promptly treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. If you have any symptoms, see an eye care professional immediately. Treatment includes different types of surgery.
NIH: National Eye Institute
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Retinal Detachment
(National Eye Institute)
Symptoms
- Retinal Detachment: Torn or Detached Retina Symptoms (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
- Dilating Eye Drops (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus) Also in Spanish
- Retinal Detachment: Torn or Detached Retina Diagnosis (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Retinal detachment repair - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Retinal Detachment: Torn or Detached Retina Treatment (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
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Facts about Floaters
(National Eye Institute)
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Vitreous Detachment
(National Eye Institute)
Images
- Flashes and Floaters (Logical Images)
- Retinal Detachment Vision Simulator (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Retinal Detachment
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
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Finding an Eye Care Professional
(National Eye Institute)
Also in Spanish
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National Eye Institute
Patient Handouts
- Retinal detachment (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Retinal detachment repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish