Torn or Detached Retina

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of our eye. The middle of our eye is filled with a clear gel called vitreous that is attached to the retina. Sometimes tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous will cast shadows on the retina, and you may sometimes see floaters in your field of vision. As we get older, the vitreous may shrink and pull on the retina.

When the retina is pulled away from the back of the eye like this, it is called a retinal detachment. The retina does not work when it is detached and vision becomes blurry. Usually, the vitreous moves away from the retina without causing problems. But sometimes the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places.

 A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless it is treated with detached retina surgery.

Symptoms of a retinal tear and a retinal detachment can include

•   A sudden increase in size and number of floaters, indicating a retinal tear may be occurring;
•   A sudden appearance of flashes, which could be the first stage of a retinal tear or detachment;
•   Having a shadow appear in the periphery (side) of your field of vision;
•   Seeing a gray curtain moving across your field of vision;
•   A sudden decrease in your vision.

To read the more about Torn or Detached Retina, you should read the original article on geteyesmart.org.

You can also drop in at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore in Florida in and meet with an on-site Independent Optometrist with no appointment needed. All we ask is that you come in 15 minutes prior to your desired appointment time to fill out the required paperwork. 

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