Retinal Detachment

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is typically painless and often occurs gradually, although symptoms can be sudden. Retinal tear or detachment symptoms include:

• The sudden appearance or increase of floaters
• Flashes in vision
• A shadow in vision that typically appears from the side (periphery)
• A sudden change in vision, including loss of central vision, a “darkening” of vision, or “wavy” vision

What Causes Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment can happen to anyone, but there are some common underlying causes. You should have regular eye exams and be aware of potential retinal detachment symptoms if you have any of the following risk factors:¹

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Glaucoma
• Previous eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
• Severe trauma or injury to the eye
• A personal or family medical history of retinal detachment or retinal diseases
• Retinal weakness that has been identified by your eye doctor

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment is typically painless and often occurs gradually, although symptoms can be sudden. Retinal tear or detachment symptoms include:

• The sudden appearance or increase of floaters
• Flashes in vision
• A shadow in vision that typically appears from the side (periphery)
• A sudden change in vision, including loss of central vision, a “darkening” of vision, or “wavy” vision

What Causes Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment can happen to anyone, but there are some common underlying causes. You should have regular eye exams and be aware of potential retinal detachment symptoms if you have any of the following risk factors:¹

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Glaucoma
• Previous eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
• Severe trauma or injury to the eye
• A personal or family medical history of retinal detachment or retinal diseases
• Retinal weakness that has been identified by your eye doctor

Treatment for Retinal Detachment

Your ophthalmologist will conduct an examination to determine if you have a retinal tear or detachment. If you do, they will use diagnostic tools to determine the severity. There are several treatment options for retinal detachment. The goal of treatment is to reattach the retina, which typically requires surgery. Approximately 90% of retinal detachment treatments are successful, although secondary treatments are sometimes required.²

Your eye doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you depending on your specific case. Retinal detachment treatments include:

• Cryotherapy also called cryopexy, is a freezing method that can help the retina reattach.
• Laser photocoagulation is a surgical procedure that uses a specialized laser to reattach the retina.
• Pneumatic retinopexy in which a bubble of air or gas is injected into the eye to move the retina back into position.
• Scleral buckle is a procedure that places a band over the eye to relieve pressure from the retina.
• Vitrectomy is a surgery to drain and replace the vitreous, which is the gel-like substance in front of the retina.

¹ American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/detached-torn-retina Accessed June 10, 2020.
² The American Society of Retina Specialists. Retinal Detachment. Available: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/6/retinal-detachment Accessed June 10, 2020.