Retinal Detachment: 5 Signs to Take Seriously

The retina is the tissue at the back of your eye that allows you to “see.” It takes incoming light and converts it into electrical signals, which it sends to the brain for processing by way of the optic nerve. If anything should happen to the retina, such as if it detaches from the tissue that holds it in place, it can cause permanent vision loss.

The expert team of ophthalmologists at Retina Specialists diagnoses and treats retinal detachments at our offices in Dallas, DeSoto, Plano, Mesquite, and Waxahachie, Texas. Because retinal detachments are so serious, we want to discuss the signs you need to be aware of so you can get immediate medical attention.

What is a retinal detachment, and how does it happen?

A retinal detachment occurs when the light-sensing tissue separates from the layer of blood vessels that provides it with oxygen and other nutrients. Because the tissue can’t survive without proper nutrition, the longer it goes without treatment, the greater the risk of permanently losing vision in the affected eye.

There are three different types of retinal detachment:

1. Rhegmatogenous

A rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is the most common form, occurring when you develop a small tear or break in your retinal tissue. When this happens, the gel-like fluid in the eye’s center (the vitreous) can move behind the retina, pushing the tissue away from the back of the eye and causing it to detach.

Aging is the most common cause of this form of detachment. As you get older, the vitreous can change in texture and may shrink. When it shrinks, the gel pulls on your retina and tears it.

Eye injuries, eye surgery, and nearsightedness can all increase your risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, as well.

2. Tractional

A tractional detachment happens when scar tissue on the retinal tissue pulls it away from the back of your eye.

The most common reason for tractional retinal detachment is diabetic retinopathy — an eye disease in people who have diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy damages the blood vessels that nourish the retina and can lead to scarring on the tissue. As the scars get bigger, they can pull the tissue away from the wall, detaching it from the back of your eye.

If you have diabetes, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year to check for problems. Controlling your blood sugar effectively can also help you prevent or delay vision loss.

3. Exudative

An exudative retinal detachment happens when fluid builds up behind your retina, but you don’t have any tears or breaks in the tissue. If enough fluid becomes trapped in this space, it can push the retina away from the back of your eye, causing it to detach.

The most common causes of this type of detachment are leaking blood vessels or swelling in the back of the eye, most commonly caused by eye trauma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or eye tumors.

5 characteristic signs of a retinal detachment

There are five major signs that your retina is detached:

1. Sudden appearance of specks or squiggly lines in your field of vision
2. Flashes of light in one or both eyes
3. Blurred vision
4. Your peripheral (side) vision becomes worse
5. A “curtain” falls over your field of vision

If you notice any of these signs, get immediate medical attention. This is an emergency situation.

If you’re experiencing any of the signs of a retinal detachment, call Retina Specialists ASAP at any of our five Dallas-area locations to schedule an emergency appointment with one of our ophthalmologists.