Retinal Detachment / Detached Retina


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There is a sack containing vitreous jelly inside they eye. This sack is attached to the inside of the eye - the retina. If the eye is subjected to trauma, the sack can pull against the retina. If the trauma is sufficient, the sack may tear a section of the retina. You may experience flashing lights in your peripheral vision. Sometimes the retina may pull away from the eye wall and fluid flow in to fill the space - a Detached Retina. Cells may also enter the vitreous jelly and cause an increase in floaters.

Detached retina is painless but can lead to blindness if it is not treated. 

Risk factors include:

  • Middle and old age people are more likely to suffer.
  • Family history of detached retina increases the likelihood of its occurrence.
  • Severely short sightedness where the eyeball is elongated and the retina is thinner than normal.
  • Cataract patients who have weakened bonds with choroids. 
  • Diabetics who may have diabetic retinopathy where blood vessels underneath the retina weaken and rupture. 

Symptoms include a loss of vision particularly if it is sudden, sustained appearance of floaters in the visual field and brief flashes of light in the eye. Surgical intervention is required to treat detached retina. 

There are various treatments for retinal detachment. Photocoagulation laser treatment can be used to treat a detached retina by creating a scar around the edge of the retinal hole and then fusing the retina to the choroids so that fluid cannot get in. An ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) may use another technique known as Scleral buckling were silicone bands are sewed to the outside of the eyeball. This makes the wall of the eye ‘buckle’ inwards and the hole is bridged and the retina reattaches. This procedure effects vision by causing some shortsightedness. Pneumatic Retinopexy involves fixing the perimeter of the retinal hole by freezing or by laser treatment and then using a gas bubble to rest in the area so that the retina reattaches naturally. 

Retinal detachment cannot be prevented but regular eye tests will enable it to be detected at an early stage so that it can be treated before there is too much damage. Diabetics should reduce their risk by controlling their sugar levels. 

For further details, visit the Macular Degeneration Guide.



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