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Retinal detachment

Shadows in your field of view from vitreous change

An emergency where the retina separates from the eye wall.
Left alone, it can cause permanent vision loss —
precision diagnosis and prompt surgery by a
retinal specialist are essential.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment symptoms

Even one of these signs warrants
urgent precision screening.

  • Floaters

    Floaters

    Sudden spike in dust- or fly-like

    floaters in your vision.

  • Flashes

    Flashes

    Flash-like afterimages at the edge

    of vision even in the dark.

  • Visual field loss

    Field loss

    A dark curtain seems to cover

    part of your vision.

Types of retinal detachment

01·03
CASE 1

Rhegmatogenous

Most common — caused by a retinal hole.

The retina thins and tears (rhegma); fluid seeps through the break and lifts the retina from the wall.

CASE 2

Tractional

Scar tissue pulls the retina away.

Conditions like diabetic retinopathy form proliferative tissue inside the eye that tugs the retina off the wall.

CASE 3

Exudative

Inflammation pushes fluid under the retina.

Even without a tear, inflammation or tumours inside the eye cause fluid to pool under the retina.