Retinal detachment (1)

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue that lies smoothly aganist the inside back wall of the eye and sends messages to the brain through the optic nerve.Underneath the retina is the choroid (a thin layer of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the retina.

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina esparates from the choroid.

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and time is critical. Unless the detached retina is promptly surgically reattached, this condition can cause permanent loss of vision in the affected eye.

The good news is that warning signs often appear before retinal detachment occurs, and early diagnosis and treatment by a specialist trained in eye diseases and conditions (ophthalmologist) can save your vision.

Signs and symptoms:

Retinal detachment is painless, but visual symptoms almost appear before it occurs.Warning signs of retinal detachment include:

• The sudden appearance of many floaters "small bits of debris in the field of vision that look like spots, hairs or strings and seem to float before the eyes.

• Sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes.


• A shadow or curtain over a portion of the visual field.


• A sudden blur in the vision.
  

In most cases, these signs and symptoms don't indicate a serious problem. However , if the patient does have a retinal tear or retinal detachment, prompt treatment is necessary to preserve the vision.