Retinal detachment is a serious
condition that requires prompt treatment to prevent vision loss. Each year,
the condition affects about 20,000 people in the United States.
The retina is the light-sensitive lining that lies smoothly against the
back of your eye. Like film in a camera, the retina captures light from
objects in front of you and sends the information through the optic nerve to
the seeing portion of your brain.
Behind the retina is a thin layer of blood vessels that supplies oxygen and
nutrients to your eyes. Retinal detachment occurs if the retina separates from
this layer of vessels.
Causes include:
- Tears or holes in the retina are common causes of retinal detachment. An
eye injury can lead to tears and holes, as can aging. As you age, the main
part of your eyeball – the vitreous body – can shrink and sag,
possibly leading to a retinal tear. Once the retina has a tear or hole,
the jellylike vitreous fluid can leak under the retina, causing it to
separate from the layer of blood vessels.
- A tumor or an inflammatory disorder is a less common cause of retinal
detachment.
An eye with a detached retina quickly loses its ability to see. Unless the
detached retina is surgically reattached, you may permanently lose your
vision.
Nearsighted people are more prone to retinal detachment, as are people
who’ve had cataract removal surgery. The disease is more common in men than
women, and in whites than people of other races. Retinal detachment
occasionally affects several members of the same family, so there may be a
genetic factor.
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