Dr. Francis DeCroosQ: What is a retinal detachment?
A: The retina is a tissue in the back of the eye that converts light into an electrical signal to travels to the brain. Without a healthy retina, clear vision is not possible. A retinal detachment is an abnormal separation of the retina from the wall of the eye. This separation can be caused from a variety of reasons, including tearing of the retina. The retina typically tears from excessive pulling from the vitreous gel, which fills the inner cavity of the eye. The gel can sometimes be strongly attached to the retina and cause a retinal tear. Other causes of retinal detachment include eye inflammation, malignancy and scar tissue formation. Symptoms of retinal detachment frequent include floaters, flashes and a curtain starting in the side vision and moving towards the central vision. Certain conditions lead to a higher risk of retinal detachment including eye injury, family history of retinal detachment and nearsightedness.
– Dr. Francis C. DeCroos, Southern Retina Associates; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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