The sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye is called the retina. The retina has the responsibility of relaying visual information to the optic nerve, which then interprets and transmits visual images to the brain. A retinal detachment occurs when any part of this lining pulls away from the back of the eye, a vision-threatening emergency. Knowing some of the causes for a retinal detachment may help prevent the condition and increase awareness of risk factors.
Injury
Trauma to the eye may cause a detached retina. For example, a baseball can hit the eye or surrounding tissue, jarring the retina and causing it to tear or pull away. Eye injuries sustained when an object penetrates through the eye may also cause a retinal detachment, says New York University's Langone Medical Center. Though many eye injuries cannot be prevented, wearing safety glasses when participating in sports such as paintball or racquetball will protect the eye from direct-force trauma and help prevent a detached retina.
Aging Vitreous
The inside of the eye contains a jelly-like substance called the vitreous, that helps maintain the shape of the eye. As part of normal aging, the vitreous may gently pull away from the retina without causing any serious damage. In some cases, however, when the vitreous tugs at the lining, the retina may tear or pull away from the back of the eye causing a detachment, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Disease
The presence of eye disease such as glaucoma may create an environment for retinal detachments. Also, if the retina has thin, weak areas from retinal disease, these places may easily tear or pull away. Diabetes may cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Due to the effects on the retina, this may lead to a retinal detachment.
Eye Shape
The perfect eye has a round shape like a basketball. Nearsightedness, a condition in which a person can see well close-up, but not from a distance long, is characterized by an oblong-shaped eye. The eye shape causes blurry vision that is usually corrected with eye glasses; however, this condition may also result in a retinal detachment, says the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
