The retina is nerve tissue that lines the inner portion of the eye. The function of the retina is to sense light and relay nerve impulses through the optic nerve to the brain. Conditions may occur that cause the retina to detach or pull away from the eye. Immediate medical evaluation and treatment is necessary to prevent permanent damage to the eye, such as blindness. The retina has warning signs so yearly eye evaluations can help diagnose a retinal detachment before serious damage occurs. Symptoms of a detached retina include a sudden development of floaters, flashing lights or blindness, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Injury
Direct trauma to the eye can cause the retina to detach from the eye. Blunt force injury is the most common cause for the retinal detachment. Blunt injury to the eye occurs from accidents such as a finger stick to the eye, or being hit with an object like a fist, baseball bat or tennis ball. The injury can cause a tear in the retinal, which leads to the retinal detachment. The tear may occur due to the injury, but not progress to a detachment for months to years later, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions increase the risk of developing a retinal detachment. Marfan syndrome is a condition that affects the connective tissue in the body. The syndrome can affect the tissue in the heart, bones and joints, as well as the eye. Other medical conditions that increase the risk of having a detached retina include extreme nearsightedness, uncontrolled diabetes, cataracts, degenerative myopia and a history of a previous retinal detachment.
Posterior Vitreous Detachment
The vitreous is a clear substance with a jelly-like consistency that fills the eyeball. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a separation of the vitreous from the retina. This common condition affects up to 75 percent of individuals over 65 years old, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People. As an individual ages, the vitreous can begin to pull away from the retina. This condition may lead to the retina detaching from the wall of the eye. Symptoms of posterior vitreous detachment include an increase in seeing floaters and seeing flashing lights. There is currently no medical treatment for PVD.
References
- University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Eye Trauma
- Royal National Institute of Blind People: Posterior Vitreous Detachment
- National Marfan Foundation: Eye Emergencies
- "The Journal of the American Medical Association": Retinal Detachment
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Retinal Detachment
