The retina is a transparent lining of tissue along the back wall of the inner eye. The function of the retina is to receive an image from the cornea and send it through the optic nerve to the brain for processing. The retina can separate from the back wall of the eye due to conditions such as diabetes and trauma to the head or eye. This condition, referred to as a retinal detachment, is a medical emergency because without treatment, permanent damage, including blindness, may occur. Recognizing the symptoms of a detached retina is important for early treatment.
Floaters
A clear, gel-like material, called the vitreous humor, fills the center portion of the eye and gives the eye its round shape. Small bits of the vitreous can break free from the back portion of the eye. As an individual ages, the vitreous begins to thin out and liquefy. Bits of the gel vitreous can float in the liquefied vitreous. As light passes through the eye, an individual sees a shadow from these bits of vitreous. The shadows, referred to as floaters, appear as spots, flecks, strings or webs in the visual field and do not cause pain. It is easiest for an individual to see the floaters when looking at the blue sky or a sheet of white paper. When the retina begins to detach from the eye, an individual may experience an increase in the number of floaters seen in the eye. The increase in floaters may occur gradually or suddenly, according to the National Eye Institute.
Light Flashes
As the retina detaches, an individual may see bright yellow flashes of light, especially in the peripheral vision, with the eyes open or closed. The sudden flashes may occur in one or both eyes, according to MayoClinic.com.
Vision Changes
As the retina begins to detach from the back of the eye, the blood vessels supplying the retina begin to bleed. This bleeding begins to mix with the vitreous humor in the center of the eye. This bleeding causes vision problems for the affected individuals. Some people may experience blurred vision and not see fine details. Other individuals can lose the visual field in a part of the eye. This vision loss may occur as a shadow over a portion of the normal visual field or as an increasing area of grayness, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association.
