The retina lines the back inside section of the eye. A retinal detachment occurs when this lining pulls away from the eye. Symptoms include black spots in vision, flashes of light and a dark "veil" that covers a section of the side vision. These symptoms require immediate attention, even if they occur on a weekend or late at night. Understanding the possible complications of a detachment may encourage a person with symptoms to seek treatment.
Vision Problems
The light-sensitive tissue that makes up the retina sends information to the optic nerve, which is then sent to the brain, explains the National Eye Institute. This process converts light to a visual image, making the retina a vital part in good, clear vision. A retinal detachment pulls the light receptors away from the back of the eye, eliminating the pathway for the retina to send information. As a result, a person with a detachment will feel they have a section of vision missing, though the rest of the vision may appear normal. If left untreated, the detached section of the retina will fail, and even if reattached in the future, the retina will not function, resulting in permanent vision loss. In addition, an untreated detachment will often continue to worsen, causing the retina to gradually continue to pull away from the back of the eye. This may cause complete loss of vision in the eye.
Recurrence
If a person has a detachment and a repair, the person will run the risk of a recurrent detachment. This may occur as a result of the detachment repair surgery, or simply as a matter of the eye's make-up. For example, a person with a high nearsighted prescription has an increased risk for detachments, says MayoClinic.com. This is due to the person having a long eye shape, instead of perfectly round. Also, a detachment in one eye puts a person at greater risk for having a detachment in the other eye as well.
Surgery
Retinal detachments require surgical repair, and the surgery comes with a few complications. Surgical risks include infection, increased eye pressure and bleeding, says The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Some people also require cataract surgery within a few months or a few years after retinal detachment surgery. After surgery, vision may take months to return, and may not return to its pre-detachment clarity.
