What Is a Detached Retina?

What Is a Detached Retina?

 A detached retina is when the retina lifts away from the back of the eye. The retina does not work when it is detached, making vision blurry. As we get older, the vitreous gel in our eyes starts to shrink and get thinner. As the eye moves, the vitreous moves around on the retina without causing problems. But sometimes the vitreous may stick to the retina and pull hard enough to tear it. When that happens, fluid can pass through the tear and lift or detach the retina.

Who is at Risk of a Detached Retina?

Patients who are at greater risk for detached retina are those who:

• Are nearsighted and need glasses to see far away
• Have had eye surgery such as cataract surgery
• Have had a serious eye injury
• Have had a retinal tear or detachment in the other eye
• Have family members who had retinal detachment
• Have weakened areas in their retina from thinning or degeneration

What are Symptoms or Warning Signs of a Detached Retina?

• Sudden Flashes of Light. Some people say this is like seeing stars after being hit in the eye.
• New Floaters. These can look like specks, lines or cobwebs in your field of vision.
• A Shadow in Your Side Vision.
• A Gray Curtain covering part of your field of vision.

A detached retina is a serious problem. If you experience any warning signs of a detached retina you need to have it examined immediately or you risk losing vision. Please call North Jersey Eye Associates 973-472-4114, or visit North Jersey Eye Associates or Facebook.

North Jersey Eye Associates is a comprehensive eye care practice staffed by NJ ophthalmologists and eye specialists located at 1005 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013 (P) 973-472-4114-an affiliate of Prism Vision Group.