Detached or Torn Retina

 A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that usually causes blindness unless treated. The appearance of flashing lights, floating objects, or a gray curtain moving across the field of vision are all indications of a retinal detachment. If any of these occur, you should be seen right away.

As you gets older, the vitreous humor(the clear, gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye) tends to

dehydrate and  shrink. Sometimes as the vitreous

shrinks, it exerts enough force or traction on the retina

to make it tear.

Retinal tears can lead to a retinal detachment. Fluid vitreous, passing through the tear, lifts the retina off the back of the eye like wallpaper peeling off a wall. Laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing) are often used to seal retinal tears and prevent a retinal detachment.

If the retina is detached, it must be reattached before sealing the retinal tear. There are three ways to repair retinal detachments.

Pneumatic retinopexy involves injecting a special gas bubble into the eye that pushes on the retina to seal the tear. 

Scleral buckle requires the fluid to be drained from under the retina before a flexible piece of silicone is sewn on the outer eye wall to give support to the tear while it heals.

Vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel from the eye, replacing it with a gas bubble, which is slowly replaced by the body’s fluids.

Useful Web Sites

•  http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/detached-torn-retina.cfm

Warning Signs

A retinal tear or detachment can often present with the following visual symptoms

• Flashing lights
• New Floaters
• Shadow across the vision

Additional Details

if you are having symptoms of a retinal tear or detachment, please call us for an emergent appointment at

(973)871-2020