Vision For Life

Retinal detachment

floaters2

What is the retina?

The retina is the inner layer of the eye, like the “bladder” of a soccer ball.  It is the part of the eye which detects light focused by the eye and transmits visual messages to the brain.

What is a retinal detachment?

A retinal detachment occurs when the retina peels away from the inside wall of the eye.  When a retinal detachment occurs, flashes or light, floaters and loss of vision can occur.

Retinal detachment can occur in anyone but is more common on those who are myopic (“short-sighted”) or have recently undergone eye surgery such as cataract surgery.

How is retinal detachment treated?

The only effective treatment for a retinal detachment is surgery.  The most common type of surgery to treat retinal detachment is known as a “vitrectomy” in which the vitreous gel inside the eye is removed and the retina reattached to its correct position, usually with the use or gas or oil.
Retinal detachment2