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Retinal Detachment
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Eyes Vision

Retinal Detachment

A retinal detachment is a medical emergency where the retina lifts or pulls from its normal position, requiring immediate professional care to prevent permanent vision loss.

Overview

The retina is a layer of tissue in the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. It provides the sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving, and seeing fine detail. A retinal detachment occurs when this tissue lifts or pulls from its normal position.

Causes & Risk Factors

While it can occur at any age, retinal detachment is more common in people over age 40. It affects men more than women and whites more than African Americans. You are at a higher risk if you:

  • Are extremely nearsighted
  • Have had a retinal detachment in the other eye
  • Have a family history of retinal detachment
  • Have had cataract surgery
  • Have other eye diseases or disorders
  • Have had an eye injury

Symptoms

Symptoms of a retinal detachment include:

  • An increase in the number of floaters (little "cobwebs" or specks that float in your field of vision)
  • Light flashes in the eye
  • The sensation that there is a "curtain" over your field of vision

Treatment & Management

A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you experience any symptoms, see an eye care professional immediately. If not promptly treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Treatment includes different types of surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

While occasional floaters are common and often benign, a retinal detachment is signaled by a sudden, significant increase in floaters, often described as a "shower" of specks, accompanied by new light flashes or a dark shadow or curtain moving across your peripheral vision. If you experience these specific changes, particularly if they occur in one eye, you must seek emergency eye care immediately, as this indicates the retina is actively pulling away and time is critical to prevent permanent vision loss.
Recovery varies by surgical method, but most patients require several weeks to months for the retina to fully reattach and stabilize. You will likely be restricted from bending over, lifting heavy objects, or engaging in strenuous activity for a period determined by your surgeon. If a gas bubble was used during the procedure, you may need to maintain a specific head position for several days to weeks to keep the bubble in place and prevent flying, as the gas can expand at high altitudes.
Yes, having a retinal detachment in one eye significantly increases the likelihood of developing a detachment in the other eye. Because the underlying structural weaknesses, such as lattice degeneration or vitreous changes, are often bilateral, your uninvolved eye is at higher risk. It is standard medical practice to have the non-affected eye monitored closely, and in many cases, prophylactic laser treatment is recommended to seal weak spots and prevent a future detachment.
If you are extremely nearsighted, your eyeball is elongated, which stretches the retina and makes it more susceptible to tears. To reduce risk, avoid high-impact activities that involve sudden head movements or direct trauma to the face, such as boxing, contact sports, or heavy weightlifting with straining. Regular dilated eye exams are essential to monitor for lattice degeneration or other weak spots, and you should report any new flashes or floaters to your eye care provider immediately.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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