Detached Retina (Flashers/Floaters)

Although not very common, a detached retina, if it occurs, can cause severe irreversible blindness. Most retinal detachments have no known reason as to why they occur. Some occur due to previous retinal scarring (as in diabetic retinopathy or premature infants with retinal damage) or due to fluid collection under the retina (such as ocular tumors). Most detachment, though, have a retinal tear or hole associated with them. Such tears can occur in highly myopic (near-sighted) individuals, those with a history of trauma, or idiopathically (for no known reason). Retinal detachments typically present with flashes of light and the ability to see many floaters within the eye. Some people experience a total or partial loss of their peripheral visual field. Others experience distortion of their central vision. If that is the case, an immediate examination, evaluation, and treatment are necessary in order to preserve as much of the remaining vision as possible. Retinal detachments can either be treated simply with a laser or cryotherapy (freezing), placing a buckle around the eye (the gold-standard surgery), placing a gas bubble for tamponade reasons within the eye, or invasive intraocular surgery (vitrectomy). The treatment depends on the type of detachment, extent of the detachment, and location of the retinal tear or lesion.