The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. An eye is like a camera. The lens in the front eye focuses light onto the retina as the film that lines the back of a camera.
What Causes Retinal Detachment?
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached. Vision is blurred like a camera picture would be blurry if the film were loose inside the camera. It is a very serious problem that will cause blindness unless it is treated.
What Causes Retinal Detachment?
The vitreous is a clear gel that fills the middle of the eye. As we get older, the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Usually the vitreous separates from the retina without causing problems. But sometimes the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places. Fluid may pass through the retinal tear, lifting the retina off the back of the eye, like wallpaper can peel off a wall.
The following conditions increase the chance that you might get a retinal detachment:
• Nearsightedness
• Previous cataract surgery
• Glaucoma
• Severe injury
• Previous retinal detachment in your other eye
• Family history of retinal detachment
• Weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your Ophthalmologist
If you are concerned about your risk of retinal detachment please call Doctor & Associates at 203-227-4113 to schedule an eye examination.
