Retinal detachment is often referred to as detached retinal or a retinal tear. The retina is the membrane that lies against the back wall of the eye. This light sensitive tissue is responsible for sending images through electrical impulses to the brain.

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Time is critical when retinal detachment occurs. The detached retina must be immediately reattached through surgery or there will be loss of vision in the affected eye.

There is no pain with retinal detachment. But you will have warning signs of a detached retina. If you notice the sudden appearance of many spots or what looks like hairs or strings floating in your field of vision, you should seek evaluation by an eye professional.

Other symptoms of retinal detachment are: sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes or if you notice a shadow over part of your field of vision you need to seek immediate evaluation.

The causes of retinal detachment may be trauma, an inflammatory disorder or it can be caused by advanced diabetes. But a lot of times, retinal detachment will occur without any underlying factors present. This can happen because of a change in the jelly-like vitreous that is contained in the vitreous cavity of your eye.