Home » Retina Care » Detached or Torn Retina

What Is at Torn Retina?

A torn or detached retina is considered an ocular emergency. A torn retina occurs when the layer of tissue in the back of the eye pulls away from tissues that supports it. Retinal tears and detachments can occur suddenly. Symptoms include “floaters” in the eye, flashing lights, and a shadow on the side of the eye that may progress towards the center of vision. Almost all retinal detachments start from a small retinal tear. In either instance, the retina will not function if it separates from its blood supply, and you should be seen by your eye doctor immediately.

Causes of Retinal Tears or Detachments

There are many reasons why your retina (the tissue at the back of your eye) can sustain damage, causing a tear or a partial or complete detachment. Some common reasons we see include:

• Eye inflammation
• Fluid collection under the retina due to injury
• The contraction of vitreous gel inside the eye that pulls on the retina
• Retinal scar tissue
• Aging, genetics and extreme nearsightedness (myopia) are factors that can increase your risk of retinal detachment.

Symptoms of a Torn or Detached Retina

You may overlook the subtle symptoms of a retinal tear; that’s why regular eye exams are so vitally important to your eye health. However, in the case of a full retinal detachment, you may experience an onset of these symptoms:

• Floaters Cobweb-like specks or dark shadows/spots moving in your vision
• Flashes of light
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Wavy vision
• Loss of vision

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact our office right away: retinal detachment is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to protect your vision.

Treatment for Detached & Torn Retina

The right treatment will depend on the size, severity, and location of the detachment or tear. Dr. Robert Pendleton may recommend:

To learn more about retinal tear and detachment treatment in Carlsbad, California, contact us today.