Optometry Vision Therapy Center
Eye Associates
 

Retinal Tears & Detachment

A retinal tear or detachment is a serious, sight-threatening event that requires immediate medical attention. Understanding the warning signs is crucial for protecting your vision. Our team is equipped to provide urgent diagnosis and coordinate the emergency care necessary to address these conditions.

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Understanding Flashes and Floaters

The inside of your eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous. As we age, this gel can shrink and pull away from the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. This process is normal, but it can sometimes cause symptoms.

  • Floaters: You might see small specks, strings, or cobwebs drifting in your field of view. These are tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous.
  • Flashes: If the vitreous gel tugs or pulls on the retina, you may see flashes of light, similar to a camera flash or lightning streak.

While occasional floaters are common, a sudden increase in floaters, or the new onset of flashes, is a warning sign that requires an immediate eye exam.

What is a Retinal Tear?

Sometimes, as the vitreous gel pulls away, it can tug hard enough to tear the delicate retinal tissue. A retinal tear is a serious problem because it can allow fluid to seep behind the retina.

What is a Retinal Detachment?

A retinal detachment occurs when fluid passes through a retinal tear and lifts the retina off the back wall of the eye, much like wallpaper peeling off a wall. When the retina is detached, it is separated from its blood supply and can no longer send proper visual signals to the brain, causing vision loss. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent blindness if not treated promptly.

Emergency Symptoms: Act Immediately

If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact our office or the nearest emergency room immediately:

  • A sudden shower of new floaters appearing all at once.
  • The new onset of flashes of light in your vision.
  • The appearance of a dark shadow or "curtain" moving across your peripheral (side) vision.
  • A sudden, significant decrease in your central vision.
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Our Role in Your Urgent Care

If you are experiencing symptoms of a tear or detachment, our first priority is to perform an urgent, dilated eye examination. This allows us to get a clear view of your entire retina to identify if a tear or detachment has occurred.

If a tear or detachment is diagnosed, we will facilitate an immediate referral to a retinal specialist for treatment, which may include laser therapy or surgery. Acting as your primary eyecare provider, we are your first and most critical point of contact in this emergency.

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