What are the symptoms of Retinal Detachment?

What is Retinal Detachment?

A critical situation in which a layer of tissue placed at the backside of the eye detaches from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nourishment.
This leads to the cells in the retina without oxygen and if left untreated can also lead to permanent loss of vision.

Thankfully, there are symptoms of retinal detachment which are clearly evident. The timely diagnosis of the problem can save a patient from losing vision due to retinal detachment.

It is always best to contact an ophthalmologist the very moment you see the symptoms. But, for that you first need to recognize the signs.

What are Signs?

Although retinal detachment may be not cause any pain but, the signs and symptoms occur quite early which lets you take proper action in time. The symptoms of retinal detachment are:

Appearance of Debris

You may suddenly start noticing small pieces of debris floating inside your eyes disrupting your vision. These pieces may appear to be like spots, hair, or small strings.

Flash of Light

Before retinal detachment takes place, as a part of the symptoms you may notice sudden flashes of light appearing before the affected eye.

Shadow Formation

A certain portion of your eye becomes shadowed blocking your visual field. This develops as the detachment progresses in its stages.

What Causes Retinal Detachment?

There are multiple reasons due to which the detachment may take place.

• Shrinking of vitreous: The fluid in gel-form found inside the eyes called vitreous shrinks or contracts which leads to tugging on the retina and a tear causing it to detach.
• An Injury in the eye.
• Advanced stages of diabetes.
• An inflammatory eye disorder.

Who is at Risk?

The following people can be at a higher risk of retinal detachment:

• People who are above the age of 40 years are more vulnerable to the disorder.
• Earlier, retinal detachment has occurred in one eye.
• Extreme case of nearsightedness (myopia).
• Heredity.
• Eye surgeries for other eye related disorders like cataract.
• Any other disorder or disease.

Seeking a medical help when any of these symptoms occur is always advisable and the symptoms should never be neglected.

Image courtesy: Getty Images

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