Your retina is the tissue lining the back of your eye which converts light rays, images, into impulses that travel through the optic nerve to our brain, telling us what we see. When we get older, the middle of our eye, a clear gel called vitreous, may naturally shrink and therefore pull on the retina. If the pull occurs hard enough the retina will pull away from the back wall of the eye causing an appearance of a curtain-like shadow obstructing your vision.

If a retinal detachment is not treated promptly permanent vision loss is possible. Many times symptoms such as an increase of floaters and flashes of light will occur. In most cases you may experience these symptoms when small areas of the retina are torn, a sign that can lead to retinal detachment. If you experience any of these symptoms please call us so we can get you seen. The doctor will examine both of your eyes to view the retina and spot any potential holes, tears, or areas where the retina has lifted away from the wall.

If a diagnosis of retinal detachment has been detected, your doctor will refer you to an ophthalmologist for surgery. Many times the surgery is completed within a few days of the diagnosis in hopes to maintain your vision. Some people require additional surgeries and never recover all of their lost vision.

Our doctors are available for your post-operative appointments and vision acuity checks in the coming months.