Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

What Are Retinal Tears and Detachments?

The retina is the inside lining of the eye. It turns light into nerve signals. These signals are then sent to the brain where they become the images you see. The retina may be torn or detached due to aging, an eye injury, or other problems. Tears and detachments are painless. But they often cause troubling or serious vision changes. If you have symptoms of a tear or detachment, contact your eye care provider right away. If you can't reach your eye care provider, go to the emergency room. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency.

Three-quarter view cross section of eye showing detatched retina.
Fluid can build up and push the retina off the eye wall.

Symptoms of a detachment

If you have a detachment, you may notice:

  • A shadow or “curtain” on the sides or in the middle of your field of vision

  • A sudden increase in floaters, flashes, and blurry vision

Symptoms of a tear

If you have a tear, you may notice:

  • Sudden floaters that look like spots or threads in your vision

  • Sudden flashes that look like bursts of light in your vision

  • Sudden blurry vision

Online Medical Reviewer: Chris Haupert MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Tara Novick BSN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Whitney Seltman MD
Date Last Reviewed: 12/1/2022
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.