Retinal detachment

Definition:

A separation of the light-sensitive membrane in the back of the eye (retina) from its supporting layers.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The retina is a transparent membrane at the back of the eye that processes the images focused on it by the cornea and the lens. Retinal detachments are associated with a tear or hole in the retina through which the internal fluids of the eye may leak, causing separation of the retina from the underlying tissues. This may be caused by trauma, the aging process, a tumor, or an inflammatory disorder, but it frequently occurs spontaneously. In newborns born before full-term, retinal detachment can be caused by retinopathy of prematurity (abnormalities of the retina associated with being premature).

Bleeding from small blood vessels may cloud the vitreus fluid. Central vision becomes affected if the macula, the central part of the retina, becomes detached.

The risk factors are nearsightedness, a family history of retinal detachment, Caucasian background, and male sex. Approximately 20,000 people per year are affected with retinal detachments.