

Suddenly and usually without warning, a patch of retina loses some of its picture-taking function and you may become aware that part of your field of vision has darkened. When a retinal vein becomes blocked, part of the retinal blood flow slows or stops. The retina constantly produces pictures of everything you see. You notice a sudden increase in the number and size of floaters.Ī branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is a blockage of one of the small blood vessels that drains blood from the retina.The frequency of flashes suddenly increases.Your periphery (side) vision darkens, as though a shadow or curtain has appeared.Your quality of vision suddenly diminishes.In and of itself, vitreous detachment isn’t necessarily dangerous, but should be monitored to ensure a retinal tear does not happen in the future.įlashers and floaters may be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment if: This condition (often referred to as vitreous detachment) is most common in people who are nearsighted, have suffered an eye injury or have had cataract surgery. The vitreous gel in your eyes tends to shrink and liquefy as you grow older, pulling away from the back wall of the eye. Flashes can appear in a single location or in multiple areas across your field of vision.įlashes and floaters are often a common result of natural aging. As the vitreous fibers pull on the retinal nerve centers, your eye experiences the sensation of a flash or streak of light. These clusters of material can cast shadows on the retina.įlashes can occur when the vitreous gel in your eye pulls away from the retina. Severe cases of detachment may require more complex surgical alternatives.įloaters are tiny clumps of cells or tissue that form within the eye’s vitreous -the clear gel that fills the interior cavity of your eye. Kirk can address the issue with a laser treatment. If the area of detachment is relatively small, Dr.

Successful treatment of retinal detachment depends on the severity of the detachment, the location of the retina and any underlying causes. Are experiencing age-related macular degeneration.Have a family history of retinal detachment.Have experienced an eye or face injury.You could be at risk for suffering a detached retina if you: This condition may occur suddenly without warning, but can often exhibit symptoms of floaters, flashers and darkened peripheral vision. Left untreated, a detached retina can result in permanent loss of vision.Ī retinal tear is frequently an early issue that leads to retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition, which occurs when the retina separates from its surrounding tissue.
