Retinal Detachment

The retina is a clear tissue that lines the inside back of the eye. The photoreceptors that make up the retinal tissue are responsible for capturing light and transmitting the electrical information down the optic nerve, which is connected to the visual processing centre in the brain.

If you have a compromised retina, you will not have pain but instead disturbances in your visual field. It may happen with trauma but can very well occur with no cause. It has several symptoms such as flashing lights, sudden onset of floaters, visual disturbances, reduced vision or vision loss and/or shadows in your peripheral vision. These symptoms don’t always indicate retinal detachment, however, if any suspicious changes occur in your visual field, call your optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately.

Being proactive could save your sight, as this is considered a true ocular emergency that can lead to blindness if left untreated.