What is fractional retinal detachment secondary to diabetic retinopathy?

Detached Retina: It is actually a tractional retinal detachment. When diabetes causes the retinal blood vessels to die, the retina grows new blood vessels that are disorganized and of poor quality. They grow into the gel that fills the eye called the vitreous. This causes the vitreous to contract and pulls the retina off the back to the eye. That is a tractional retinal detachment. It often needs surgery.

Tractional: Scar tissue and abnormal blood vessels can pull on the retinal, causing a detachment.

Tractional: New abnormal blood vessels and membranes can grow over the surface of the retina in diabetics. These can contract, causing the retina to detach. This requires vitrectomy surgery if severe enough.