A 36-year-old member asked:
What causes retinal tears and detachments?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Scartozzianswered
Ophthalmology - Retinal Surgery 21 years experience
Age: The vitreous jelly changes as we age and it pulls away from the back of the eye (retina) - a posterior vitreous detachment. During this process, if the jelly pulls hard enough on the retina (especially in a thin or weak area) it can tear the retina which can subsequently detach. Other risk factors include myopia, cataract surgery, head/eye trauma, family history, lattice degeneration, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
What are the possible causes of retinal tears?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Monte A Del Monteanswered
Pediatric Ophthalmology 49 years experience
Retinal traction: Most retinal rears are caused by traction on the retina by the vitreous gel, sometimes in association with weaknesses in the retina related to high eye nearsightedness, retinal injuries, old retinal scarring, etc. As the eye ages, the vitreous gel naturally liquifies and detatches from the retina, a posterior retinal detachment. Residual areas of traction can cause retinal tears/detachment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
How do you diagnose retinal tears and vitreous detachment ?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ilan Cohenanswered
Ophthalmology 27 years experience
Dilated exam: A dilated eye examination can reveal these problems. Eye drops are used to stop the pupil from constricting when light is shone into them. This helps the doctor get a good view of the entire retina to check for these sorts of problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
What are common signs and causes of retinal detachments?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Bruce Sarananswered
Ophthalmology 35 years experience
Flashes floater veil: Vitreous separation & traction on the retina causes retinal tears-causing vitreous floaters & hazy vision. Laser helps to prevent the tear from progressing to a retinal detachment as fluid flows though untreated tears and the retina falls off the back of your eye-like wallpaper coming off a wall. This causes a veil in your side vision then central vision loss. It is painless.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 31, 2015
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