For the experts - might the look of smoke in front of your eye be a sign of retinal detachment?

Not typically: Typical symptoms are floaters, flashes and a change in the peripheral vision such that there is a curtain or veil present. The "look of smoke" could be a type of floater; so the wise thing to do would be have a dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist.

Progressive Loss: Signs of rd are those seen by examining eye doctor: subretinal fluid, retinal tear, pigment cells in vitreous, and pvd. The symptoms that a patient experiences are progressive loss or greying of vision which may involve the central vision. This may be proceeded by flashes and floaters. Get examined by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Good luck.

Prob not: Smoke is more likely to be blood in the vitreous or vitreous floaters, although either can occur along with a retinal detachment. Go see your specialist eye md (ophthalmologist).