Friend on facebook just diagnosed with detached retina. in my country we never heard that term. is that something new?

Detached retina: This is the term for the lifting off of the retina, the light sensory part of the back of the eye, from its attachment to blood supply and supporting membranes in the back of the eye. This may happen from trauma, previous eye surgery and also spontaneously. This is an urgent situation, sight threatening which requires an ophthalmologist to evaluate immediately.

Detached retina: Retinal detachment is the peeling of the film off the walll of the eye. It can occur if the retina is stretched thin and develops a tear; water gets under the tear and lifts the retina off the inner wall of the eye. Other causes include traction from the gel in the eye, trauma and diabetic eye disease (among others). It needs prompt treatment to prevent permanent blindness.