Retinal detachment is a very serious condition, and the symptoms that come along with it should not be ignored or taken lightly. This is simply a reminder that they can lead to blindness or the permanent alteration of your sight. Therefore, you should always remain vigilant should you believe that you are suffering from it.
Today, we will go over some of the signs of retinal detachment, who is at risk of getting this disorder, and the signs that you should go see your doctor right away.
What is the Retina?
To understand why retinal detachment is very serious, you will need to understand what part of the eye the retina actually is. In plain words, the retina is made up of a small layer of nerves that are located behind the eye. The nerves help you feel, and they also have an important job to do. They are able to tell when your eye sees light; they then send the information to your optic nerve, which your brain can process what you are looking at.
This process is complex, and scientists are still studying it. They have yet to understand how it works completely. It is a vital part of the vision. Therefore, if your retina becomes detached, it can permanently alter vision or cause complete loss of vision completely.
What is Retinal Detachment?
So now that you understand what the retina is, what does it mean when it detaches, and how does that happen?
The retina is secured to the back of the eye by a clear gel known as the vitreous. This gel is what is inside of our eyeballs, and it helps them keep their round shape. As humans get older, the vitreous in the eyeball can start to shrink or become smaller. This makes the eyeball change shape, and it can also tug on the retina itself. Some changes in the vitreous and retinal tugging are normal. Many people experience this when they see a little flash of light.
However, a retinal detachment occurs when the vitreous tugs so hard on the retina that the retina moves away from the eyeball. If too much fluid gets in between the eyeball and the retina, this can cause retinal detachment. Once it is detached, the retina cannot send light signals to the brain, which can cause vision loss or change your vision.
What Causes a Detached Retina?
A lot of different things can cause a detached retina, but the doctor can let you know whether or not you are more at risk for the condition. The most common risk factor is age. Many people who experience detachment are over 40. However, a retinal detachment can occur at any age, so you shouldn’t let that stop you from seeing your doctor if you are seeing symptoms.
If you sustain blunt force trauma to the eye, this can cause retinal detachment. This can happen from blood cells getting in between the retina and vitreous.
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