The Retina

• The retina is a layer of tissue that coats the back of the eye from the inside. Retinal detachment is when the retina is separated from the back of the eye. The detachment typically starts with a tear of the retina. The tear normally occurs with the fluid in the eye shifts and pulls away from the retina. In some cases, the pulling causes a suction effect that tugs on the retina causing it to tear at the corners. This can occur as a result of injury, but often it just happens on its own.
  
  

Detachment

• Once the retina is torn, it allows the fluid in the eye to work its way behind the corners of the retina. As more and more fluid travels behind this layer of tissue, it pushes on the attachments that hold it to the back of the eye. Eventually, it can completely push the retina away and detach it. Bleeding can occur as a result, with blood appearing in the whites of the eye.
  
  

Causes

• Trauma--such as being in a car accident or getting hit in the head with a baseball--can cause a retina to become detached. However, it often happens with no obvious external injuries. Diabetes can weaken eyes, giving a tear a greater chance of occurring. Therefore, diabetics are more susceptible to retina damage than non-diabetics. People who have had cataracts surgery and those with a family history of retinal detachment are also more likely to have the condition.
  
  

What to Do

• Detachment normally doesn't happen in both eyes simultaneously. However, if you have a detached retina, a doctor will check the other eye to make sure it is not showing any signs of damage. A detached retina can be fixed through eye surgery, or sometimes if it is just a tear, it can heal on its own over time. If you see blood pooling in the eye, seek medical attention. If you do have a tear, it is best not to strain the eye so that the eye can have the rest it needs to heal. According to the National Eye Institute, more than 90 percent of retinal detachments can be treated successfully.