Retinal Detachment
- Huan J. Chang, MD, MPH, Writer;
- Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator;
- Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
- KEYWORDS:
- EYE DISEASES
- RETINAL DETACHMENT
The retina is a light-sensitive, transparent tissue located on the back wall of the eye. Light is focused on the retina by the cornea and the lens. The retina then converts the image into neural impulses and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye to the brain). Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the tissues underneath it. It is important to distinguish retinal detachment from posterior vitreous detachment (when the jelly in the eye peels away from the retina) or a tear (the vitreous jelly rips the retina during the process of posterior vitreous detachment). Every year, about 1 to 2 people per 10 000 develop retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. The November 25, 2009, issue of JAMA includes an article about eye floaters and flashes and distinguishing symptoms of retinal detachment.
RISK FACTORS
Extreme nearsightedness is an important …
