Retinal Detachment: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Retinal Detachment?
An ophthalmologist, an eye doctor, examines and treats a detached retina. Most people need surgery to fix it. Because it is an emergency, you should go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is an eye problem. The retina, a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye, is pulled away from its normal position. It can cause permanent vision loss, but treatment right away can help protect your vision. It can happen at any age, but it is more common in people over age 40.
The most common type is often due to a tear or hole in the retina. Eye fluid may leak through the opening. This lets the retina separate from the tissue under it, much like a bubble under wallpaper. Another type is called tractional detachment. It happens in people who have uncontrolled diabetes, had retinal surgery before, or have long-term inflammation, which is swelling and irritation.
Symptoms
Symptoms often come on quickly. Common signs include:
- Bright flashes of light, especially in the corner of your vision.
- New floaters, which are small dark spots or squiggly lines that float across your vision, and which appear suddenly.
- A shadow or curtain over part of your vision.
- Blurred vision.
There is usually no pain in or around the eye. If only a small part of the retina has detached, you may not have any symptoms.
Causes and who gets it
The most common causes are aging and eye injury. As people age, the gel in the center of the eye can pull away from the retina. This is called posterior vitreous detachment. Severe nearsightedness can also lead to it.
You are at higher risk if you or a family member has had a retinal detachment before. Eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, also raises the risk. So do diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes problem that affects blood vessels in the retina, and lattice degeneration, a thinning of the retina.
How doctors diagnose it
Your eye doctor can check for it with a dilated eye exam. You get eye drops that widen the pupil. Then the doctor looks at the retina at the back of your eye. This exam is usually painless. If the doctor needs more information, you may get an ultrasound or an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. These tests are painless and show the exact position of the retina.
Treatment
Most people with a retinal detachment need surgery.
For a small hole or tear, a doctor can use a freezing probe or a medical laser to seal it. You can usually get these treatments in the eye doctor's office. For a small detachment, the doctor may place a gas bubble in the eye. This is called pneumatic retinopexy, and it helps the retina float back into place.
Severe detachments need surgery in a hospital. A scleral buckle gently pushes the eye wall up against the retina. A vitrectomy removes gel or scar tissue that is pulling on the retina. It is used for the largest tears and detachments.
Treatment works well, especially when the detachment is caught early. It is ultimately successful for about 9 out of 10 people. Successful repair does not always fully restore vision.
You can lower your risk of injury-related detachment by wearing safety goggles or other protective eye gear, especially when playing sports. Because aging is a common cause, there is often no way to prevent it. If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar carefully.
When to see a doctor
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms, go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. Early treatment can help prevent permanent vision loss.
Seeing a few floaters is normal. But if you suddenly see a lot more floaters than usual, get your eyes checked right away. If something hits your eye or you have an eye injury, see an eye doctor to check for early signs of retinal detachment.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can help you manage diabetes, which is a risk factor, and can refer you quickly to an eye doctor if your vision changes.
Common questions
What are the first signs of a retinal detachment?
The first signs are usually new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark shadow or curtain over part of your vision. These can come on quickly. Go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away if you notice them.
Does a detached retina hurt?
No, there is usually no pain in or around the eye. That is why the changes in your vision are the warning signs to watch for.
Can a retinal detachment be fixed?
Yes, treatment works well, especially when the detachment is caught early. It is ultimately successful for about 9 out of 10 people. However, successful repair does not always fully restore vision.
Can you prevent retinal detachment?
Not always, because aging is a common cause. You can lower your risk of injury-related detachment by wearing protective eye gear during risky activities such as sports.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Retinal detachment
- National Eye Institute - Retinal Detachment
- MedlinePlus - Retinal Detachment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
