Urgent symptom assessment
The onset and pattern help identify possible retinal tear or detachment.
Urgent retina care
Retinal Detachment
Urgent specialist treatment for separation of the retina.
Specialist care · Advanced technology
Retinal detachment
Understanding the condition
Clear information for confident decisions.
Retinal detachment is sight-threatening and requires urgent assessment.
01ConditionRetina separates from supporting tissue
02PrioritySame-day urgent assessment
03Common warningFlashes, floaters or a curtain
04TreatmentLaser or retinal surgery depending on extent
Symptoms
What you may notice.
Symptoms vary between people, and some conditions cause no early warning. A specialist examination is needed for an accurate diagnosis.
01
A dark curtain or shadow moving across vision
02
Sudden increase in floaters
03
Flashes of light, often at the side of vision
04
Missing peripheral vision
05
Sudden painless reduction in vision
Causes and risk factors
What may increase your risk.
Having a risk factor does not confirm the condition. Your history and examination are considered together.
01High short-sightedness
02Previous cataract or retinal surgery
03Eye injury
04Retinal detachment in the other eye or family history
05Age-related vitreous separation
Assessment01 02 03 04
How it is diagnosed.
Dilated retinal examination
The peripheral retina is examined to find breaks and map the detached area.
Wide-field retinal imaging
Photography can help document the detachment and associated tears.
Ocular ultrasound
Ultrasound is used if cataract, blood or another opacity blocks the retinal view.
Aftercare
Recovery and follow-up.
01
Follow positioning instructions exactly if gas or oil is used.
02
Do not fly or travel to high altitude while an intraocular gas bubble remains.
03
Use drops, protect the eye and attend every scheduled postoperative review.
04
Report increasing pain, redness, nausea or worsening vision immediately.
Common questions
Answers with clarity.
These answers are general. Your own care plan may differ after examination.
01Is retinal detachment an emergency?+
Yes. New symptoms require urgent assessment because timing can affect the chance of preserving vision.
02Which operation will I need?+
The approach depends on the tear location, extent, lens status and individual eye.
03Will vision return to normal?+
Outcome depends on duration, macular involvement and retinal health; anatomical repair does not guarantee normal vision.
04Can detachment happen again?+
Yes. Further treatment can occasionally be required, and the fellow eye may also need monitoring.