retinal detachment Retinal Detachment The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the back of the eye and sends visual messages to the brain.  If the retina detaches from its normal position, permanent vision loss can result.  This is called retinal detachment While anyone can experience retinal detachment, head or eye injuries and certain eye conditions increase the risk. These include myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, and posterior vitreous detachment, which occurs when the vitreous (the jelly-like fluid in the eye) breaks away from the back of the eye. The most common symptom of a posterior vitreous detachment is a condition called floaters, specks or strands that appear to float in the field of vision.  Sometimes when the vitreous breaks away it can tear the retina, which can lead to retinal detachment. Symptoms of retinal detachment include seeing floaters, flashes of light, or the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision.  It's important to see an eye doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Early treatment is critical for restoring vision if retinal detachment has occured. Small holes and tears in the retina may be treated in a doctor's office with laser eye surgery, which uses tiny burns to seal the retina back into place. Another treatment, cryopexy, freezes the area around the hole in the retina.  Retinal detachments may require surgical treatment to reattach the retina.  It is not unusual for a retinal detachment to require a hospital stay.