Retinal detachment risk factors: who is at higher risk and the warning signs

What retinal detachment is

Retinal detachment is an eye problem that happens when your retina, a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye, is pulled away from its normal position (NEI). The retina provides the sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving and seeing fine detail (MedlinePlus). If it is not treated right away, more of the retina can detach, which increases the risk of permanent vision loss or blindness (NEI).

There is no score or calculator on this page; the factors below are the ones NEI and MedlinePlus name.

Who is at higher risk

Anyone can have a retinal detachment, but some people are at higher risk. NEI says you are at higher risk if (NEI):

• You or a family member has had a retinal detachment before.
• You have had a serious eye injury.
• You have had eye surgery, like surgery to treat cataracts.

Some other eye problems may also put you at higher risk (NEI):

• Diabetic retinopathy, a condition in people with diabetes that affects blood vessels in the retina.
• Extreme nearsightedness (myopia), especially a severe type called degenerative myopia.
• Posterior vitreous detachment, when the gel-like fluid in the center of the eye pulls away from the retina.
• Certain other eye diseases, including retinoschisis (when the retina separates into 2 layers) or lattice degeneration (thinning of the retina).

MedlinePlus adds that retinal detachment can occur at any age but is more common in people over age 40, and that it affects men more than women and whites more than African Americans. It also lists extreme nearsightedness, a detachment in the other eye, family history, cataract surgery, other eye diseases or disorders, and an eye injury (MedlinePlus).

If you are concerned about your risk, talk with your eye doctor (NEI). See cataract risk factors.

Warning signs

If only a small part of the retina has detached, you may not have any symptoms. If more is detached, you may not see as clearly as normal and may notice sudden symptoms (NEI):

• A lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that float across your vision)
• Flashes of light in one eye or both eyes
• A dark shadow or "curtain" on the sides or in the middle of your field of vision

Seeing a few floaters is normal, but if you suddenly see a lot more than usual, get your eyes checked right away. After an eye injury, see an eye doctor to check for early signs of retinal detachment (NEI).

Types and causes

The most common causes are aging or an eye injury (NEI). There are 3 types (NEI):

• Rhegmatogenous, the most common type, happens when a small tear or break lets the gel-like vitreous get behind the retina. Aging is the most common cause; eye injuries, eye surgery and nearsightedness can also increase the risk (NEI).
• Tractional happens when scar tissue on the retina pulls it away. The most common cause is diabetic retinopathy; other causes include eye diseases, eye infections and swelling in the eye (NEI).
• Exudative happens when fluid builds up behind the retina without a tear. Causes of the leaking blood vessels or swelling include eye injury, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), tumors in the eye, diseases that cause inflammation inside the eye, and Coats disease (NEI). See macular degeneration risk factors.

If you have diabetes, NEI advises a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year (NEI).

Prevention, exams and treatment

Because retinal detachment is often caused by aging, there is often no way to prevent it. You can lower your risk from an eye injury by wearing safety goggles or other protective eye gear during risky activities, like playing sports. Regular comprehensive dilated eye exams can help find a small tear or detachment early (NEI). Related guide: glaucoma risk factors.

An eye doctor checks for retinal detachment with a dilated eye exam, and may add an ultrasound or an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. Treatment can include laser surgery or a freezing treatment (cryopexy) to seal small tears, or surgery to move the retina back into place. Treatment works well, especially when the detachment is caught early, and is ultimately successful for about 9 out of 10 people (NEI).

Common questions

Can cataract surgery cause retinal detachment?

NEI and MedlinePlus both list past cataract surgery as something that raises the risk (NEI) (MedlinePlus).

Are floaters a sign of retinal detachment?

A few floaters are normal. A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light or a shadow over your vision can be signs, and you should get to an eye doctor or emergency room right away (NEI).

Can retinal detachment be prevented?

Often not, because it is often caused by aging. Protective eye gear lowers the risk from injuries, and regular dilated eye exams can catch a tear early (NEI).