What is the Retina?

The retina is the reason you can process these words on screen.

It consists of two layers of tissue lining the back of your eye, each composed of two types of cells: rods and cones. When exposed to light (so when you open your eyes), the rods and cones convert that light into electrical signals which the brain is able to interpret and convert into images. Think of it as the translator between the eyes and brain and you’re on the right track.

So What’s Happening When the Retina Detaches?

It might sound self-explanatory—a name like retinal detachment doesn’t hide much—but a detached retina is…well, when your retina detaches from the back of your eyeball. It’s not quite as simple as that, though: there are several common types of retinal detachment, each with different underlying causes.

The first is rhegmatogenous detachment, when a hole forms in the retina, causing fluid from inside the eye to make its way between the two retinal layers, separating the two and leading to detachment. It can occur at any age, although 60 to 70-year-olds are most at risk with this type of detachment.

Another type of retinal detachment is known as tractional. This is most common in people with diabetes, particularly those struggling to manage their symptoms. Essentially, the diabetes damages blood vessels around the eye, causing scar tissue to develop. This scar tissue then contracts, physically pulling the retina away from the eye.

Finally, there’s exudative retinal detachment, which involves a physical presence pushing the retina away from the eye. This can be caused by a range of underlying conditions, including cancer, infections and inflammatory disorders.

What Are the Symptoms?

Blurry spots in your vision, sudden flashes not seen by anyone else, a creeping darkness spreading across one eye: these are all classic symptoms of a detached retina. Floaters, which appear as little flecks in your vision, are another warning sign. If you notice any number of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What Are the Treatments?

As with all progressive medical conditions, it’s always best to catch retinal detachment early. Rhegmatogenous detachment, for instance, can be treated through laser surgery or freezing if caught early enough. These both work by creating scar tissue which seals the retina, preventing serious detachment before it can occur.

If detachment reaches a more advanced stage, there’s still a lot doctors can do, including using gas to push the damaged part of the retina against the wall it has become detached from. This method is called pneumatic retinopexy, and it’s what Rob undergoes in Blindsided.

For tractional detachment, a procedure called vitrectomy is more appropriate. This is done by replacing the fluid inside the eye (which causes the detachment) with gas or oil, pressing the retina back against the wall of the eye where it belongs.

Finally, exudative detachment can be treated by solving the underlying issue, whether it be a tumour, infection or anything else.

How Worried Should I Be?

Hearing about any life-changing medical condition can be an emotional experience, but there’s no reason to live in fear. Over a lifetime, retinal detachment will affect just 1 in 300 people; in any given year, that figure drops to 1 in 10,000. Considering that doctors have a range of treatment methods at their disposal, including laser surgery, cryotherapy and pneumatic retinopexy (which Rob undergoes in Blindsided), there really is no need to be worried about retinal detachment.