The choroid is a vascular layer immediately posterior to the RPE which provides blood to the outer layers of the retina (the inner layers of retina supplied by branches of the central retinal artery). It recycles vitamin A for use by the retina in the visual cycle, and it keeps fluid from accumulating underneath the retina. It is responsible for nourishing the retina. The retinal pigment epithelium is between the retina and the choroid. Also, the vitreous breaks down and liquefies as we age.Įxternal and posterior to the retina are the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid. It comprises 80% of the volume of the eye and is responsible for providing mechanical support for our eyes during development.(3) However, there is little evidence of a functional purpose of the vitreous after our eyes have fully developed. Think of the vitreous as clear jelly inside the eye comprised of type II collagen and hyaluronic acid. Internal and anterior to the retina is the vitreous. This area of high photoreceptor density is important in retinal detachment as its condition dictates the prognosis of the disease. More specifically, the highest proportion of photoreceptors is in a central 1.5mm zone called the fovea. The macula has a high concentration of photoreceptors and is responsible for capturing central vision. The central portion of the retina is the macula. It is bordered anteriorly by the vitreous and posteriorly by the choroid. The retina is comprised of photoreceptors, neurons, and support cells. It is a thin layer that coats the internal border of the posterior eye.

For this reason, it is very important to see your ophthalmologist at the first sign of any trouble.Think of the retina as the film of the camera. The more severe the detachment, the less vision may return. Vision may take many months to improve and, in some cases, may never return fully. Surgery is very successful at reattaching the retina with one or more procedures. Treatment usually prevents retinal detachment.Īlmost all patients with retinal detachments require surgery to put the retina back in its proper position. These treatments cause little or no discomfort and may be performed in the office. Retinal tears need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), which seals the retina to the back wall of the eye. After dilating your pupils, we will examine the retina using ophthalmoscopy, which allows a doctor to see inside the back of the eye using a magnifying instrument with a light source. If you are experiencing signs of retinal detachment, we will perform a medical eye examination in our office. If you experience any of these symptoms, call us as soon as possible to schedule an examination. However, these symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment is present. SymptomsĪ few early symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal detachment, including flashing lights, new floaters, and a gray curtain moving across your field of vision. A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that may cause blindness unless it is treated. The retina does not work when it is detached. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. Sometimes, the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina. As people get older, the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye.

The vitreous is a clear gel that fills the middle of the eye. The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain.

Detached retina photo