Retinal Detachment Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition and needs immediate medical attention. The retina is a thin layer of nerve cells located at the back of the eye.
Light passes through the eye and focuses onto the retina.
The retina then transmits the picture to the brain. When the retina detaches it can lead to serious vision loss and if not treated, blindness. Retinal detachment occurs mostly in middle-aged or older adults, although it may occur at any age. Nearsighted individuals are more likely to develop retinal detachment, as are those whose relatives have had retinal detachments, and those who are active in sports where a solid blow to the eye may occur. This condition may also be a hereditary disease, occurring in infants and children, but cases of this are rare.