Holes or tears are usally sealed if detected early, which is likely if there is a family history of retinal detachment or a detachment in the opposite eye. Also treated are large holes, multiple holes, or those in the extreme periphery of the retina. The detection of a retinal tear may be made at the time of routine assesment. The patient may, on the other hand, have no symptoms. A common sysmptom is the shower of spots, which may be caused by small broken blood vessels that liberate free red blood cells which, in turn, cast shadows on the retina.
Vitreous traction is the major cause of retinal teas, it almost always occurs spontaneously.
Trauma to the eye causes vitreous traction, but it is not the most common cause of it. The symptoms may be absent for any detachment. Some patients have light flashes , some lose vision if the macula is involved, ond others complain of a veil or curtain before the eyes. A retinal detachment requires immediate repair. The object of therapy is to identify the holes or tears and close them with a freezing technique referred to as cryotherapy.