Query about family history of eye disease because, although RDs usually are sporadic events, certain pedigrees may be prone to detachment. Indirect ophthalmoscopy is the definitive means of diagnosing RD with the use of scleral depression. Direct ophthalmoscopy may detect vitreous hemorrhage and large detachment of the posterior pole, but it is inadequate for complete examination because of the lower magnification and illumination, lack of stereopsis, and limited view of the peripheral retina. Obvious detachment is observed as marked elevation of the retina, which appears gray with dark blood vessels that may lie in folds. The detached retina may undulate.
Shallow detachments are much more difficult to detect.
An orange-peel appearance of the retinal surface can occur. A pigmented or nonpigmented line may demarcate the limit of a detachment. Scleral depression is necessary to identify the location of a retinal tear or hole. No laboratory tests to indicate a diagnosis of retinal detachment exist. Subsequent testing may be necessary to detect underlying causes.