The ophthalmologist will search carefully for retinal tears. A retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from the back wall of the eye. When there is a tear of the retina, liquid from the vitreous may pass through the tear, and detach the retina. As the fluid accumulates, the retinal detachment becomes larger. Detached areas of the retina lose their vision.
Most people notice floaters and flashes before the retina detaches.
As the detachment occurs, a gradually enlarging dark area may be seen. Some people have compared this to a curtain coming down, or a shade being drawn in front of the eye. The dark area may begin in any part of the field of vision. If the dark area reaches the center of the field of vision, the eye will not be able to see fine detail. Although anyone may get a retinal detachment, they are far more common in some groups.