Retinal tears can occur at any age and for a variety of reasons. Retinal tears or detachments can occur as a result of aging, ocular damage, eye surgery, or being significantly nearsighted. A retinal tear can develop to a retinal detachment if not treated appropriately. The retina is the light-sensitive membrane that covers the back of the eye. The retina is made up of multiple layers: the photoreceptor layer, the outer nuclear layer, the inner nuclear layer, the ganglion cell layer, and the vitreous body. Light rays from outside the eye enter through the cornea and lens and reach the retina. Here they trigger chemical reactions in the rod and cone cells that produce your vision. Retinal tears are small breaks in the retina that allow fluid to leak out of the eye. Retinal tears can be full-thickness or partial-thickness. With a full-thickness tear, the retina has been completely separated from the choroid and vitreous body behind it. This type of tear allows for complete loss of vision because there is no barrier preventing light from reaching the back of the eye. A partial-thickness tear leaves part of the retina still attached to the choroid and/or vitreous body. These types of tears allow some light to pass through to the back of the eye but cause less severe visual impairment than complete separation.