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Detached Retina Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Retinal detachment is painless. However, if it is not treated quickly, a detached retina can cause permanent, partial, or total vision loss. If you have any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor immediately:

  • Sudden appearance or increase in the number of “floaters,” which are shapes that float in the eye and are seen in the field of vision
  • Brief flashes of light in the eye
  • Loss of the eye’s central or peripheral field of vision
  • A curtain appears to fall over part of the visual field
  • Sudden changes or blurring of vision

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a thorough eye exam. Tests may include:

  • Eye exam—The pupil is dilated with eye drops, and the inside of the eye is examined with a lighted instrument called an ophthalmoscope.
  • Ultrasound—The doctor uses sound waves to examine the eye.

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