Retinal Tears Can Cause Vision Loss. Here Are Why They Happen and Symptoms You Don’t Want to Miss
Key takeaways:
A retinal tear is a break or hole in the retina, the part of the eye that sends light signals to the brain. People who are nearsighted, over the age of 60, or had cataract surgery are more likely to develop retinal tears.
Symptoms of a retinal tear include flashing lights, floaters, and a shadow or “curtain” falling across your vision. See an ophthalmologist right away if you develop these symptoms.
A retinal tear can develop into a retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness. Getting treatment for a retinal tear right away can save your vision.
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Your retina is made up of a group of specialized cells in the back of your eye. These cells detect light signals and send messages to the brain so that you can see. You need your retina to see. Anything that damages the retina will affect your vision, even if the rest of the eye is completely healthy.
A retinal tear is one of many eye conditions that can damage the retina. A retinal tear develops when a break or hole forms in the retina. This damages the cells that make up the retina so they can’t receive light signals or communicate with each other and the brain.
Without immediate treatment, a retinal tear can develop into a more serious condition called retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that causes permanent vision loss or blindness. If you catch a torn retina early, you can get help and save your vision.
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Here’s what can increase your chance of developing a retinal tear and how to spot one right away.
What causes retinal tears?
Retinal tears are caused by things that put force on the retina. The retina is very delicate, so it doesn’t take much force to create a rip or tear.
Some people are more likely to develop retinal tears. You may be at higher risk for a retinal tear due to the following reasons.
You have an eye injury
An eye injury can cause the clear gel that fills the eye (vitreous gel) to move. The vitreous gel touches the retina. When it shifts, it can pull on the cells of the retina and cause a tear.
You are nearsighted (myopia)
People who are nearsighted (myopic) have a shift in the shape of their eyeball. Their eyes are longer, moving from a sphere shape to a lemon shape. The retina gets stretched along with the rest of the eyeball. But at a certain point, the retina can stretch too far and tear.
You’ve had cataract surgery
People who’ve had cataract surgery are more likely to develop retinal detachment. Some complications during cataract surgery can lead to retinal tears. But it’s not always clear why people who’ve had cataract surgery are more likely to develop retinal tears.
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You’re over 60
As people get older, the vitreous gel slowly shrinks and separates from the retina. This is a normal process that doesn’t usually cause any problems. But some people naturally have a stickier vitreous gel. As it shrinks, it holds onto the retina instead of letting go. This stretches the retina and causes breaks or tears.
You have retinal thinning
About 10% of people develop thinning along the edges of their retina, usually due to a condition called lattice degeneration. Most people don’t experience any issues from this type of thinning. But it can increase the chance of a retinal tear. A thinned retina is more fragile and more likely to break or tear.
Just because you’re at risk for developing a retinal tear doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop one. And some people develop retinal tears for no apparent reason. A torn retina can happen to anyone. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of a retinal tear and act fast if you notice them.
What are the symptoms of a retinal tear?
Whether you're at risk for a retinal tear or not, knowing the signs of a retinal tear can save your vision. Not everyone with a retinal tear will experience the same symptoms. But most people will notice some kind of change to their vision. Here are the three most common symptoms of a torn retina.
1. Floaters
Floaters are grayish dots, squiggly lines, or cobwebs that appear to be floating across your vision, which is how they get their name. An occasional floater can be completely normal.
But sometimes floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear. See your eye doctor right away if you have more floaters than usual.
Most people will experience an occasional floater or two. But if you develop dozens — or sometimes hundreds — of floaters all at once, get help right away. If you only notice a few floaters but they’re not going away, that’s also a sign you need to get your eyes checked as soon as possible.
2. Light flashes
Flashes of light — sometimes described as a camera flash — are another sign of a retinal tear. Some people experience flashes in one or both eyes, or can’t really tell which eye the light is coming from.
Flashes may be large and take up a lot of your vision. They may also be very small. They may happen in the center of your vision or along the edges.
These flashes usually happen in bursts. You may notice flashes that are only a few seconds apart or as long as a few hours apart. Some flashes may stick around for several seconds or minutes. Others may disappear right away.
If you’re experiencing any kind of flashes, talk to an eye doctor right away.
3. Shadowed vision
Another symptom of retinal tear or detachment is a shadow in your peripheral (side) vision. It may seem like your peripheral vision is dimmed and you’re experiencing tunnel vision.
Some people also notice shadowed vision across their central vision too. This dims your overall vision and can look like you’re seeing the world through a thin piece of fabric. People describe it as looking through a curtain or veil.
If you notice dimmed or veiled vision, see an eye doctor right away.
How long does it take to go blind from a retinal detachment?
Permanent vision loss can develop in hours to days or weeks. It’s impossible to tell how quickly a retinal tear will progress to retinal detachment. That’s why you never want to wait to get help if you have symptoms of a retinal detachment.
If you notice any symptoms of a retinal tear during the weekend or after typical office hours, call your local ophthalmologist’s office anyway. Ophthalmologists have after-hours and weekend on-call phone service for exactly this reason. If you can’t reach someone, go to the emergency department. The healthcare providers at the emergency room will be able to get an ophthalmologist to come and see you.
How do you treat a retinal tear?
A retinal tear can be repaired with surgery. An ophthalmologist who has specialized training in retinal surgery can sew the tear up and keep it from getting worse. This prevents a retinal detachment. A small retinal tear is easier to fully repair than a large one. So you want to get treatment right away to protect your vision.
The bottom line
Retinal tears are breaks or rips in the retina that can progress to retinal detachment. Without treatment, retinal detachment will cause permanent vision loss. Anyone can develop a retinal tear. But people who are over 60 years old, are nearsighted, or have retinal thinning are at higher risk of developing a torn retina. Symptoms of a retinal tear include floaters, flashing lights, and dimmed vision. See an ophthalmologist right away if you have symptoms of a retinal tear. Early treatment and repair can save your vision.
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References
Boyd, K. (2023). What is a torn retina? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Carr, B. J., et al. (2017). The science behind myopia. Webvision: The Organization of the Retina and Visual System.
Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists. (n.d.). Retinal tears.
National Eye Institute. (2023). Retinal detachment.
Sternberg, P. Jr., et al. (2023). How worried should I be about my prognosis of thinning retina? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
