The journey to facedown surgery looks different to everyone. If you loss of vision, flashes in the eye, shadows, a very large floater, lots of little floaters (almost like fruit flies please contact your eye specialist immediately. If your optometrist is not available, we highly recommend that you visit the Emergency Department nearest to you.
If you live in Southern Ontario please review the RECOMMENDED LIST OF HOSPITALS. Note: If you live in Niagara Region, Haldimand Norfolk or Brant County, your best course of action is to head to Hamilton, Ontario rather than a small local hospital.
Sudden changes of Vision REQUIRE that you seek care IMMEDIATELY. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Immediate attention may help you avoid surgery. It's worth checking things out.
Retinal Detachment: 3 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Video Transcript
Retinal Detachment: 3 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Retinal detachment occurs when the thin, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye separates from the eye. Because it is often painless, it can be easy to ignore—but it is very serious. If left untreated, retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. The risk increases as we age.
Here are three warning signs of a detached retina you should never ignore.
First, flashes of light.
An early symptom of retinal detachment is seeing brief flashes of light, often described as lightning streaks, crossing your vision. These flashes may indicate that a retinal tear is forming. Retinal tears frequently occur before the retina fully detaches.
Each flash can last anywhere from a split second to several seconds and may appear randomly throughout the day.
Second, a sudden increase in floaters.
Floaters—small specks or cobweb-like shapes drifting in your field of vision— are common as we age. However, if you notice new floaters that appear suddenly or in greater numbers, it could be an early sign that your retina may be at risk of detachment or may already be detaching.
Third, a dark shadow or curtain over your vision.
A more advanced symptom of retinal detachment is the appearance of a dark shadow or curtain covering part of your vision. This shadow may appear from the side, top, or bottom of your visual field. Once it appears, it will not go away without medical treatment and often means the retina has already begun to detach.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. The good news is that if it is caught early, treatment can often be performed in a doctor’s office with minimal discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist right away.
For more information, visit AARP.org/eyecenter.
