Contact an eye doctor or the out-of-hours service the same day. Prompt treatment is crucial for your sight.
What is retinal detachment?
The retina is the thin layer containing the eye’s light-sensitive cells. The most common cause of retinal detachment is that the vitreous gel shrinks and tears a hole in the retina. Fluid seeps in through the hole and lifts the retina from the underlying layer. Untreated, the detachment spreads and can lead to blindness in that eye.
Warning signs
- Flashes of light, with your eyes both open and closed
- Suddenly many new black dots or threads
- A shadow or curtain spreading from the side, from above or from below
- Blurred or distorted vision
Contact us during opening hours or the out-of-hours medical service (lægevagten) outside opening hours. Do not wait until the next day.
Who is at risk?
- People over 50
- Short-sighted people, especially with severe short-sightedness
- Previous retinal detachment in the other eye
- After cataract surgery or a blow to the eye
- Retinal detachment in the family
Treatment
A hole in the retina that has not yet led to detachment can often be sealed with laser, preventing a retinal detachment. An actual retinal detachment is operated on at a hospital eye department. The sooner the operation takes place, the better the chance of preserving your sight.
If you have had a retinal detachment, the risk of getting it again, also in the other eye, is increased. So know the warning signs.
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.