From the Guidelines
If you experience sudden flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a curtain-like shadow in your vision, seek immediate medical attention as these may be symptoms of a retinal tear. Common symptoms of a retinal tear include:
- Sudden flashes of light in one or both eyes
- A sudden increase in the number of floaters
- A shadow or curtain-like effect across part of your visual field
- Blurred vision
- Gradual reduction in peripheral vision These symptoms occur because as the retina tears, it can stimulate the light-sensitive cells, causing flashes. The vitreous gel that fills the eye may also leak through the tear, creating new floaters or a shadow effect, as noted in studies 1. It's crucial to seek prompt medical attention if you experience these symptoms, as early detection and treatment can prevent the tear from progressing to a retinal detachment, which is a more serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss, as highlighted in 1. An eye doctor will typically perform a dilated eye exam to diagnose a retinal tear. Treatment often involves laser therapy or cryotherapy to seal the tear and prevent detachment, with a high success rate when performed early, as reported in 1. Remember, not all floaters or flashes indicate a retinal tear, but it's always best to have them evaluated by an eye care professional to rule out serious conditions. Patients with risk factors, such as those with a history of eye trauma, intraocular injection, or intraocular surgery, should be particularly vigilant and seek medical attention promptly if they experience any new symptoms, as advised in 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Retinal Tear
The symptoms of a retinal tear can be identified through various studies, including:
- Flashes and floaters, which are the hallmark symptoms of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) that can lead to retinal tears and detachment 2
- Presence of isolated flashes, which is associated with the development of retinal tears in 5.3% of symptomatic eyes 2
- Floaters alone, which have a stronger association with retinal tears (16.5% of eyes) compared to flashes 2
- Combination of flashes and floaters, which has an even greater association with retinal tears (20.0% of eyes) 2
- Retinal and/or vitreous haemorrhage, which is also associated with the presence and later development of retinal tears 2, 3, 4
- Subjective visual reduction, which is the most important symptom associated with retinal tear 3
- Presence of multiple floaters (more than 10), which increases the risk of retinal tears 2, 3
Risk Factors for Retinal Tears
Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing retinal tears, including: