Can Trauma Cause a Detached Retina?

If you have a detached retina in Brookhaven, GA, it’s essential to get immediate help from your optometrist. A detached retina is a serious condition where the retina becomes partially or completely detached from the wall of the eye. If not treated quickly, it can result in vision loss.

What Happens With a Retinal Detachment?

Your retina is made up of a tissue-like substance that’s very thin and delicate. It’s attached to the back of the eye, where it captures light entering the eye and sends signals to the brain, enabling you to see.

In a retinal detachment, this layer of tissue detaches from the back of the eye. Only with surgical intervention can it be treated.

Can Trauma Cause a Detached Retina?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, trauma is one of the most common reasons for detached retinas. There are many kinds of traumas that can cause this, including sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, physical altercations and more. Even falling down and hitting your head can cause a retinal detachment if the force is strong enough.

Symptoms of Retinal Detachment

It’s imperative to get treated for retinal detachment as soon as possible after the incident. While you can’t diagnose retinal detachment without the help of an optometrist in Brookhaven, GA, you can be on the lookout for symptoms after a traumatic event. These include:

  • Marked increase in floaters
  • Blind spot in field of vision
  • Flashes of light in field of vision
  • Dark curtain blocking part of your field of vision

Note that a retinal detachment doesn’t always happen immediately after a traumatic event. It may occur up to 24 hours afterward, or even longer.

If you suspect a retinal detachment, or have other problems with your vision, please contact us right away to book an appointment.