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What Is Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment?

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a type of retinal detachment that starts with a tear or hole in the retina. Fluid then slips through the break and collects under the retina, lifting it off the back wall of the eye. This often happens after the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina and creates a tear during a posterior vitreous detachment. As the detachment spreads, more of the retina loses contact with the tissue that supports it. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to permanent vision loss.

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What Is Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment?

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a type of retinal detachment that starts with a tear or hole in the retina. Fluid then slips through the break and collects under the retina, lifting it off the back wall of the eye. This often happens after the vitreous gel pulls away from the retina and creates a tear during a posterior vitreous detachment. As the detachment spreads, more of the retina loses contact with the tissue that supports it. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to permanent vision loss.

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What Causes Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment?

This condition begins when vitreous traction creates a retinal tear, which is the entry point for fluid to move under the retina. The risk is higher in people with high myopia because the retina is stretched and thinner. Lattice degeneration can also weaken the retina and make tears more likely. Eye trauma and prior eye surgery, especially cataract surgery, can raise the chance of a tear and detachment. A prior tear or detachment in the other eye also increases risk.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Many people first notice sudden new floaters that look like spots, cobwebs, or specks drifting in vision. Flashes of light, especially in the side vision, can happen when the vitreous tugs on the retina. A growing shadow or curtain across part of the visual field is a classic warning sign of a detachment. Vision can also turn blurry or distorted as the detachment reaches more central areas. These symptoms are often painless, so it is still important to seek urgent care right away.

How Is It Diagnosed?

An eye doctor diagnoses it with a dilated eye exam that lets the retina be viewed in detail. The clinician looks for a retinal tear, the extent of the detachment, and any weak areas that could form new tears. Scleral depression is sometimes used to help find small tears in the far peripheral retina. If bleeding or another issue blocks the view, ocular ultrasound can help confirm a detachment. The other eye is often examined closely because similar risk factors can exist on both sides.

How Is It Treated?

Treatment focuses on closing the retinal break and reattaching the retina to the back of the eye. Laser or cryotherapy is used to seal the tear so fluid cannot keep passing through it. Surgery is often needed, with options such as pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckle, or vitrectomy depending on tear location and detachment size. If a gas bubble is used, specific head positioning is sometimes required so the bubble supports the tear. Faster treatment usually leads to better outcomes, especially if the macula has not detached.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Is rhegmatogenous retinal detachment an emergency?

Yes, it is an eye emergency because the retina can stop working when it is detached. Prompt care can stop the detachment from spreading and can protect central vision. New floaters, flashes, or a curtain-like shadow should be checked the same day. Even if symptoms seem mild, rapid evaluation matters.

Can rhegmatogenous retinal detachment heal without treatment?

No, it does not heal on its own once the retina detaches. The retinal tear keeps letting fluid build up under the retina, which can make the detachment expand. Treatment is needed to seal the tear and restore the retina to its normal position. Waiting increases the risk of lasting vision loss.

What is the difference between a retinal tear and a retinal detachment?

A retinal tear is a break in the retina, often caused by vitreous traction. A retinal detachment happens when fluid moves through that break and lifts the retina away from the back of the eye. A tear can exist without a detachment, which is why early treatment of tears can prevent detachment. A detachment is more serious because it affects how the retina functions.

References

Retinal Detachment. EyeWiki. https://eyewiki.org/Retinal_Detachment. Date Accessed February 4, 2026.

Detached Retina (Retinal Detachment). American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/detached-torn-retina. Date Accessed February 4, 2026.

Retinal Detachment - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-20351344. Date Accessed February 4, 2026.

Retinal Detachment. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Date Accessed February 4, 2026.

Retinal Detachment: Symptoms & Causes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10705-retinal-detachment. Date Accessed February 4, 2026.