Conic Section
X-Plain
Retinal Tear and Detachment
Reference Summary
Introduction
The retina is the layer of tissue in the back of the eye that is responsible for vision. It is attached to the choroid tissue, which supplies the retina with blood. Retinal detachment is a disease where the retina separates from the choroid after a retinal tear develops.
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition. If it is not treated, it can lead to blindness. Each year, 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with retinal detachment. There are clear warning signs that a person is developing a retinal tear or detachment. When diagnosed early, most retinal problems are treatable. With treatment, retinal problems usually do not affect vision very much.
This reference summary explains what retinal tears and detachments are. It discusses their symptoms, causes, diagnosis and
Lens
treatment options.
Cornea
Anatomy
It is important to recognize the parts of the eye before learning about retinal tears and detachments. This section reviews the anatomy of the eye.
Light hits the cornea of the eye first. The cornea is the transparent covering on the front of the eye.
Iris
Vitreous
Macula
Retina
Next, light travels to the back part of the eye through the pupil. The pupil is the opening in the center of the iris, the colored part of the eye.
This document is a summary of what appears on screen in X-Plain™. It is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2009, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 6/02/2009
ot070103
1
The iris controls the amount of light that enters the eye by changing the size of the
Retinal Tear and Detachment
Reference Summary
Introduction
The retina is the layer of tissue in the back of the eye that is responsible for vision. It is attached to the choroid tissue, which supplies the retina with blood. Retinal detachment is a disease where the retina separates from the choroid after a retinal tear develops.
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition. If it is not treated, it can lead to blindness. Each year, 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with retinal detachment. There are clear warning signs that a person is developing a retinal tear or detachment. When diagnosed early, most retinal problems are treatable. With treatment, retinal problems usually do not affect vision very much.
This reference summary explains what retinal tears and detachments are. It discusses their symptoms, causes, diagnosis and
Lens
treatment options.
Cornea
Anatomy
It is important to recognize the parts of the eye before learning about retinal tears and detachments. This section reviews the anatomy of the eye.
Light hits the cornea of the eye first. The cornea is the transparent covering on the front of the eye.
Iris
Vitreous
Macula
Retina
Next, light travels to the back part of the eye through the pupil. The pupil is the opening in the center of the iris, the colored part of the eye.
This document is a summary of what appears on screen in X-Plain™. It is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2009, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 6/02/2009
ot070103
1
The iris controls the amount of light that enters the eye by changing the size of the