At Retina Associates in Tucson, Arizona, board-certified ophthalmologists Cameron Javid, MD, April Harris, MD, Egbert Saavedra, MD, and Mark Walsh, MD treat patients with disorders of the retina and vitreous. One condition that Dr. Cameron Javid and his colleagues at Retina Associates frequently see is retinal detachment, which is an emergency situation that can threaten a patient’s vision.

2.  At Retina Associates in Tucson, Arizona, board-
certified ophthalmologists Cameron Javid, MD,
April Harris, MD, Egbert Saavedra, MD, and
Mark Walsh, MD treat patients with disorders of
the retina and vitreous. One condition that Dr.
Cameron Javid and his colleagues at Retina
Associates frequently see is retinal
detachment, which is an emergency situation
that can threaten a patient’s vision.
The retina is a layer of tissue located at the
back of the eye. Connected to blood vessels
that supply it with oxygen, this light-sensitive
part of the eye is a critical component of vision

3.  A retinal detachment occurs when the
retina is separated from its blood supply
and is deprived of oxygen. This condition
often occurs due to eye injury, advanced
diabetes, or previous cataract surgery. It
can also manifest in those who have a wide
range of eye disorders, including
retinoschisis and degenerative myopia.
Retinal detachment can happen to
anyone at any age, but it most often
occurs in those who are over 40 or have a
family history of the condition.

4.  A detached retina does not cause pain,
but it does present with clear warning signs.
These may include a sudden appearance
or gradual increase in floaters or light
flashes in the eye. Patients may also
experience a shadow over a portion of the
visual field. Immediate medical attention is
necessary to prevent vision loss, and
treatment usually consists of laser surgery or
a freezing procedure called cryopexy if the
retina is torn or an outpatient surgical
procedure if the retina is detached, both of
which help secure the retina back in place.