Holes in the retina can occur because of changes that happen as we age, whereas tears happen because the retina Most retinal detachments happen because a tear or hole in the retina allows fluid to leak between the retinal layers and this then causes the retina to detach. Light passes through the gel to focus on the macula. The eye is filled with a clear substance called the vitreous gel. The rest of the retina, gives you side vision (peripheral vision). Your macula also gives you much of your ability to see colours. This highly specialised part of the retina is vital, because it enables you to see fine detail when you are looking directly at something such as words, photos or the television. Light is focused onto a tiny area of the retina called the macula, which is about the size of a pinhead. The retina is also supplied with blood by a delicate network of blood vessels on its surface. The sensory retina contains the light sensitive cells and its supporting layer is made up of the retinal pigment known as epithelium. The retina is made up of different layers. The brain interprets these signals to 'see' the world around you. The retina converts the light into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to your brain. The retina is a delicate tissue that coats the inside of your eye. When you look at something, light passes through the front of your eye, and is focused by the lens onto your retina. The retina needs to be attached to the pigment epithelium to survive and work properly, so if a retinal detachment is not detected and treated quickly it can result in the loss of some or all the vision in your eye. Retinal detachment occurs when the sensory retina separates from the retinal pigment epithelium rather like wallpaper peeling off a damp wall. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency and if it is not assessed and treated you may lose all the vision in the affected eye.

Torn retina vision