ABSTRACT

The retina, the light-sensitive, multilayered structure in the posterior segment of the eye, has an inner and an outer layer. The junction between the two lies between the neurosensory layer (rods and cones) and its supporting, retinalpigment epithelium or layer. The relationship between these structures is one of adjacent tissue without any firm binding. Thus a potential space exists between them which, if occupied by fluid, blood or other substances, will cause the anterior layer to peel away from its pigment layer. Such an occurrence is known as retinal detachment. It happens for two reasons:

(a) due to a hole in the inner retina causing fluid to detach the retina (rhegmatogenous detachment, Figure 30, page 100); and

(b) due to the presence of solid material, eg tumour tissue, fluid from inflammatory causes or blood (non-rhegmatogenous detachment).