Family medical history and preexisting health conditions are among the many risk factors for retinal detachment. I’m at high risk thanks to several factors, and it makes me nervous.
Anyone can develop retinal detachment, a condition in which the layer of tissue near the back of the eye begins lifting away from the retina.
But certain people have a
The
- you or an immediate family member has had a previous retinal detachment
- serious eye injury, such as from heavy lifting
- eye surgery
As you age, the risk of a certain type of retinal detachment
Family history
Anyone can have retinal detachment. But people with family who have experienced this eye issue are more at risk.
Those with first-degree relatives who have had a detached retina are especially at risk.
A 2023 research review cites older, long-established family studies that showed how one type of retinal detachment can cluster within families, and that lifetime risk doubles when a first-degree relative has that retinal detachment.
Other health conditions
Certain eye-related disorders and other medical conditions also raise your risk of retinal detachment. These
- extreme nearsightedness
- age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- eye surgery, such as for cataracts
- diabetic retinopathy
- diabetic macular edema
- posterior vitreous detachment, when the gel-like fluid in the center of your eye pulls away from the retina
- other eye diseases, such as Coats disease, retinal separation, and thinning of the retina
Early detection is important
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) clinical guidelines note that early detection is key to diagnosing and treating retinal detachment to avoid vision loss.
On those guidelines, the AAO notes that doctors should tell people most at risk about the symptoms of retinal detachment and to get immediate medical care if any of those appear. These symptoms may include:
- eye floaters
- sudden flashes
- a shadow or curtain across your vision
Getting routine eye exams and periodic fundus examinations with an eye or retinal specialist can also help keep tabs on the retina to check for any developing retinal tear or detachment.
Several risk factors for retinal detachment apply in my life, and that makes me quite nervous.
Diabetes, eye conditions, and genes
First, my longtime type 1 diabetes is always a factor in anything related to my health. I was diagnosed as a child more than 4 decades ago. My diabetes wasn’t always well managed in my younger years, and retinopathy eventually became a reality.
I’ve had many laser and injection treatments over the past several years.
Plus, I’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma and diabetic macular edema, both of which could set me up for retinal detachment even more. There’s also a risk of cataracts from my maternal grandmother and mom (the latter who also lives with T1D since childhood and diabetic retinopathy).
So, with all of those earlier-mentioned risk factors in mind, I already have some higher risk with my own health and what’s likely in my genes.
I also happen to be nearsighted, and have been for most of my life. And now that I’m in my later 40s, I’m reaching an age where my risk of retinal detachment is even higher.
Retinal detachment family history
Beyond that, my dad’s side brings the family history of retinal detachment.
My paternal uncle experienced a detached retina in his 50s. It was caught and treated early; he fully regained his vision without complications.
In his late 50s, my dad suddenly developed a detached retina. He first noticed how his central vision wasn’t clear while driving out of state to a work conference. He waited several days until returning home, before his eye floaters and other symptoms became concerning.
That person prompted him to immediately contact his eye doctor, who quickly referred him to an eye surgeon who told him that waiting any longer might have meant losing his vision.
Doctors performed pneumatic retinopexy surgery, the same procedure my uncle had to repair his detached retina. This took place in that eye surgeon’s office at a medical hospital. The doctor injected a small air bubble into the eye to push the retina back into place. They then used a laser to repair any tears or holes in the retina.
Afterward, my dad needed to lie on his back and keep his head looking up for several days to keep the air bubble from moving. He mentioned seeing the air bubble in his side vision, but it eventually disappeared.
No flying, golfing, lawn mowing, or intense activities while the eye healed.
He wore an eye patch afterward for a few more days, having fun with it and pretending he was a pirate. (“AAAARRG!”)
My dad ended up with only about 60% vision in that eye, and his depth perception was permanently affected. This is apparently because he waited too long for the emergency medical care.
With these risk factors in mind, I’m staying alert to the possibility that retinal detachment may become a part of my life at some point.
Really, at any moment — especially because that happens for many people, including my dad and uncle.
These are some of the steps that people who are most at risk of retinal detachment can take to prevent it and ensure they get immediate care as soon as possible if it does develop:
Get regular eye exams
This is a routine part of my care plan. I’m already visiting a retinal specialist every few months, whether it’s for a diabetes-related checkup, a review of my eyeglasses prescriptions, or for retinopathy treatment. My retinal specialist is aware of my retinal detachment risk and keeps that in her sights as my doctor.
Watch for symptoms
This one is more challenging, because I already experience most of these symptoms relating to other eye issues or my overall health.
But again, it’s about staying mindful and knowing the risk. Neither my dad nor my uncle had diabetes or its complications to factor in, so their symptoms may have been more noticeable. It’s just one more thing I have to stay alert to.
Stay on top of management
Keeping up with my glaucoma and T1D management is on my retinal detachment prevention checklist: two glaucoma eye drops a day and doing what I can to keep my blood sugars in target range as much as possible.
Retinal detachment is a medical emergency. It requires immediate care, possibly surgery. Early detection is key to preventing permanent loss.
People most at risk include those who have personally experienced or have had a direct family member with a past retinal detachment. Other risk factors include other eye health issues like cataracts or glaucoma and health conditions such as diabetes.
Mike Hoskins is an editor at Healthline. For a decade, he was managing editor for DiabetesMine and tapped into his life with type 1 diabetes since childhood. Mike has 25 years of journalism experience at daily, weekly, and specialty print and digital media publications, including his own personal diabetes blogging and advocacy.