Who Does a Detached Retina Affect?
If you have a family history of retinal detachment or have experienced a previous retinal detachment in your other eye, you are at an increased risk. Age can also be a contributing factor in retinal detachments occurring; people over 50 are at a great risk. Other contributing factors include: • Nearsightedness (myopia). The shape of a nearsighted eye results in more pressure on the retina. This, in turn, can cause the retina to detach. The retina is also thinner and more likely to tear in people who are nearsighted. • Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can lead to retinal detachment. • Cataract Surgery. People who have had cataract surgery are at an increased risk for later developing retinal detachment. • Blunt injury or blow to the head. • Injury to the eye. • Other eye disorders, such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy or eye tumors.
