Study: Dark spots in vision could mean a retinal tear

November 25, 2009

A new study reported on sciencedaily.com suggests that seeing flashes of light or floaters, which are dark patches in your field of vision, could indicate a retinal tear. The condition can be caused by a variety of factors.

Many people experience thinning of the retina as they age, but thin retinas, or a decrease in the volume of fluid in the eye, can both lead to retinal tears. The news source reports that if a tear goes undetected, the retina of the eye could detach altogether which might cause vision loss.

"If we detect a tear and laser it, we can save people from potentially going blind," Dr. Sanjay Sharma, the senior author of the study told the news source. "But if fluid gets in under the retina and causes it to detach, it may be too late."

Dr. Sarma urges anyone experiencing symptoms of a retinal tear to see an eye care professional for a diagnosis. " New floaters and flashes are a medical condition that needs urgent assessment," she says.