Problems of the retina and the vitreous can cause severe loss of vision or even blindness. In some cases surgery can help and, performed at the right moment, can prevent serious sight loss.
The retina
The retina has two parts: the peripheral retina and the macula. If you picture the retina as a circle with a centre, the macula is that centre, and it is small. The large area of retina surrounding the macula, making up 95 % of it, is called the peripheral retina.
The vitreous
The most serious retinal problems requiring surgery are caused by problems in the vitreous. The vitreous has roughly the consistency of egg white and fills the central cavity of the eye. It is attached to the retina, most firmly at the back of the eye to the optic nerve, the macula and the large retinal vessels.
If you suddenly notice floaters, flashes of light or a shadow covering part of your field of vision, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible: these can be signs of a vitreous or retinal detachment.