The retina is a light-sensitive layer placed behind the eye. When light enters an individual’s eye, the lens concentrates the information onto the retina. The retina converts the image to electrical signals that are transferred to the brain via the optic nerve (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). In conjunction with the conjunctiva, lens, and other components of the eye and brain, the retina is responsible for producing normal vision (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). When the retina breaks from the back of the eye, this is referred to as retinal detachment (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). Thus, this results in a temporary or permanent loss of eyesight, contingent upon how much of the retina is separated. When a person’s retina becomes disengaged, its cells may experience severe oxygen deprivation.
Eye floaters are a natural occurrence caused by the eye’s vitreous substance. The vitreous layer contributes to the spherical shape of the eye. Floaters develop when the vitreous cells in a person’s eye begin to contract (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). As the material decreases, microscopic fibers might separate and become fibrous. Therefore, this is referred to as vitreous separation by physicians (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). The separation results in stringy aggregates of vitreous that can obstruct the transmission of light into the retina (Agarwal & Gupta, 2021). As such, this creates a very slight shadow in the eye, which is what makes floaters visible.
Floaters in the eyes are a natural component of old age, and therefore, the 55-year-old man may be experiencing eye floaters due to old age. Additionally, most eye floaters are produced by age-related modifications in the jelly-like fluid called vitreous within an individual’s eyes (Spandau & Tomic, 2018). The minuscule vitreous fibers cluster and can generate microscopic shades on the retina. Retinal detachment is a medical problem that can be treated successfully if detected early. If the macula permanently separates, the patient may lose all eyesight (Spandau & Tomic, 2018). Thus, reattaching the photoreceptors as soon as possible is critical to avoid such a catastrophic problem. However, if medical care is prolonged for an extended period, irreversible damage to one’s vision or even loss of eyesight in the affected eye may result.
References
Agarwal, A., & Gupta, V. (2021). Viral retinitis-related retinal detachment. Cutting-edge Vitreoretinal Surgery, 1-455. Web.
Spandau, U., & Tomic, Z. (2018). 180° Retinotomy. In Retinal Detachment Surgery and Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (pp. 147-152). Springer, Cham.