A retinal tear or break happens when the gel-like vitreous in your eye pulls on your retina and causes a split. Your retina is a thin layer of tissue that’s sensitive to light found at the back of your eye.
A retinal tear isn’t the same as a retinal detachment. A retinal tear could lead to a retinal detachment if the tear isn’t treated. A retinal detachment happens when the retina pulls away from the tissues that support it.
You can also develop a hole in your retina when your retina gets thinner. Retinal holes are less likely to lead to retinal detachment.
Retinal tears and any injury that damages your retina threatens your eyesight and is a medical emergency. Contact your eye care provider as soon as you have retinal tear symptoms or any type of eye injury.