Located in the retina are cells that are sensitive to light and some that pass nerve impulses to the brain. If the retina detaches from the back of the eye, vision is severely affected. There are various reasons why detachment occurs such as injury to the eye, myopia (short-sightedness), eye surgery, diabetic retinopathy , glaucoma or eye tumours. Given that retinal detachments can seriously impair vision, it is vital that professional medical attention is provided immediately, if any of the following retinal detachment symptoms are experienced. Symptoms may include flashes, floaters, shadows that affect peripheral vision and a curtain effect across the field of vision. Flashing Lights Flashes are impressions of bright lights at the field of vision border, normally affecting one eye at a time. When the vitreous humour , the clear gel within the eyeball shrinks or tugs the retina, the resulting pressure applied to the retina nerve cells causes the flashes. If the pulling is stron...