Living with retinal detachment

A detached retina, also referred to as retinal detachment, occurs when the retina (the layer at the back of the eye), comes away from the blood vessels supplying it with oxygen. Symptoms of a detached retina include: a sudden deterioration in your vision, new floaters (specks or lines) in your vision, seeing flashes of light, a shadow or curtain of darkness at the side or middle of your vision.

For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatments for a detached retina, head to the dedicated NHS webpage.

Living independently with a detached retina

In the following video, Hilary shares her experience of living with detached retina.

If you experience sight loss because of retinal detachment, there are many ways to maintain an independent lifestyle. Most people live independently with a good level of vision following retinal detachment surgery.

A detached retina causes varying levels of sight loss, so the practical support you need can differ depending on the quality of your remaining vision. For example, factors such as the level of vision in the eye that didn’t experience retinal detachment, and whether the detachment affected your peripheral vision (side vision), central vision, or both, will play a part in determining the right support for you.

Our guide to making the most of your vision is a good place to start, and you can ask your ophthalmologist about a low vision assessment (LVA). Additionally, some items and tips for helping with day-to-day activities include:

• Bright lighting: ensure your home has plenty of bright, even lighting, with particularly good lighting for close-up work, like reading. Explore a selection of magnifier lamps available at RNIB.
• Low vision aids: tools such as magnifiers can help with seeing details, and they may be available to loan from your local low vision service. Phones with large numbers and stickers with large print for keyboards also offer quick ways to improve your independence.
• Technology: everyday technology can also enhance your independence. Books, newspapers, and magazines are available on e-readers and tablets in large text. Computers and phones can read messages aloud, and there’s also clever tech products such as talking microwaves and weighing scales. Explore our Tech Selector Tool to learn about other assistive technology. 

Support for retinal detachment with Guide Dogs

At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.

The ways we could help you:

• Habilitation or rehabilitation of important life skills
• Our guide dog service
• Our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can make recommendations best suited to you and your needs
• Tips and advice to help you make the most of your remaining vision
• Resources and support on how technology can improve your independence

Here’s how partnering with a guide dog helped Hilary:

Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.