I used to work in an ophthalmologists office and one of the conditions that needed immediate attention was detached retina.

The retina is a thin layer of nerve cells lining the inside of the back of the eye. You need the retina to see properly. It turns the light that enters the eye into an image by sending a message along the optic nerve to the brain.

When this light-sensitive layer becomes separated from the inner wall of the eye, it is called retinal detachment. If this is not treated, it usually leads to blindness in the affected eye.

Retinal detachment normally occurs in one eye and is rare, affecting one in 10,000 people. It can affect anyone but is more common in those who are short-sighted, have had complicated cataract surgery in the past, or who have suffered a significant blow to the eye in the past. The retina usually becomes detached if there are one or more holes in it. This can happen naturally if the retina becomes thin, particularly among those who are short-sighted. Retinal detachment can be caused by injury to the eye or diabetes

The fluid in front of the retina creeps in through the breaks and separates the retina. Retinal detachment can be treated with surgery to seal the holes and reattach the retina and this will usually bring back some but not all of the sight and prevent you blindness.

Vision is affected if the retina is unable to function properly This means it can have implications for driving.