Alta Bates IVF Program Please visit us at our new location:
2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1360 Seattle WA 98121.
Call Us: 206.623.1758

What Are Retinal Tears and Detachments?

The retina is the inside lining of the eye. It turns light into nerve signals. These signals are then sent to the brain where they become the images you see. The retina may be torn or detached due to aging, an eye injury, or other problems. Tears and detachments are painless. But they often cause troubling vision changes. If you have symptoms of a tear or detachment, see your ophthalmologist right away, within 24 hours of noticing symptoms. He or she will assess your vision changes and help you decide on treatment.

Symptoms of a Detachment

If you have a detachment, you may notice:

  • A shadow or "curtain" across your vision.

  • Signs of a tear (floaters, flashes, and blurry vision)

Symptoms of a Tear

If you have a tear, you may notice:

  • Floaters (spots or threads in your vision)

  • Flashes (bursts of light in your vision)

  • Sudden blurry vision

Date Last Reviewed: 2005-10-04T00:00:00-06:00

Date Last Modified: 2005-10-04T00:00:00-06:00

Testimonials

We see patients from the downtown Seattle, Belltown and South Lake Union areas of Seattle in King County, WA.

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Our Staff

Dr. Feiten was born and raised in Wisconsin, attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for her undergraduate studies. She graduated from Pacific University with her Doctor of Optometry degree in 1987. She practiced in Kentucky for seven years, receiving the Young OD of the Year Award in 1994.

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Contact Us

2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1360
Seattle, WA 98121
206.623.1758
Fax: 206.623.1759
Map and driving directions