What is traction retinal detachment?

Traction retinal detachment is a pulling away of the retina from the layer of eye tissue beneath it. This can occur in people who have scar tissue or other abnormal growths on the retina.

The retina is a thin layer of nerve cells that line the back of the eye. It detects light entering the eye and converts it into nerve signals.

Traction retinal detachment is most often a result of proliferative retinopathy, a condition in which abnormal blood vessel growth occurs on or around the retina. This growth of abnormal blood vessels can damage the structure of the retina. Proliferative retinopathy is usually related to diabetes. But it may also occur as a complication of surgery for an earlier retinal detachment.

A variety of surgical procedures can be used to repair a detached retina.