Injuries and contusions, vitreous traction on the retina as part of normal age-related changes, as well as gradual spontaneous thinning of the retina in the outer retinal areas that are less well supplied with blood vessels, can lead to retinal tears and holes. People who are short-sighted are at significantly higher risk than those with normal vision. Flashes of light indicating vitreous traction, a sudden increase in vitreous floaters as a sign of changes in the vitreous, or the appearance of a black shadow that moves like a curtain from the periphery increasingly towards the centre of the visual field are warning signs for which you should come for an eye examination within 24 hours. With the pupil dilated, we examine the retina right to the outermost edge using special magnifying lenses and contact lenses. If a hole or tear is found, in many cases it can be sealed along the tear/hole margins with a special laser without surgery. This can prevent fluid from the vitreous from seeping under the retina and lifting it off the underlying pigment epithelium (retinal detachment, ablatio retinae). However, if there is already a large amount of fluid under the retina, surgery to reattach the retina is required in order to prevent the retinal sensory cells from dying and to prevent blindness.