Macular Detachment

A macular detachment is when the most sensitive portion of the retina - the macula - become detached from its underlying base. When the macula becomes detached, the portion of the retina responsible for tranferring light into neural energy separates from the underlying base called the reinal pigment epithelium.

Anatomy There are no intertwining junctions between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium. Therefore the attachment between them is a weak and easily separated. When a retinal deatchment occurs, the space between both of them is enlarged.

Attachment between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium is the result of mechanical forces and metabolic reactions. Pressure from the vitreous and a small amount of aqueous fluid against the retina tend to tamponade it in position. Formed vitreous also maintains apposition of the retina to the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. Vitreous also helps seal retinal breaks.