Retinal detachment is an eye emergency situation in which a retina pulls away from a choroid (the layer of blood vessels that provides the retina with oxygen and nourishment). Retinal detachment is painless, but retinal detachment warning signs and symptoms almost always appear before it occurs or has advanced. Fortunately in most cases, retinal detachment symptoms are obvious and clear warning signs are noticed. Retinal detachment symptoms may consist of: sudden appearance of floaters before an eye, sudden flashes of lights in the affected eye. Finally a shadow or curtain over a portion of your visual field may develop as the detachment progresses. One has to remember that early diagnosis and treatment of retinal detachment can save vision since the longer retinal detachment persists untreated, the greater the risk of permanent vision loss. If you suspect you may have a retinal detachment, contact an eye doctor immediately.