What is the most noticeable symptom of a retinal detachment?

The most noticeable symptom of a retinal detachment is the appearance of a dark growing shadow. This occurs due to the separation of the retina from the underlying tissue, which impacts vision in the affected area. Patients often describe this shadow as coming from the periphery and moving toward the center of their vision, which can create the sensation of a curtain or veil obstructing their field of view.

While increased eye pressure, blurred vision, and severe headaches can occur in various eye conditions, they are not specific indicators of retinal detachment. Increased eye pressure is more commonly associated with conditions like glaucoma. Blurred vision may indicate numerous visual disturbances but is not as distinctive in the context of retinal detachment as the shadow phenomenon. Similarly, headaches could result from many different causes and do not directly correlate with retinal detachment. Thus, the dark shadow symptom serves as a key warning sign that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.