What is retinal detachment?

Retinal detachment refers specifically to the separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigmented epithelium. This condition can lead to significant vision impairment or blindness if not addressed promptly. The neurosensory retina is responsible for the initial processing of visual information, while the retinal pigmented epithelium supports the health and metabolic needs of the photoreceptors located in the neurosensory retina.

When detachment occurs, it disrupts the functioning of these layers, leading to symptoms such as flashes of light, floaters, or a curtain-like shadow over the visual field. Understanding this process is crucial for veterinary ophthalmologists when diagnosing and treating conditions that can lead to retinal detachment.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately describe retinal detachment. Partial loss from the choroid implies a different pathology, thickening due to inflammation does not imply separation, and correct attachment to the optic disc suggests that there is no detachment occurring at all. Therefore, the description of separation precisely captures the essence of what retinal detachment entails, making it the correct answer.