Colin Mochrie’s Eye Emergency Is a Reminder That Retinal Detachment Can’t Wait
Early January brought an unexpected health headline: comedian and “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” favorite Colin Mochrie postponed tour dates after being diagnosed with a detached retina and undergoing emergency eye surgery.
It’s a celebrity story, but it’s also a timely January reminder for everyone: retinal detachment is a true eye emergency, and the warning signs are often sudden, sometimes painless, and easy to brush off until vision is at risk.
Below is what Austin Retina wants our community to know: what retinal detachment is, how to recognize it quickly, and what to do immediately if symptoms show up.
What is retinal detachment?
Your retina is the light-sensitive layer lining the back of your eye that sends visual signals to your brain. A retinal detachment happens when the retina pulls away from the tissue that supports and nourishes it. This separation can threaten vision because the retina isn’t getting what it needs to function.
The key point: time matters. The longer the retina stays detached, the higher the risk of permanent vision loss in that eye.
The symptoms you should never “wait and see” on
Retinal detachment is often described as painless, which is one reason people delay care. Instead, it usually announces itself through sudden changes in vision, including:
- A sudden increase in floaters (new specks, cobwebs, squiggles drifting across your vision)
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes
- Blurred or reduced vision
- A dark shadow or “curtain” over part of your visual field
- Worsening side (peripheral) vision
If you notice any of these, especially the “curtain” effect, assume it’s urgent until a dilated eye exam proves otherwise.
What to do right away if you have symptoms
Do not drive yourself if your vision is affected. Call for urgent evaluation immediately, either with your eye doctor/retina specialist or the nearest emergency room if you can’t be seen right away. Retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency because delaying treatment can lead to permanent vision loss.
A quick note that surprises people: If only a small part of the retina is involved, you may have minimal symptoms, which is exactly why a sudden change in floaters/flashes should still be checked urgently.
Who is at higher risk?
Retinal detachment can happen to anyone, but risk goes up if you:
- Have had a retinal detachment before, or have a family history of it
- Have had a serious eye injury
- Have had eye surgery (including cataract surgery)
- Have extreme nearsightedness (high myopia)
- Have certain retinal conditions (like lattice degeneration) or posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
If you’re in a higher-risk group, January is a great time to make sure you’re up to date on comprehensive, dilated eye exams, especially if you’ve noticed any new visual changes.
What happens at a retina emergency visit?
Most urgent retina evaluations start with a dilated eye exam, which allows the doctor to carefully examine the retina. Depending on what’s found, additional testing or imaging may be performed to confirm whether there’s a retinal tear (a precursor) or a full detachment. Why that distinction matters is that when a tear is caught early, treatment may prevent it from progressing into a detachment.
How is retinal detachment treated?
Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear/detachment, but common approaches include laser treatment to seal a retinal tear (often used when caught early), and surgery to reattach the retina. There are different surgical methods that your retina specialist will choose based on your specific case.
If a gas bubble is used during retinal repair, you may receive very specific recovery instructions, sometimes including head positioning. And know that air travel (and significant altitude changes) may be unsafe until your doctor confirms the bubble is gone, because pressure changes can expand the bubble and raise eye pressure.
Colin Mochrie’s experience is a reminder of what retina specialists see every week: retinal detachment often shows up as a sudden change – floaters, flashes, a shadow – and the best outcomes happen when people get evaluated immediately.
Get Eye Care in Austin
Austin Retina Associates treats a wide range of retinal conditions. Our experienced team of retina specialists in Austin are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life.
Contact us at 800-252-8259, or request an appointment online at one of our retina treatment centers located in Austin and throughout Central Texas.
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