Retinal detachment is a condition where the retina, a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, is pulled away from its normal position. There are three types of retinal detachment: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. The most common cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is aging, as the vitreous in the eye may change in texture and shrink, which can pull on the retina and tear it. Other factors that can increase the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment include eye injuries, eye surgery, and nearsightedness. Tractional retinal detachment is caused by scar tissue on the retina, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. The most common cause of tractional retinal detachment is diabetic retinopathy, which damages blood vessels in the retina and can scar the retina. Exudative retinal detachment happens when fluid builds up behind the retina, but there aren’t any tears or breaks in the retina. This type of detachment can be caused by age-related macular degeneration, injury to the eye, tumors, or inflammatory disorders.

In summary, the most common cause of retinal detachment depends on the type of detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, the most common type, is often caused by aging, while tractional retinal detachment is most commonly caused by diabetic retinopathy. Exudative retinal detachment is rare and can be caused by various retinal diseases, including inflammatory disorders and injury/trauma to the eye.