Overview
A tractional retinal detachment occurs when vitreoretinal tractional forces mechanically pull the neurosensory retina away from the RPE in the absence of any retinal break. It is often caused by a proliferative membrane in the vitreous or present over the retinal surface. The proliferative membrane can occur from various different causes, most common being proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
The detached retina in tractional retinal detachments exhibit a concave shape in contrast to the convex shape in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. In some cases, the tractional forces may cause the retina to tear and in this instance, it is referred to as a tractional-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (TRRD).
Below are links to discussion and case examples of conditions that may cause a tractional retinal detachment.