Background
Any time subretinal fluid accumulates in the space between the neurosensory retina and the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a retinal detachment occurs. Depending on the mechanism of subretinal fluid accumulation, retinal detachments traditionally have been classified into rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative.
Clinically rhegmatogenous retinal detachments manifest corrugations, undulate, andhave a retinal surface that moves with eye movements; a retinal tear(s) is present. Tractional retinal detachments are characterized by a concave shape. In contrast, exudative retinal detachments assume a convex configuration and have no retinal breaks. Shifting subretinal fluid is often found.