Every year, thousands of Americans sustain eye injuries in a car accident. One of them is retinal detachment. What is Retinal Detachment? According to the Mayo Clinic, a retinal detachment describes an emergency situation in which the thin layer of tissue (the retina) at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position. The detachment separates the retina cells from the layer of blood vessels that are responsible for providing oxygen and nourishment. Symptoms The condition is painless, however there are warning signs before it occurs or has advanced..