There are three main types of retinal detachment:

Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment is the most common type of retinal detachment. It occurs as a result of a break-usually a tear or hole-in the retina that allows fluid to pass into the space underneath the retina. Tears or holes in the retina may occur without causing any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to have routine eye examinations, especially if you are nearsighted (myopic) or if you play contact sports and may be at risk for eye trauma. Nearsighted individuals are more prone to peripheral retinal degenerations, such as lattice degeneration, which can increase the risk of retinal detachment-making regular eye examinations an even more important part of your routine health care

Exudative Retinal Detachment may occur due to inflammation, injury or a retinal vascular disease that causes fluid accumulation underneath the retina without the presence of a retinal hole or retinal tear.

Tractional Retinal Detachment may occur when fibrous or fibrovascular scar tissue forms on the retina as a result of injury, inflammatory disease, or the presence of neovascularization, such as in diabetic retinopathy. The scar tissue can pull the retina away from the underlying pigment layer to which it is normally attached, causing a retinal detachment.