What characterizes tractional retinal detachment?

Tractional retinal detachment is primarily characterized by adhesions between the vitreous gel and the retina. This type of detachment occurs when fibrous tissue in the vitreous pulls on the retina, causing it to separate from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. This pulling can arise from conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy or severe retinal scarring.

In this scenario, it is the traction caused by these adhesions that leads to the detachment, rather than fluid accumulation or uneven pressure, which are associated with other forms of retinal detachment like exudative or rhegmatogenous detachments. Fluid accumulation behind the retina usually indicates an exudative detachment. Uneven pressure on the eye surface could relate to anatomical issues but does not specifically describe tractional retinal detachment. Additionally, a sudden tear in the lens is not related to retinal detachment and denotes a different ocular condition altogether. Thus, the defining feature of tractional retinal detachment lies in the presence and impact of these adhesions between the vitreous gel and the retina.