What is a significant risk factor for retinal detachment?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is identified as a significant risk factor for retinal detachment due to the structural changes it causes in the eye. Individuals with high myopia have elongated eyeballs, which can lead to increased tension on the retinal tissues. The stretching of the retina makes it more susceptible to tears and breaks, ultimately increasing the likelihood of detachment. This condition occurs when the retina separates from the underlying supportive tissue, which can lead to vision loss if not promptly treated.

Other conditions, while related to eye health, do not pose as direct a risk for retinal detachment as myopia. Hypertension can affect the overall health of the eyes and blood vessels but is not as closely linked to the mechanical changes that lead to retinal detachment. Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which involves damage to blood vessels in the retina but also does not directly cause the physical detachment as myopia does. Age-related macular degeneration primarily affects the central portion of the retina (macula) and is associated with loss of central vision rather than detachment. Thus, myopia stands out as the most significant risk factor among the options offered.