What is passive retinal detachment primarily characterized by?

Passive retinal detachment is primarily characterized by the accumulation of fluid between the two layers of the retina, which leads to separation of the retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. This type of detachment occurs without the presence of a tear; instead, fluid leakage from the surrounding retinal vasculature accumulates in the subretinal space.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial for recognizing the clinical presentation and potential causes of passive retinal detachment. It is often associated with conditions like inflammation, serous fluid accumulation due to various pathological processes, or diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy.

In contrast, other conditions mentioned in the choices involve different mechanisms or characteristics that do not define passive retinal detachment, such as muscle contractions or tears which are more relevant to the active form of retinal detachment.