Which type of retinal detachment is described as tractional?

Tractional retinal detachment occurs when fibrous tissue on the surface of the retina contracts and pulls the retina away from its underlying supportive tissue. This type is most commonly associated with conditions that cause abnormal blood vessel growth and scarring, particularly diabetes. In diabetic patients, the presence of diabetic retinopathy can lead to the development of scar tissue on the retina. When this scar tissue contracts, it exerts traction on the retina, resulting in detachment.

Understanding the conditions that lead to tractional detachment is essential for differentiating it from other types of retinal detachment, such as rhegmatogenous, which is caused by retinal tears, or exudative, which is associated with fluid accumulation beneath the retina. The other options pertain to different mechanisms of retinal involvement that are not specifically related to the exaggerated tractional forces found in diabetes-related complications.