Retinal tears are breaks in the retina, or nervetissue lining the back of the eye. They usually just develop due to aging and are more common in people who are very shortsighted (myopic). They can present with flashes and floaters and are painless. Retinal tears require urgent treatment with laser or cryotherapy to prevent the retina detaching and vision loss (see the videos on flashes and floaters and retinal detachment).