Retinal tears or breaks are not an unusual phenomenon but usually are nontraumatic and asymptomatic. This statement is based on the finding of retinal breaks in 6% to 11% of all individuals over 20 yr of age undergoing autopsy (5). These asymptomatic breaks may be stable but can become symptomatic and lead to retinal detachment, the most significant complication of a retinal break (5). However, traumatic retinal breaks, while accounting for a small portion of retinal breaks overall, are much more prone to lead to retinal detachment and have a greater potential for subsequent vision loss. Because of this, it is recommended that all acute retinal tears be treated within 24 to 72 h (4). The following case serves as an example of such a traumatic retinal break sustained by a college basketball player, prompt evaluation and treatment, and an expedient return to play. The patient._ was informed and provided written consent for information concerning this case to be submitted for publication.
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