[masraum]

Based on my wife's experience and what the Drs said, and what I/we found on the Internet, vitreous detachment is practically a when more than an if as we age. I think pretty much everyone that gets to 80 has gone through it, and it starts in the 50s/60s.

Yes, it could lead to a retinal tear. They are very good at taking care of those these days. The key is to get in as soon as you realize there's a problem (dark spots in your vision would be a sign to get things checked out).

My wife have detachment along with a tear (she didn't realize there was an issue and waited weeks before seeing an opthamologist that then got her to a Dr that specialized ASAP. Her surgery was on the extreme side to fix the tear, but was 100% effective at repairing the tear. I suspect getting in sooner would have made the surgery less extreme.