Can PED lead to retinal detachment?

PED (when a layer of cells under the retina no longer lies flat against the back of the eye as it should) does not on its own lead to retinal detachment. When this layer of cells (called the pigment epithelial layer) separates from the back of the eye and elevates, the retinal layer, above it, can become raised as well. This typically does not lead to retinal detachment. However, sometimes abnormal blood vessels can grow under the retina (choroidal neovascularization) with PED. This type of PED can be linked to retinal detachment that happens in the macula, in the middle of the retina.