Once this type of retinal detachment develops and causes symptoms, it can progress to total blindness if it is not repaired promptly. In the United States, retinal detachment is a relatively uncommon condition, affecting only one of every 10,000 Americans each year.
Gas exchange in reptiles still occurs in alveoli however, reptiles do not possess a diaphragm. Thus, breathing occurs via a change in the volume of the body cavity which is controlled by contraction of intercostal muscles in all reptiles except turtles.
Millions of tiny sacs within the vertebrate lungs where gas exchange occurs. Simple squamous epithelium allow O2 and CO2 to diffuse into and out of the alveoli and are surrounded by blood capillaries (300 million alveoli).