How do they fix a torn retina?

In pneumatic retinopexy, your doctor will inject a small air bubble into your eye. The bubble will push your retina back into place so your doctor can use a laser or freeze treatment to repair any holes or tears. You can usually get this surgery in your doctor's office.

How long does it take to recover from torn retina surgery?

For those that have recently undergone laser surgery for a retinal tear or detachment, the healing process could take anywhere from one week to four weeks. It normally takes a full week for the laser treatment to fully seal the tear and prevent detachment, but things can still go wrong once sealed.

How serious is a tear in the retina?

The retina is very thin, and a tear in it is a very serious and potentially blinding problem. If you develop a retinal tear, it can allow for fluid to enter beneath the retina and cause a retinal detachment. Common symptoms of a retinal tear include the sensation of flashes of light in the eye and floaters.

How do they fix a retina tear?

After sealing a retinal tear with cryopexy, a gas bubble is injected into the vitreous. The bubble applies gentle pressure, helping a detached section of the retina to reattach to the eyeball. If your retina has detached, you'll need surgery to repair it, preferably within days of a diagnosis.

Can torn retina be repaired?

There are several types of surgery to repair a detached retina. A simple tear in the retina can be treated with freezing, called cryotherapy, or a laser procedure. Different types of retinal detachment require different kinds of surgery and different levels of anesthesia.

Torn Retina: Laser Surgery (Photocoagulation)

How urgent is surgery for a detached retina?

Description. Most retinal detachment repair operations are urgent. If holes or tears in the retina are found before the retina detaches, the eye doctor can close the holes using a laser. This procedure is most often done in the health care provider's office.

How successful is laser surgery for retinal tear?

Repairing retinal tears and detachments is a common though finely nuanced procedure performed with continuous wave high-energy laser delivery that can be performed safely in an outpatient setting with very favorable success rates as high as 98%.

Do retinal tears always need surgery?

Treatment for retinal tears

“Most retinal tears are treated during in-office procedures,” says Dr. Peter Nixon, “However, if a retinal tear progresses to a retinal detachment, surgery is almost always required at a local surgery center or hospital under either local or general anesthesia.

Is a retinal tear an emergency?

Retinal detachment is a medical emergency in which you can permanently lose your vision.

How do you sleep after retinal tear surgery?

Face down (“eyes down”) posturing is only required during waking hours, not when you're sleeping. It is recommended to sleep on either side or even your front, but not sleep on your back as that would make the bubble move away from the macular hole.

Is retinal laser surgery painful?

Most retinal laser treatments involve only mild discomfort. Depending on the type of treatment, different anesthetics are used. Many treatments require only anesthetic eye drops, which numb the eye. Some laser treatments, however, involve greater discomfort, and occasionally an anesthetic injection is required.

What is the most common cause of retinal tear?

Aging is the most common cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. As you get older, the vitreous in your eye may change in texture and may shrink. Sometimes, as it shrinks, the vitreous can pull on your retina and tear it.

What does your vision look like with a torn retina?

Black spots in field of vision. Flashes of light. Blurry vision. Darker/dimmer vision.

How long does a retinal tear take to detach?

The rate of progression of a retinal detachment can vary from days to weeks depending on many factors such as patient age as well as the size and the number of retinal tears. Gradual loss of peripheral vision in the form of a shadow, curtain, or cloud (this corresponds to the retina detaching.)

How common is retinal tear?

The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye cavity like wallpaper. Retinal tears and holes are quite common. In fact, they´re found in about 10% of the population. A healthy, intact retina is essential for a clear vision.

How long does it take to lose vision after retinal detachment?

After surgery for retinal detachment

During the post-operative period: Your eye may be uncomfortable for several weeks, particularly if a scleral buckle has been used. Your vision will be blurry – it may take some weeks or even three to six months for your vision to improve. Your eye may water.

What happens if you don't fix a detached retina?

If the retinal detachment isn't treated right away, more of the retina can detach — which increases the risk of permanent vision loss or blindness.

What are the warning signs of a detached retina?

Is retinal detachment surgery painful?

Retinal surgery is usually painless and performed while you remain awake and comfortable. Advances in technology have decreased the length of surgery making outpatient eye surgery possible. Before the procedure begins, you will be given anesthetic eye drops that numb the eyes.

Can you drive after retinal tear surgery?

Generally, driving can be resumed in several days if you have good vision in your other eye. If you do not feel comfortable driving, do not drive! Your depth perception may be decreased, so you will want to try driving during the day in light traffic until you feel comfortable driving.

Can rubbing eyes cause retinal tear?

In general, eye rubbing alone will not lead to retinal tears or detachment. You would have to press and rub your eyes very hard to damage or detach the retina. However, excessive and aggressive eye rubbing is a bad habit that can potentially harm the cornea or cause eye irritation.

Do floaters go away after retinal tear laser surgery?

Therefore, most of the time there will be no noticeable change in the peripheral vision from the tear or the laser treatment. The laser treatment does not treat the floaters or flashing lights. These typically resolve gradually on their own over a period of weeks to months.

What is the difference between a retinal tear and a retinal detachment?

Your retina could tear before it detaches. A torn retina usually has the same symptoms as a detached one. If your retina gets torn, the fluid inside your eye can leak underneath and separate the retina from its underlying tissue. That's a retinal detachment.

Can you blink during laser eye surgery?

A common concern among potential LASIK patients is whether they will be awake during the procedure. Yes—patients are awake during LASIK. However, there is no need to worry if you accidentally blink or move your eyes during the surgery.

Can I watch TV after retinal detachment?

During the recovery period, patients should avoid certain activities including watching TV, driving and heavy lifting. Patients with nonactive jobs can typically return to work after two weeks. If not treated quickly, a retinal detachment can cause partial or total vision loss so prompt treatment is essential.