What can cause a retinal tear?
Aging, eye trauma, eye surgery or being drastically nearsighted may cause retinal tears or detachments. If not treated properly, a retinal tear may lead to retinal detachment. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position of lining the inside eyewall.
What happens if you have a retinal tear?
A retinal tear is when the thin layer at the back of your eye (retina) is torn. This creates a risk of retinal detachment and severe loss of vision. If a retinal tear is detected early, before it progresses to retinal detachment, the prognosis is very good.
When to see a doctor for a tear in the retina?
If a retinal tear is detected, you may then be referred to a retina specialist who will confirm the diagnosis, determine the severity of the tear and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Because a rip or tear in the retina can lead to a retinal detachment, retinal tears should be evaluated as soon as possible.
Is there any way to prevent a retinal tear?
Of course, eye trauma should be avoided, however, there are no guidelines to prevent a tear developing in the retina. If you do notice any symptoms, getting these checked and, if necessary, treated quickly can reduce the risk of developing a retinal detachment.
How is a laser used to treat retinal tear?
The goal of the treatment is to seal the edges of the retinal tear and prevent the liquid inside the eye from seeping under the retina through the tear, as this can lead to retinal detachment. The laser is used to surround a tear with several rows of laser spots which turn into a scar within a week.
How long does it take for retinal tear to heal?
The retinal detachment will heal during the normal vitrectomy healing time, which is between 4 to 6 weeks. Normal restoration of vision can take several weeks. Your surgeon will restrict physical activity during this time to prevent complications.
What could cause retinal tear?
A Retinal Tear is most commonly found along the peripheral edges of the retina. Sometimes it is referred to as a retinal break or hole. This is a serious condition, and left untreated may lead to a retinal detachment. The tear may be caused by a trauma, a pre-existing eye condition, or the normal aging process.
What happens after a retinal tear?
Once a retinal tear is present, fluid from the vitreous may seep through the tear into the space between the retina and the wall of the eye. The fluid causes the retina to separate from the back of the eye or detach. The part of the retina that becomes detached will not function properly, resulting in vision loss.
What is recovery time after surgery for retinal tear?
The following are the average recovery times for the three primary types of detached retina surgeries: For pneumatic retinopexy, the recovery time is approximately three weeks. For scleral buckling, the recovery time is approximately two to four weeks. For vitrectomy, the recovery time is approximately four to six weeks.