Retinal tears, also known as a retinal detachment, occur when the retina or thin tissue at the back of the eye begins to tear away from its normal position. Retinal tears can be a very serious condition that can impact your vision, so if you are experiencing any symptoms associated with a torn retina, contact our offices as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a Retinal Tear
A torn retina will not cause any pain, but will affect your vision in one of the following ways:
- The appearance of floaters, especially if very sudden and more than one
- Reduced peripheral vision
- Flashes of light in one or both eyes
- Blurred vision
- Appearance of shadows in your visual field
Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may be linked to another condition, but also may be due to a torn retina. It’s important to schedule an eye exam to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Retinal Tear Treatment
There are two methods to treat retinal tears by creating scar tissue around the tear to prevent fluid from entering through the tear.
Laser Photocoagulation: A laser is used to create scar tissue to fuse the retina to the surrounding tissue.
Cryopexy: Combined with local anesthetic, the doctor will apply a freezing probe to the outer eye over the tear to secure the retina to the surrounding tissue.
