Retinal Tears and Detachments
Tears in the retina can lead to retinal detachments that can cause vision loss. Depending on what we find in your eyes on examination, we may choose to observe or treat. Preventive laser treatment can help you avoid surgery and seal any tears in your eye. However, surgical interventions are necessary once the retina has detached.
What are the symptoms of a retinal tear or detachment?
Flashes of light as if someone is taking your picture
Many new floaters all at once
A curtain or shadow over your vision
Retinal Tears
Tears in the retina can lead to detachments that can cause vision loss. Preventive laser treatment around tears that have not lead to detachmnents yet can help you avoid surgery. After laser barricade, we will follow you closely to ensure new tears do not develop and detachments do not occur.
Retinal Detachments
Surgical interventions are often necessary once the retina has detached. Options in treatment include a vitrectomy, where we remove the fluid under the retina that caused it to detach and seal the breaks from inside the eye, and/or scleral buckles, where we use specialized silicone bands outside the eye in order to support breaks and seal them to treat your detachment and re-attach the retina. We may need to use a special gas that will mean you cannot fly or go to high elevations for several weeks, or may need to use a specialized silicone based oil during your surgery. We will work together with you to formulate the optimal treatment plan for your eye and lifestyle.