A retinal tear is a potentially serious eye condition that needs to be addressed quickly. If untreated, it can progress to become a retinal detachment, resulting in severe vision loss. Fortunately, there are a number of possible treatment options available, with laser treatment being the most common. Other options include cryotherapy, which involves freezing part of the retina, and even surgery in some specific cases.
Laser retinopexy, as it is called, treats the retinal tear by creating a scar around the tear. The purpose is to create a barrier around the tear to prevent fluid from going through the tear, under the retina, resulting in a retinal detachment. In this short article, we hope to give patients an idea of what to expect after the laser.
Side Effects of Laser Treatment for Retinal Tear
Laser retinopexy is a very safe procedure. It is non-invasive, and done in at a laser machine under local anaesthesia with eyedrops. After the procedure, they are able to go home and rest and use the eyes normally. Most patients tolerate the procedure with little to no issues, but as with all procedures, there are some things to expect.
For example, during the laser retinopexy, while most patients remain comfortable, some patients may feel slight discomfort as the laser shots hit the retina. Also, as they are staring into a light for a few minutes, they would expect their vision to be slightly blurry after the procedure, but this is usually temporary. Other rarer risks will always be discussed with the patient during the consult.
That being said, it is important to stay in touch with your ophthalmologist and communicate with them regularly about your progress, especially during follow-up. For instance, if you notice that the side effects are worsening over time, you should contact your doctor immediately.
In particular, look out for the following symptoms. These are reasons to reach out to your eye doctor as soon as possible:
- A black veil over your vision
- Increased floaters in your vision
- Flashes of light
- A significant decline in your vision’s quality
See an eye doctor today about retinal tear treatment and recovery
The best way to understand retinal tear treatment and recovery is still to consult your eye doctor, as the treatment expectations and recovery plan for each person may vary slightly. Nonetheless, this article should have already given you an idea of what to expect in the post-operative period.
If you want to learn more about what to expect from retinal tear treatment, reach out to us at Shinagawa Eye Centre. Not only can we assess you for retinal tears (as well as other eye conditions), but we can also explain your options in person.
Call us to enquire or book an appointment to get assessed for retinal tears today.
