Laser Treatment for Retinal Tears: Quick, Safe, and Effective
Sudden vision changes can feel frightening but sometimes, they’re more than just floaters or fatigue. If you’ve recently noticed flashes of light, a sudden burst of floaters or a curtain-like shadow creeping into your vision, you may be experiencing a retinal tear, a condition that demands immediate attention.
Retinal tears are small breaks in the thin, light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. While they might sound minor, these tears can quickly progress to a retinal detachment, which can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
Retinal tears occur when the vitreous gel (the clear substance that fills the eye) pulls away from the retina with too much force. This risk increases with:
- Aging (especially over age 50)
- High myopia (nearsightedness)
- Trauma or eye injury
- Family history of retinal issues
- Past eye surgeries or retinal conditions
Because retinal tissue is extremely delicate, even a small tear can allow fluid to seep underneath, lifting the retina from its base, setting the stage for detachment.
While a retinal tear itself isn’t painful, the visual symptoms are often unmistakable. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to call your ophthalmologist:
- Sudden increase in floaters
- Bright, brief flashes of light, especially side vision
- A gray curtain or shadow drifting over part of your vision
- Wavy or distorted vision that appears out of nowhere
Don’t wait for these symptoms to go away; they won’t. Left untreated, a retinal tear can become a true emergency.
Laser photocoagulation is a quick, outpatient treatment that often takes just minutes to perform. Using a focused beam of light, your ophthalmologist creates a ring of tiny laser burns around the tear. These burns form scar tissue that seals the retina to the underlying tissue, preventing fluid from passing through and triggering a detachment.
Laser treatment for retinal tears is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that requires no incisions or stitches. Performed under topical anesthesia, it is typically quick and well-tolerated. The success rate is high, with most patients experiencing minimal recovery time and returning to normal activities within 24 hours. In many cases, laser photocoagulation is all that’s needed to preserve vision and prevent the need for more invasive retinal surgery.
If a retinal tear has already progressed to detachment or involves bleeding or scarring, more advanced procedures—like cryopexy, scleral buckling or vitrectomy—may be necessary. Your ophthalmologist will determine the best course of action based on the tear’s location, size and severity.
Retinal tears won’t heal on their own. And because the retina can’t regenerate, early intervention is the only way to prevent irreversible vision loss. If you’re experiencing unusual vision symptoms or have risk factors for retinal issues, schedule a retinal evaluation today.
Contact Associated Retina Consultants at 602-242-4928 or visit WEBSITE to protect your sight and preserve your future vision.