Retinal Tear Prevention – Part Two

A retinal tear cannot be prevented but having routine eye exams will allow your doctor to look for signs of the condition. Although retinal tears are unavoidable, there are factors you can be aware of:

Aging: As the eyes undergo the natural aging process, the liquid jelly-like material which fills the inner eye’s inner cavity begins to deteriorate and shift. This type of movement makes aging eyes more prone to retinal tears.

Eye Injuries: Some eye injuries can damage the retina and cause tears. You can reduce your risk of these types of injuries by:

• Wearing safety glasses when you use a hammer or saw, work with power tools or yard tools such as weed eaters and lawn mowers, or do any activity that might result in small objects flying into your eye.
• Wearing special sports glasses or goggles during boxing, racquetball, soccer and other sports in which you might receive a blow to the eye.
• Use appropriate safety measures when using fireworks or firearms.

Diabetes: This disease puts patients at greater risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to retinal tears or detachment. If you have diabetes, you can help control and prevent eye problems by having regular eye exams and by keeping your blood sugar levels within a target range.

Individuals who are nearsighted, have had cataract surgery or have experienced a blow to the head or eye are at an increased risk for developing a retinal tear or detachment. As well, patients who have had a tear in one eye have a one in ten chance of getting a tear in the other.

If your retina is only torn, prompt treatment may prevent detachment. Your doctor can discuss the various methods of repair and suggest the best treatment based on the severity of the tear or detachment. Contact Associated Retina Consultants immediately at 602-242-4928 or associatedretinaconsultants.com if you have concerns about retinal tears or would like more information regarding retinal tear prevention.