Unsure what to expect after retinal tear surgery? Let’s walk through the basics.
The retina is an essential part of the eye. Its primary responsibility is to convert light into electrical signals that the brain can process as images – a key function with a lot of potential consequences if things go awry.
If you’re diagnosed with a retinal tear, that means that there is a hole or break in the retina. These can occur due to trauma, injury, being nearsighted, and/or age, and should be treated promptly in order to prevent retinal detachment and possible loss of vision.
Retinal laser therapy, also known as retinal laser photocoagulation, is a common and effective method for treating retinal tears. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure requires minimal downtime and is successful at least 90% of the time in sealing tears and preventing long-term vision issues.
Read on for a quick guide to retinal tear laser treatment recovery, and get in touch if you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation with a Mid Atlantic Retina specialist.
In retinal laser photocoagulation, doctors use precise lasers to create tiny burns or scars around a retinal tear. These laser marks seal the tear in order to prevent it from progressing to a retinal detachment.
Along with retinal tears, laser photocoagulation is also used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. Your retina specialist will evaluate your condition to determine whether you are a good candidate for retinal laser therapy, and if so, discuss the specific benefits and risks of this popular retinal tear treatment method.
When it comes to your retinal health, you always want to act as quickly as possible.
An early intervention for retinal tears is usually effective at preventing detachment, which is one of the most serious side effects of retinal tears and has a near 100% chance of blindness if left untreated. The earlier you can meet with a specialist and have laser therapy performed, the greater your chances of a positive outcome.
If you notice any of the signs of retinal tears – including floaters, blurry vision, flashes of light, shadows, or peripheral vision loss – make an appointment with a retina specialist right away.
Retinal photocoagulation is typically done in-office, and generally takes no longer than 30 minutes from start to finish.
To perform the procedure, your doctor will apply a local or topical anesthetic to numb the eye and dilate the pupil. In some cases, they may also place a special contact lens on your eye to help focus the laser.
Once you’re comfortable, a laser will be carefully applied to the eye, targeting the edges of the tear to create a strong adhesion which will drastically lower the risk of the retina detaching. Your body’s natural healing process will take care of the rest – a process that usually takes a few weeks.
Immediately after retinal laser therapy, you’ll probably have some short-term side effects like blurry vision, light sensitivity, and swelling or redness around the eye. You may also feel some slight discomfort as the anesthetic wears off; however, this is mild and can usually be treated with artificial tears or over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
Your doctor will discuss post-operative instructions and how to ensure a speedy and productive recovery.
Failing to follow post-operative instructions after retinal tear laser treatment or missing follow up appointments could result in the retina detaching if the original tear(s) break through the laser or new tears develop without being detected in a timely manner.
Laser therapy is incredibly effective at treating retinal tears and is successful in almost all cases. Schedule an appointment to discuss this and other advanced retinal procedures, and protect your vision now and in the future with regular eye exams and prompt treatment for tears or other retinal conditions.
Dr Brett Foxman, Dr Scott Foxman, Dr Thomas Margolis and Dr Daniel Connors will continue to treat patients at the Northfield, Vineland and Cape May Court House locations.
