Retinal Tear Specialist

What is a retinal tear?

Your retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye that is responsible for transmitting visual information to your brain and is a crucial component to your sight. 

A retinal tear is a condition in which the thin layer of retina tissue in the back of your eye separates from the blood vessels that it’s attached to. The longer your retina is torn, the longer it isn’t receiving a fresh supply of blood and oxygen, which can lead to permanent vision loss. 

What are the symptoms of a retinal tear?

A torn retina is often painless, and only an eye exam can detect it. However, if you suffer a blow to your eye or the surrounding area, you may experience the following symptoms that indicate a retinal tear.

• Sudden appearance of floaters
• Flashes of light
• Blurry vision
• Gradual decrease in your peripheral vision
• Shadows over your visual field

Retinal tears are medical emergencies, and if you notice any of these signs, get help at Retina Specialists right away.

How do you treat retinal tears?

If you suffer an injury or notice the signs of a retinal tear, your ophthalmologist at Retina Specialists examines the back of your eyes and retinas using a bright light and special lenses. 

They may also suggest ultrasound imaging if you have blood in your eye that’s making it hard to examine the retina.

Surgery is the most common treatment for this condition, and at Retina Specialists, the expert team of surgeons can use several methods to repair a torn retina, such as:

Laser surgery (photocoagulation)

Your surgeon uses a directed laser beam to burn areas around the tear. This causes scarring which naturally relinks the retina and underlying tissue.

Cryopexy (freezing treatment)

Another option for treating a retinal tear is cryotherapy. Your surgeon applies a freezing medical device to the outer surface of your eye over the tear, which causes scarring and helps reattach your retina to the back wall of blood vessels.

Retinal tears put you at a higher risk of developing them again, so it’s important to closely monitor them even after healing is complete.

Not all retinal tears are emergencies, and some low-risk tears can heal by themselves. However, you can only confirm this with a professional examination, so if you have symptoms of a retinal tear, call Retina Specialists or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.