Retinal Damage and Eye Surgery

The retina is a crucial part of your eye. When it is detached or has a tear, you could risk permanent vision loss. Fortunately, eye surgery can help with retinal tears and detachments. Continue reading to learn more about retinal tears and detachments and eye surgery.

What Is a Torn or Detached Retina?

The retina is a collection of thin, light-sensitive receptors at the back of your eye. A torn retina is when a small portion of the retina tears off. A detached retina is a name for when a larger section of the retina peels away. Fortunately, for most people, the condition is rare. People with a family history or eye injury are at the highest risk.

What Are the Symptoms of Retinal Damage?

Many people don't experience symptoms or only notice small changes, especially if the condition is minor or comes on slowly. People with sudden tears or detachment may experience an immediate increase in floaters in one or both eyes. These are the small flecks of retinal material floating in your eyes' viscous fluid. You may also notice problems with your peripheral vision.

What Causes Retinal Damage?

The causes of retinal detachment and tearing vary. Age is a huge factor. The vitreous, or fluid in your inner eye, shrinks over time. When it shrinks, some of it can stick to the retina and cause a tear. When you have a tear, fluid can build up behind it and cause detachment. However, other factors like diabetes and blood vessel damage can also cause retinal damage.

What Surgical Techniques Repair Retinal Damage?

If you only have a tear, an ophthalmologist can often repair the tear from outside the eye. They can use a laser through the pupil to create scar tissue that stops the tear from getting worse. Or, they can use cryotherapy to cause a scar that keeps fluid from getting underneath the tear.

If you have a detached retina, you may need more invasive surgery. Often, these surgeries involve removing some or all of the vitreous. The surgeon replaces that material with a gas or oil to push back the retina. Another technique is to create a scleral band around the eye to hold the retina in place as it heals.

A retinal tear or detachment is a serious issue and needs immediate attention. While not all cases need eye surgery, your ophthalmologist and optometrist will still need to monitor your eyes. When you visit your eye doctor for an exam, make sure they check your retina's condition. Usually, dilation or a fundus test can detect retinal tears and detachment before you notice any symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you need an exam or a referral to an eye surgeon.