Having good vision allows you to see your loved ones’ faces and enjoy beautiful views when you spend time outdoors. Experiencing a health condition that affects your vision can be frightening, especially when it comes on suddenly. While some eye health issues are preventable, others can appear without warning. Having a suspected retinal tear checked out and treated by an eye specialist is critical for preserving your vision. When you visit your eye doctor for a retinal tear, you can generally expect them to suggest one of several options based upon your needs.

How Do You Know If You Have a Retinal Tear?

Retinal tears aren’t typically painful. Instead, the most commonly reported symptom is a sudden appearance of floaters. After the tear occurs, it might look a bit like someone shook pepper in your line of vision, or you might notice flashes of light. If the tear progresses to a detachment, then you might experience blurriness or see shadows along your peripheral vision.

How Does Laser Surgery Work?

Laser surgery is the most common treatment for retinal tears. During vitreoretinal surgery, your eye doctor will use a laser to heat the area around the tear, which causes it to develop a small scar that holds the tissue together. This also helps to prevent fluid from making its way to below the retina where it could contribute to a detachment. During the procedure, you might see the flashing light of the laser as your eye care specialist repairs the tear. However, they’ll use numbing drops to keep you from feeling any discomfort.

What Does a Freeze Treatment Involve?

Cryotherapy works in a similar way as laser surgery, except this procedure uses extremely cold temperatures to stimulate the development of scar tissue. If you undergo cryotherapy, then you may experience some cold sensations as your eye care provider works on your eye. Although cryotherapy has similar rates of success compared to laser treatment, this option is usually provided when the location of the tear is difficult to reach with the light beam.

What Is the Prognosis for Retinal Tears?

Most small tears have a good prognosis when you receive care in a timely manner. After your retinal tear procedure, you’ll be able to go home the same day where you’ll be encouraged to rest. While your tear heals, you’ll need to avoid increasing pressure in your eye. Your doctor may recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and bending over at the waist for several weeks. Although it could take several weeks to months, you should find that your vision returns to a level that is either the same or close to what you could see before the injury occurred.

Retinal surgery today is low risk when you work with the top specialists in NY that also value using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest techniques. While you will need to follow a few after-care recommendations, it won’t be long until you begin to heal. As a final note, remember that prompt care is essential for preventing a tear from becoming a detachment. Always reach out for an appointment with your eye care provider at the first sign that something is wrong with your vision.