If retinal tears are left untreated, then there is a very high risk of developing retinal detachment. The retina can become detached because fluid from inside the eye is able to enter the tear, causing the retina to lift off from the underlying tissue below. To prevent this from happening, the doctor will seal the retina around the tear by placing laser spots around the hole, which then forms scar tissue acting like a barrier to prevent the retina from detaching. This procedure is called a laser retinopexy. It usually takes about 14 days for the scar tissue to develop.
You will be given drops to dilate your pupil after the doctor has explained the procedure to you. There are two ways which the laser may be performed, depending on the location of the tears in the retina.
In both techniques, the doctor surrounds the hole/weak spot with laser. It is important that you keep your head still throughout the procedure. You will see a series of bright flashes.
The laser treatment itself can be associated with “stabbing”, “sharp”, and “aching” pains. Very occasionally, there can be a feeling of an “electric shocklike” feeling during the laser treatment.
Although these sensations can be worrying, they do not indicate any adverse effects inside the eye related to the laser treatment. Depending on the amount of laser performed, you may also experience a headache after the procedure. Laser treatment with the use of a contact lens can occasionally cause redness of the tissues that cover the eyeball. This settles without any treatment within five days. If we have to “indent” or press on your eye-ball the eye-ball using a small instrument then this can cause redness of the tissues
that cover the eyeball, but this also settles without any treatment within five days.
Since no incisions are made to the eye, there is no risk of infection inside the eye. Some patients experience a slight irritation after the procedure from the lens being placed on the eye; however, this usually recedes quickly. As stated before, it is important that you do not move during the procedure. If you do, there is a possibility that the laser will affect a portion of your vision that it was not intended to (i.e. your central vision).
There is also a very small possibility that the laser retinopexy does not completely seal the tear. Even after laser retinopexy, a retinal detachment can still form, though the possibility of one is greatly reduced with treatment.
Immediately after the laser your vision will be dazzled as a result of the bright lights. Your vision will be misty for a few hours and should return to normal by the next day. You should not drive on the day of your laser. It is important to remember that laser retinopexy will not “get rid” of any pre-existing symptoms such as floaters that you experienced before your treatment. Sometimes the floaters may increase immediately after the treatment, but these will settle after a few days. There may be light sensitivity and glare outside.
Yes, you will be reviewed in the outpatient clinic approximately two weeks after your laser treatment to check that the laser has worked.
Laser retinopexy considerably reduces the risk of retinal detachment but it can still occur despite laser retinopexy. You should seek help immediately if you notice:
This includes an initial consultation and a visual acuity assessment.
If further outpatient tests and investigations are required, they will be charged at an additional rate. The most commonly required test is an OCT scan. Your consultant will discuss this with you at your consultation.
The cost of onward treatment will be provided after initial consultation, based on your personalised treatment plan.
Find out more about the symptoms and causes of retinal tear
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