Retinal Tear Laser Surgery
Posted , 66 users are following.
I recently went to a retinal specialist because I was getting some flashes now and then and a lot of floaters and she told me I had a retinal tear that actually had tried to repair itself but said she would do the laser retinal repair surgery to prevent it from opening. The doctor acted as though it was very low risk and I went a long because I feared any vision loss and I didn't think there were common complications. Since the laser a few days ago I have this blank black/gray spot in my lower peripheral. Sometimes I see it more than others like in certain lighting or if I'm moving my head a lot. Sometimes it even just looks like a little light. I told the doctor about it and she says she thinks it's from the inflammation from the laser and should resolve but there might be a chance that the spot will remain but I'll only see it if I try to look for it and most people don't notice it. I notice everything however and I am only 24 and have good peripheral vision so it's a big deal for me. I was wondering if anyone had this experience and saw the spot and over time it disappeared. I saw a post in another forum that someone had the cyro procedure, saw what sounded similar to what I was seeing and it eventually disapeared. Any comments on experiences with this retinal tear laser would be helpful. Thank you.
1 like, 439 replies
julie76731 rose912910
Posted
My optician found that I had a torn retina and I had laser surgery the following day (5.9.17). Since then I have had a 'jelly' like floater right in my vision. One specialist send it would go and another said my brain would used to it...my brain has not got used to it yet!!
My concern is that in the last few days my eye has suddenly started aching and I have another annoying jelly floater. I am also getting more black spots every time I move about. Is this normal or should I be concerned?
doug75871 rose912910
Posted
I had laser surgery March 4, 2017 for retina tear and partial detachment. I have noticed over the months that my vision in eye with laser has become slightly worse and in addition, lights when driving and words on tv are streaming more in my lasered eye. Has anyone had a problem with this?
doug75871
Posted
Tripadvisor doug75871
Posted
Yes Doug.i had laser eye surgery 8years ago.had laser for retinal tear 3 years ago and then had a domestic accident with my eyes xmas 2015.since then halos
And starbursts around lights and ghosting watching tv..so maybe you've hit the nail on the head, it's possible that the laser for retinal surgery can cause issues around lights.its very annoying and then the floaters
doug75871 Tripadvisor
Posted
So it sounds like your laser surgery for tears has held up for 8 years...that is terrific. I always wondered if these laser fences can hold up a lifetime. I have gotten in a bad habit of reading blogs about detachments and how individuals keep needing reattachment surgeries bc of scar tissue. I am anxious over this and just don't want to ever get to this with the chance of going blind
conniegal Tripadvisor
Posted
Hi, Trip! It's been a while since I joined the conversation. I doubt you recall that a while ago I was told I had a retina tear and needed laser surgery right away. When the doctors described the symptoms I should be having on the one eye, I told him I was not having any of those symptoms. The only reason why I went to a retina specialist was because of some black floaters on the other eye. Well, those floaters went away by themselves. And after requesting that the retina doc monitor the eye with the tear, he obliged and asked me to check in with him in 3 months. So I just saw him at the end of the 3 months in September and he said the tear is healing on its own and asked me to come back in a year. Unless, of course, I start experiencing any of the symptoms.
I a thrilled not to have to go through such a surgery, especially after all the stories I've read on this forum which have not built up my confidence in such a procedure.
Having said that, I am extremely grateful that there are so many kind-hearted folks on this forum who share their experiences so that we can all get more informed, particularly from a patient's point of view.
Thank you!
hol1983 conniegal
Posted
Wow that's amazing, I have a whole and have refused the surgery so far and being monitored 6 monthly, I've not been told it's healing, but that it's not got any bigger. My retinal specialist said it would never heal so amazing news to hear this. I too feel uncertain about the surgery and feel humble by the stories all this brace people have shared.
Tripadvisor conniegal
Posted
Ditto, I havent been on here for ages, I replied to Doug there a couple of days ago but before then its been months. Thats terrific you dont have to have surgery, very lucky. Id say you just had a PVD? and no tear developed? In my case when PVD was happening it started tugging on the retina and after a certain amount of tugging it tore it. Pardon the pun, but keep an eye on things anyway, Connie, can never be careful enough with our eyes. Keep in touch
All the best for now
Trip
Tripadvisor doug75871
Posted
Hope this helps, Doug. I think we are all petrified with fear but one day at a time should be our mantra, easier said than done, I know
Trip.
lara71918 rose912910
Posted
I just had this laser surgery 8 days ago. At first I thought my vision was worse after having it done. I was seeing more flashes after the treatment then before.... I saw "green lights" in my peripheral (lower left) when when I closed my eyes in a dark room trying to sleep. Today (day 8) was better. I learned to look in the opposite direction as I'm trying to fall asleep... this helped me fall asleep quicker. I have been wearing sunglasses when I drive or go outdoors. I'm in Florida, lots of sunlight all year. In your post, you and others called it a retina "repair". My doctor said the tear itself cannot be fixed, but he could treat the surrounding area to try to keep it from getting worse or new tears. He said I have "lattice degeneration". Said my other eye also has it, but no tears there..... yet. I go back in 3 days to check the eye that was treated. Hoping it is getting better. Today was a little more encouraging... no headache... no flashing.... no floaters visible. Yay for today! My other question: did your doctor tell you anything to stop doing, etc. Mine didn't say anything or give me any literature for after treatment care or cautions. I turned down the brightness on my mobile phone and I am now keeping the lights on when I'm watching tv (like mom told me when I was a kid).... any other precautionary behavior I should stick to? I'm 50 and have worn contact lenses for 40 years! Scary to think I could lose my eyesight. Lastly, has anyone had their other eye treated before having a tear? Worried the treatment itself may actually cause a problem in that eye. Is the benefit worth the risk?
Jenifermadsen lara71918
Posted
hi i am new here and just saw this post today. I was just diagnosed a week ago with lattice degeneration in both eyes and they found a small retinal tear in my right eye which i was having mild clear like floaters and some flashes out sides. so this past Wednesday the retinal specialist did laser to repair the tear and she also treated the lattice areas in same eye to strengthen it all. I am also scheduled to have the lattice treated with laser in the other eye as a preventative in three weeks. Was wondering how your eyes are doing and how the treatment has been for you now after all this time since your post here...thx!
doug75871 rose912910
Posted
After laser surgery in March, like just about everyone I noticed a lot more floaters. Generally clusters of clear circles, some dark ones, some strands. All have been checked out and fine. Last couple of weeks I notice almost like a ghost like strand. IF I turn my head inside and my vision goes past a light or the Tv, I notice like a white cloud go by. When I look at computer screen or go outside it’s like a gray ghost strand that moves by quickly or like smoke...it’s odd. Eye doc dilated and looked at eye and said all was fine...basically had no answer to change. Ina addition, over past 7 months I’ve noticed vision in my right eye “lasered one” is weaker and I do worse with glare.
Anyone experience these types of floaters or vision decrease?
Thanks as always
michelle46048 doug75871
Posted
Hi Doug –
Yes I have the same ghostlike late in both my eyes. Both of been lasered. I had my first laser over 10 years ago and that ghost that I originally experience from that is nearly gone. But the guy that I just had lizard has a stronger ghost like illusion that I am hoping will fade. Floaters is a common side effect of the laser and as long as your doctor has determined that your retinas are stable shouldn't be concerning.
I will say that everyone on this thread has been able to maintain eyesight so even though there are symptoms that we are all living with I think that the positives of the surgery outweigh the negative's. Before this laser surgery people frequently last eyesight or had to go through very difficult surgeries. I also wonder if it is not a matter that doctors are not telling us all of the symptoms and side effects but rather they just don't know. I have seen several specialists and all have been surprised when I have described my side effects.
Michelle
doug75871 michelle46048
Posted
michelle46048 doug75871
Posted
That sounds similar but not exactly like what I see. I see a quick ghost like image across the top or bottom of my eye. Doesn't look like floaters and doesn't look like a flash of light. But it is like A bright white cloud that goes by quickly and then is gone.
doug75871 michelle46048
Posted
michelle46048 doug75871
Posted
Yes, nine are pretty constant. It mostly happens when I go from light to dark (though not always or every time). They've decreased over time.
doug75871 michelle46048
Posted
Mine bother me when I come indoors and I look at television or window or light I see that cloud/ghost move by. Bad glare as well
Thanks for sharing
brandon67040 michelle46048
Posted
My vision is way worse in the dark in the eye I had the laser surgery. Mine are also inconsistent and that's what worries me. I can't tell if I should be going back to the hospital or not. I have a black shadow in the corner of my eye and also have blurry flash vision as if my eye were swelled with tears. Is this normal three days after surgery?