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Retinal Tear Laser Surgery

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rose912910
rose912910

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.

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  • doug75871
    doug75871 rose912910

    Posted

    Is here a general time frame that PVD lasts?  I’m 42 have had laser surgery for partial detachment.  This may be a stupid question but does PVD lead to detachments?
    • ann21178
      ann21178 doug75871

      Posted

      Hi Doug my understanding that a PVD is a normal occurrence as we age but when it does not come away clean and pulls the retina this can cause a tear or worst case scenario a detachment. Also short sighted people are more likely to experience tears when this happens due to the shape of the eye. I guess I can live with the floaters and “smear” in my vision but I’m stressed that it will happen again 
    • doug75871
      doug75871 ann21178

      Posted

      I wasn’t sure if it was a certainty you get tears.  Sounds like your risk is just greater 
    • TiffanyNOLA
      TiffanyNOLA doug75871

      Posted

      Once PVD is complete it is permanent. That being said, PVD can take 6 weeks or years, or it may never complete. It depends on the person. PVD tugs on the retina and if you have areas of abnormal adhesion or disease of the retina (such as lattice degeneration like I have) you may develop retinal tear or hole which can progress to a retinal detachment. That's why they say in the first six weeks of the start of a PVD to be careful to not do any strenuous activity and immediately call or go to the opthalmologist if you have a sudden increase in flashes or floaters.

    • doug75871
      doug75871 TiffanyNOLA

      Posted

      Tiffany

      This may sound silly but how do you know when your having a PVD?

    • doug75871
      doug75871 TiffanyNOLA

      Posted

      What happens after PVD?  Is everything normal? Sorry for these questions 
    • TiffanyNOLA
      TiffanyNOLA doug75871

      Posted

      Some people experience floaters and flashes when a PVD is occuring. Personally, I started with floaters then flashes. Retina doctor found the lattice and confirmed that my Vitreous was tugging on my retina. I've been to multiple retina Specialists, they mainly conducted OCT, buy also "colors" test on a machine which confirmed my Vitreous is liquid. Another retina specialist that I went to performed an ultrasound on my eyes and confirmed that I have a partial PVD in my left eye. My main concern is that my Vitreous is strongly attached but is liquefication which is strongly pulling on my retina. Usually with age the attachment loosens which allows for an uneventful PVD.After a PVD, you should retain great vision but the anatomy of the eye remains changed because the Vitreous cannot reattach to the retina. PVD can cause glare due to light scatter, I am experiencing this. Generally once PVD is complete your risk of retinal detachment is much lower after the first 6 weeks.

  • JoniHNJ
    JoniHNJ rose912910

    Posted

    Hi. Had laser surgery a week ago to repair retinal tear. The white of my eye is blood red and looks hideous. I don't want to go to work looking like this. Can anyone tell me how long it might take for the bloodshot appearance to subside?

    • TiffanyNOLA
      TiffanyNOLA JoniHNJ

      Posted

      Is your eye dry? Have you gone back to the opthalmologist or retinal specialist since your laser? I haven't heard of this being a common side effect and they may need to investigate. Have you tried artificial tears?

    • Florida_Mike
      Florida_Mike JoniHNJ

      Posted

      I would go back in.   I had a little swelling and my check has been a little sensitive to touch, but not real bloodshot.   Go back in tomorrow for my following.   (surgery was 10 days ago).   Hoping to not need more surgery.   Definitely have more floaters, but not always prevalent.   Primarily in bright lighting.    Vision in the eye the surgery was is definitely worse, but is what it is I guess.    Good luck!
    • TiffanyNOLA
      TiffanyNOLA Florida_Mike

      Posted

      Your vision will improve over time in the eye that had the laser, I'm sure. I still have some decreased vision in my lasered eye but it is definitely better than it was.

    • Florida_Mike
      Florida_Mike ann21178

      Posted

      Ann, I got a clean bill of health from my retnalogist.   I was so stressed when I went in, but after examination he said I could return to all activities.    Still have 1 floater I see all the time and today I golfed for first time since he cleared me.   In bright light see lots of floaters but think it will improve in time.    Vision definitely improving.   
    • ann21178
      ann21178 Florida_Mike

      Posted

      Yay 👍😀 so pleased for you Mike great news. Take are of yourself and I hope the floaters become less noticeable for you. 

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