Retinal Tear

Retinal tears can cause vision loss and decreased blood flow to your eye, which can lead to permanent damage if you don’t get treatment right away. If you suffered from an eye injury or are noticing vision loss, contact Atlantic Retina Consultants, with convenient locations in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Rockledge, Florida, as soon as possible. With state-of-the-art on-site diagnostic testing available, Hetal Vaishnav, MD, Gary Ganiban, MD, and their team can get to the root of your retinal condition quickly and counsel you about treatment options. Book your retinal tear exam by phone or request an appointment online today. 

What causes a retinal tear?

A retinal tear or retinal detachment occurs when your retina — the thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye — rips or pulls away from its normal position. Damage to your retina is extremely concerning because the tear disrupts blood flow, meaning surrounding eye tissues aren’t getting vital nutrients and oxygen. 

Your risk of suffering from a retinal detachment increases as you get older, particularly over age 50. However, you can also suffer from this serious eye issue due to:

• Eye trauma or injury
• History of retinal tears or detachment
• Eye strain due to extreme nearsightedness

It’s also possible to develop a retinal tear or detachment because of inherited traits, such as a sticky vitreous. This can cause the inner gel-like fluid of your rear eye to pull and separate from your retina. 

How do I know if I have a retinal tear?

When you come to Atlantic Retina Consultants for your retinal tear evaluation, your provider may use scleral depression or a three-mirror lens to diagnose your condition. They also need to know about all of the symptoms you’re experiencing. 

One of the most common signs of a retinal tear is a sudden onset of unusual floaters that may appear as black spots. It may seem as though someone is shaking pepper in your field of vision. Depending on the severity of your retinal tear and whether or not your retina is detached, you may also experience:

• Blurred vision
• Flashes of light 
• Poor peripheral vision 
• Shadows, as if a curtain is being drawn over your eyes

Minor retinal tears may not cause any noticeable symptoms, which is why routine eye exams are so important. Early intervention is key to preventing vision loss. 

What is the treatment for a retinal tear?

Once your dedicated provider at Atlantic Retina Consultants diagnoses your retinal tear, they counsel you about which treatments you may need. Minor tears may require no medical intervention since they can sometimes develop adhesions on their own and fully heal.

For more severe retinal tears, your ophthalmologist could recommend laser surgery or freezing therapy (cryotherapy). These in-office procedures involve numbing your eye and welding the edges of the tear so it doesn’t progress. While highly effective, retinal tear eye surgery does require ongoing monitoring to prevent future tears or detachments.  

Atlantic Retina Consultants provides comprehensive medical care for retinal tears. Call the office or request an appointment online today.