What is a retinal tear?

A retinal tear is a small tear in the retina, the layer at the back of your eye responsible for vision. Think of this like a thin film at the back of the eye that is meant to be flat and intact. 

 

 

What causes retinal tears?

The most common cause of retinal tears is a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This occurs when the vitreous gel, a jelly-like substance that fills the inside of your eye, separates from the retina. This separation tugs on the retina, sometimes causing a tear.

The chance of retinal tears also increase with the following:

• Trauma to the eye or head (e.g. car accidents that involve sudden head movement)

• Being short-sighted (requiring glasses for distance vision) 

• Lattice degeneration (a weakening of the retina)

 

 

What are the symptoms of a retinal tear?

A sudden onset of floaters (tiny specks or spiderwebs that appear in your vision) is the most common symptom of a retinal tear. You may also experience:

• Flashes of light in one eye

• A sudden decrease in vision

• A curtain-like shadow over your field of vision

 

 

How are retinal tears diagnosed?

Retinal tears are diagnosed by an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist during a comprehensive eye exam. 

 

 

How are retinal tears treated?

The most common treatment for a retinal tear is laser retinopexy. Essentially, I use a special laser to seal off the tear and prevents this from progressing to a retinal detachment. 

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair a retinal tear (if the tear is too big or if laser alone not adequate to provide a good seal).