Question 1

how does a tear in the retina occur?

Accepted Answer

Myopia primary cause: Most commonly due to myopia where the eyeball is longer than usual and stretches the retina until it tears.  Can also occur due to a consequence of surgery or diseased blood vessels in the retina (diabetes) which pulls the retina.  The least common cause is injury.

Question 2

can you tell me about experiencing a retina tear?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Most people with a retinal tear will experience new floaters and flashes in their vision.  A few retinal tear patients will be asymptomatic.  Retinal tears have a high risk of progressing to a retinal detachment,  a much more serous eye problem.

Question 3

i'm curious as to what happens if a hole forms in your retina or you have a tear?

Accepted Answer

Retinal detachment : Due to a hole or "rhegmatogenous rd" can happen spontaneously when the vitreous separates from the retina.  This can occur as a result of natural aging in the vitreous.  Other causes of retinal holes include trauma and lattice degeneration.  Without treatment a retinal detachment will likely lead to loss of vision.

Question 4

are there any types of massages you should not get if you have a repaired retina tear?

Accepted Answer

After retinal tear: repair, an individual should usually be able to resume normal activity once cleared by your retina surgeon. Retinal tears are usually repaired by either laser, cryotherapy, pneumatically or through surgical intervention. It is best not to place undue pressure on the eye itself. Most importantly, your retina specialist will let you know once it is healed and normal activity can resume.

Question 5

tear in retina - is central vision affected at all?

Accepted Answer

Variable side vision: Vitreous separation and vitreous hemorrhage occur with retinal tears-causing vitreous floaters, and floaters in your vision.  This can also result in hazy general vision.  The laser procedure helps to prevent the tear from progressing to a retinal detachment; however it does not resolve the vitreous floaters.  The vitreous floaters can takes weeks to months to improve.

Question 6

what do i do about a tear in my retina - central vision?

Accepted Answer

Have evaluation: If there is a tear in the retina, there is a risk of developing a retinal detachment.  The tear should be treated.  If the central vision is affected with a hole in the retina, than that might be a condition called macular hole which is fixed with a vitrectomy surgery.  The first step is to see an eye care professional to get the correct diagnosis and hopefully appropriate recommendations.

Question 7

how can i prevent retina thinning & tears?

Accepted Answer

You can't: Lattice degeneration is a thinning of the peripheral retina from the vitreous gel "pulling" on the retina with a distinctive whitening of the retinal blood vessels.  This forms an oval or round patch of "lattice" white blood vessels and a thinned retina.  Lattice can be associated with round retinal holes from the thinning and retinal tears at the edge-this can result in retinal detachment.

Question 8

docs, could a tear in the retina be fixed by surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The type of surgery involved depends on multiple factors. Retinal tears without detachment can be treated with laser surgery. A retinal detachment is more involved and can require more traditional types of surgery. Your retina doctor will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Question 9

i'm going to get laser for a small tear in my retina. how long after that can i start doing intense and heavy workouts?

Accepted Answer

Immediately: No reasons why not although many docs will advise against, however, your eyes develop significant forces internally when sleeping.

Every night we all go through rem (rapid eye movement) sleep.  The eyes move back and forth rapidly generating tremendous forces within the vitreous.

This is my rationale with my own patients, your doc may disagree.

Question 10

worried about retina thinning & tears. what kind of doctor specializes in treating this?

Accepted Answer

Retinal specialist: Look under "diseases of the retina and vitreous" online or (old school) yellow pages, or ask your current eye doctor who he/she would recommend.

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Doctor answers about:

What is a retina tear

A member asked:

How does a tear in the retina occur?

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Can you tell me about experiencing a retina tear?

A member asked:

I'm curious as to what happens if a hole forms in your retina or you have a tear?

A member asked:

Are there any types of massages you should not get if you have a repaired retina tear?

A member asked:

Tear in retina - is central vision affected at all?

A member asked:

What do i do about a tear in my retina - central vision?

A member asked:

How can i prevent retina thinning & tears?

A member asked:

Docs, could a tear in the retina be fixed by surgery?

A member asked:

I'm going to get laser for a small tear in my retina. how long after that can i start doing intense and heavy workouts?

A member asked:

Worried about retina thinning & tears. what kind of doctor specializes in treating this?

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