Our eyes are an amazing, sensitive, powerful system that needs to be protected. According to the LASIK experts in Los Angeles like those of Excel laser Vision Institute, there are certain eye conditions that people should always look out for. Whenever noticing something different with vision, it is important to consult your eye doctor and determine the severity of the issue. Retinal tears, for instance, pose a serious threat to eye health and visual acuity.
Doctor Moosa, one of the best LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles, describe the retina as a lining of tissue on the back of the eye that is very sensitive to light. This thin layer is made up of cells that translate light waves to electrical impulses which go to the brain. When light hits the retina, it travels through the optic nerve to the brain, where the images can be processed. The retina can be torn in many different circumstances: from an injury, from age, or nearsightedness. This tearing of the retina occurs when vitreous gel fills the eyeball and pulls at the retina, causing it to separate from the inner wall. Retina tears can then become retinal detachment, which can ultimately lead to vision loss if it is not properly treated.
LASIK surgeons in Los Angeles are trained to avoid any retinal tearing during refractive surgery. However, there are cases in which other forms of eye surgery may result in some injury to the retina. Here are some of the signs of retinal tearing to look out for:
- Hazy vision
- Flashing lights
- Floaters, specks, dots, or cobwebs
- Vision loss
- Shadows or dark spots
Retinal tears can be treated on a case by case basis. Depending on the size and the severity of the injury, it may require different procedures. Smaller tears that do not affect central vision may be repaired with a retinal laser in a procedure known as laser photocoagulation. According to LASIK professionals in Los Angeles, laser technology has allowed for much improvement in eye care over the years, including this retinal procedure as well as refractive surgeries like LASIK, SMILE, and PRK surgery.
A more extreme treatment for retinal detachment is called vitrectomy. This surgery removes the vitreous gel and replaces the retina on the eyewall with a laser. Then, a gas bubble is placed in the eye to hold the retina still while it heals. Over time, the gas becomes absorbed by the eye and is replaced with a natural fluid. The full healing process can take several months and patients must avoid high altitudes. Patients who receive a vitrectomy may require cataract surgery in the future or another kind of eye surgery to restore vision.
Eye experts know that no two retinal tears are the same. That’s why it’s so hard to predict the exact timeframe of the healing process. Fortunately, many patients are able to recover most of their vision if they have the procedure done in a timely manner. If you are experiencing any of the signs of retinal tears or detachment, then please contact your eye doctor as soon as possible.
