Retinal tear 

Retinal tear is a condition that must be treated immediately by a specialist ophthalmologist. This is a tear in the retina, which is a light-sensitive tissue (like photographic film) inside the eye. This crack is very dangerous as it can cause retinal detachment, a condition that leads to blindness.

Figure 1.- OCT of retinal tear with hemorrhage.

What are the symptoms of retinal tear?

Symptoms are usually flashes and many flies as if seeing through a fog. The most dangerous symptom is when we have a deficit in our visual field like a curtain. Then usually the crack has caused a retinal detachment.

If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your specialist ophthalmologist immediately. Until you undergo a fundoscopy check it is important to stay calm, avoid heavy lifting, sudden movements and bending over.

What are the predisposing factors that cause a retinal tear?

Predisposing factors are mainly high myopia and age over 50 years. It is usually due to traction on the vitreous during vitreous detachment.

How is a retinal tear treated?

The crack must be immediately entrenched using Argon Laser photocoagulation.

In our clinic you will find Argon laser from the company Lumenis which has the upgraded Laser application with the indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO) method. This is the most painless and modern method where the patient now lying on an examination chair is subjected to treatment without the use of a lens that comes into contact with the eye. The treatment is done only with anesthetic drops and the entrenchment is done up to the extreme circumference with the help of scleral pressure when needed.

Figure 2.- OCT of the same crack 1 week after Argon Laser photocoagulation

What to expect after Argon Laser photocoagulation?

The eye may be irritated and red for a few days after the Laser. Recovery is very quick and the patient can return to work the next day with mild restrictions such as avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous activity.

The clinic of the specialized ophthalmologist surgeon Georgios Trichonas is fully equipped with diagnostics state-of-the-art machinery. It has all the necessary equipment for a complete and thorough ophthalmological examination and at the same time for the performance of all modern Lasers.