The retina is an essential layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye and converts light into an electrical signal, which is sent to the brain via the optic nerve. It is often referred to as the “film of the eye” and detachment of the retina can lead to permanent blindness if not treated urgently. Retinal tears are the most frequent cause of retinal detachment.
Retinal tears cause sudden flashes of light and a new onset of floaters. If untreated, a retinal tear may progress to a retinal detachment, which appears as a dark curtain blocking your vision. Retinal tears are treated with laser surgery in the office.
If the tear progresses to a retina detachment, pars plana vitrectomy is the most common surgery performed.
Pars plana vitrectomy is a surgery done through 3 small incisions in the sclera, whereby the vitreous humor is accessed and the vitreoretinal traction is released. The retina is reattached, retinal tears are surrounded with laser to induce a scar-like seal, and a vitreous substitute, usually gas, is placed into the vitreous cavity. This gas keeps the retina attached by limiting the flow of fluid under the retinal breaks while the laser scarring forms. The patent will be required to position in a manner that best achieves this in the early postoperative period.
Dr. Gloth is a gifted retinal surgeon who has performed many lasers for tears as well as many types of retinal detachment repairs.