Retinal tear

Argon laser treatment of retinal tear

• INTRODUCTION
  Probable course with treatment: prevention of retinal detachment by local “welding” of the retina to the underlaying structures..
  Probable course without treatment: possible development of retinal detachment, which would need to be treated with surgery.

  No other effective treatments are known.

• TREATMENT
  

  

  The treatment is performed in a sitting position, the eye is desensitized with drops. By means of a so-called “argon laser”, green light is directed into the eye through a contact lens. The targeted light spots on the retina cause a desired scarring. The treatment is usually performed in several sessions. Laser treatment is a “light treatment”, not a radiation treatment. The attending physician determines the treatment and care plan after surgery.

• COMPLICATIONS
  Sometimes, minor bleeding occurs during laser treatment, but it resolves on its own. Laser treatment may be somewhat painful, but this varies greatly from patient to patient.

  Possible surgery-specific complications: very rarely, there is washout of connective tissue cells in the eye after laser treatment. These can form a thin membrane in front of the central retina, which can lead to a reduction in vision. In case of subjective impairment, this membrane can be surgically removed.