Retinal Tear & Detachment

When patients notice new floaters and/or flashes in their vision it usually indicates that the vitreous gel has separated from the retina, a condition known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). In some cases of PVD, the vitreous can separate from the retina with enough force that it creates a tear in the retina. Retinal tears are treated with a barrier laser in order to prevent them from progressing to retinal detachments. 

A retinal tear can lead to a retinal detachment, which patients will notice as a progressive curtain, shadow, or shade covering all or a portion of their visual field. Retinal detachments usually need to be treated with relative urgency; depending on the extent of the retinal detachment, treatment may involve laser photocoagulation, pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy surgery, and/or scleral buckling surgery.