Retinal Tear

What is a retinal tear?

A retinal tear or break happens when the gel-like vitreous in your eye pulls on your retina and causes a split. Your retina is a thin layer of tissue that’s sensitive to light found at the back of your eye.

A retinal tear isn’t the same as a retinal detachment. A retinal tear could lead to a retinal detachment if the tear isn’t treated. A retinal detachment happens when the retina pulls away from the tissues that support it.

You can also develop a hole in your retina when your retina gets thinner. Retinal holes are less likely to lead to retinal detachment.

Retinal tears and any injury that damages your retina threatens your eyesight and is a medical emergency. Contact your eye care provider as soon as you have retinal tear symptoms or any type of eye injury.

What are the symptoms of a retinal tear?

Symptoms of a retinal tear may include:

• Flashes of light (photopsia).
• Suddenly seeing more black spots or floaters than usual.
• Darkening vision.
• Blurred vision.

You might have a retinal tear and have no symptoms.

What causes a retinal tear?

Retinal tear causes include:

• Posterior vitreous detachment.
• Eye injuries.
• Eye surgeries.

What are the risk factors for retinal tears?

Risk factors for retinal tears include:

• Getting older.
• Being nearsighted (having myopia).
• Having a retina that’s thinning.
• A family history of retinal detachment or tears.

What are the complications of a retinal tear?

Retinal tears can become retinal detachments, which can cause vision loss if they’re not treated.

How do providers diagnose a retinal tear?

Your provider needs to be able to see clearly to the back of your eye during the eye exam. They’ll give you drops to widen your eyes (dilate them). Then they’ll use a special lens that’ll let them see your retina at the back of your eye.

How do eye care providers treat a retinal tear?

If you have a retinal tear, your eye care provider could recommend a retina specialist to do a laser procedure or cryopexy.

Laser surgery to treat retinal tears

With this procedure, your retina specialist will use a laser to repair the retinal tear by surrounding it, preventing it from getting bigger. It also prevents fluid from getting behind the tear. This treatment has another name — photocoagulation. The laser burns your tissue and makes scars that cause the tear to heal.

The repair means that fluid won’t collect behind the break and won’t turn the torn piece into a full-scale retinal detachment.

Photocoagulation takes about 15 minutes.

Cryopexy to treat retinal tears

With cryopexy, your provider will use a freeze treatment to seal the retinal tear. The goal is the same as with a laser procedure — to stop fluid from pushing the retina away from the tissue that supports it. With cryopexy, the extreme cold creates scar tissue and makes the seal.

Cryopexy takes about 30 minutes.

Complications/side effects of repairing retinal tears

Any type of surgical procedure has potential risks. With a laser procedure or cryopexy, you may have these complications:

• Bleeding in your eye.
• Cataracts.
• Needing surgery.
• Mild headache afterward.

How long does it take to recover from retinal tear repair?

You may have to wear an eye patch during a time specified by your provider. You should be able to drive and go back to work, unless your job means that you have to lift heavy things or participate in strenuous activities. It may take weeks for your eye to heal enough to do those things.

Can I prevent a retinal tear?

You really can’t prevent a retinal tear, but you can do things to protect your eyes and sight, including:

• Making and keeping eye care appointments: Eye exams protect your eye health. If you have nearsightedness, eye exams are especially important. Myopia makes you more prone to retinal detachment. Your eye care provider should include dilated exams to find small retinal tears.
• Protecting your eyes: Use safety goggles or other protection for your eyes when playing sports or doing other risky activities.
• Getting prompt treatment for any type of eye injury or changes: If you have an eye injury or notice blurred vision or other issues, see your eye care provider right away or go to the emergency room (ER).
• Managing your health: Take care of chronic conditions, choose nutritious foods in moderation and exercise regularly.

What can I expect if I have a retinal tear?

If you have treatment, or if your retinal tear heals on its own, your prognosis is good. If the tear is large and untreated, it could get worse and cause a retinal detachment. That condition is a medical emergency.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

If you’ve had treatment for a retinal tear and you have any issues afterward, contact your provider or go to an emergency room. These types of issues include:

• Severe pain.
• A loss of vision.
• Signs of infection, such as pus, swelling or fever.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

It can be scary to hear that you have a tear in your retina, especially when you might not be feeling anything that lets you know you have it. But your eye care provider can help you by repairing the retinal tear. Make the call to your provider. They want to keep your eyes healthy, too.