An Overview of Retinal Tear

A retinal tear can lead to fluid and blood collecting in the eye, which can cause the development of several new floaters and loss of vision if the tear leads to a retinal detachment. The retina plays a vital role in vision. Damage to the retina can cause vision loss and even permanent blindness.

The retina is the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye on the inside. Located near the optic nerve, the retina's purpose is to receive light and then send pictures to the brain of what the eye sees.

The retina processes light through light-sensitive cells called photoreceptor cells. These cells are responsible for detecting light stimuli which in turn gets interpreted as images. The photoreceptor cells pass the information on to the optic nerve which sends visual information to the brain. The brain then sorts through the information and "develops" the pictures.

The most common symptoms of a retinal tear include flashes of light in the eye and visible spots called floaters. Retinal tears can develop and progress quickly, which in turn may lead to retinal detachment. Other symptoms to watch out for include:

• A sudden increase in size and number of floaters, indicating a retinal tear may be occurring
• A sudden appearance of light flashes, which could be the first stage of a retinal tear or detachment
• Having a shadow appear in your peripheral (side) field of vision
• Seeing a gray curtain slowly moving across your field of vision
• A sudden decrease in vision, including focusing trouble and blurred vision
• Headache

In some cases, however, a retinal tear may not cause any noticeable symptoms.

In most cases, a retinal tear occurs when the vitreous gel inside the eye contracts and tears the retina away from the eye wall. The vitreous gel, also called the vitreous humor, is a clear jelly-like substance that fills most of the eye's interior.

The main function of vitreous gel is to help the eyeball hold its spherical shape during fetal eye development. There is still a lot to learn about the function of the gel that we do not yet know. After the eye develops in utero, the purpose of the vitreous gel is unknown.

This gel also helps the retina hold its place against the interior wall of the eyeball. The contraction of the vitreous gel can occur slowly over time or suddenly after experiencing a trauma to the eye.

Other conditions associated with retinal tears include the following:

• Diabetes
• Sickle cell disease
• Scar tissue
• High myopia (nearsightedness)
• Past eye trauma
• History of retinal tear or detachment
• Retinal degeneration
• Inflammatory disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain cancers
• Certain hereditary eye conditions
• Retinopathy of prematurity

Your doctor will need to perform a thorough comprehensive eye examination. In most cases, no signs of a retinal tear are visible from the outside. The eye may be red or swollen due to increased eye pressure, but it will look normal otherwise. Within the eye, however, your doctor will be able to see signs of a tear with the use of ophthalmoscopy.

Your doctor may dilate your pupils using eye drops. A binocular indirect ophthalmoscope may be used to obtain a three-dimensional view to examine the inside of your eye.

The doctor may also use the aid of a slit lamp. A slit lamp magnifies the eye many times and illuminates it with a bright light so individual structures can be examined. Traces of pigment or blood cells may be seen floating within the liquid in the front of the eye. Tears and detachments of the retina can often be visualized directly during the examination. In some instances, blood may obstruct the view, making it difficult for your retina to be examined.

An ultrasound device can be used to look at your eye, especially if there is dense bleeding inside your eye. The ultrasound device produces sound waves that bounce off the back of the eye, forming a picture that helps your doctor see if your retina is truly torn or even detached.​

A retinal tear is repaired with a surgical procedure. Your doctor will discuss the type of procedure recommended depending on the extent of the tear. You will also be informed about the various risks and benefits of your treatment options.

Prompt treatment of a retinal tear usually yields an extremely good prognosis. Most retinal tears are treated by resealing the retina to the back wall of the eye with the use of laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing).

Both procedures create a scar that helps to seal the retina to the back of the eye, preventing fluid from traveling through the tear and under the retina. The procedure usually prevents the retina from detaching completely.

These treatments are usually performed in your eye doctor's office, and tend to cause very little or no discomfort. They include:

• Laser surgery (photocoagulation): Your doctor will use a laser to make small burns around the retinal tear. The scarring that results will seal the retina to the underlying tissue, helping to prevent a retinal detachment.
• Freezing treatment (cryopexy): Your doctor will use a special freezing probe to freeze the retina surrounding the retinal tear. The result is a scar that helps secure the retina to the eye wall.

A retinal tear requires immediate professional attention because it can quickly lead to a retinal detachment. If left untreated, a retinal detachment can cause total vision impairment. If caught early, however, most detached retinas can be surgically reattached with vision partially or completely restored.