| Is that normal?? | | | | Argon laser can be carried out in the office |
| That's a very common complaint when patients | | | | setting. The goal with this type of laser is to 'wall |
| call the office. They are usually puzzled, often | | | | off' the tear, so that it cannot extend. It is usual |
| scared, and always eager to find out why they | | | | to perform a few hundred spots, and to |
| are seeing weird dots, floaters or webs inside | | | | completely surround the tear. Commonly, 3 rows |
| their eye. | | | | of laser are performed around the tear, and then |
| The only way to really assess this problem is with | | | | the treatment is extended to the edge of the |
| a complete, dilated eye exam. Even though the | | | | retina, an area known as the Ora Serrata. |
| eyedrops are a hassle, they allow the | | | | If the hole or tear does extend, fluid can get |
| ophthalmologist to look at the entire retina, | | | | under the retina and cause a full detachment. If a |
| including the optic nerve, blood vessels (veins and | | | | detachment occurs, sugical treatment is usually |
| arteries), the macula and fovea, as well as the | | | | necessary. Obviously, it is better to get to this |
| peripheral retina. The vitreous gel is usually | | | | problem BEFORE the retina begins to detach. |
| optically clear, but sometimes floaters or strands | | | | Sometimes detachments can be treated with |
| can be seen within it. | | | | more extensive laser. Other times, cryotherapy is |
| When a patient calls the office with these | | | | needed. Sometimes a gas bubble (such as |
| complaints, it is important that their complaint be | | | | perflourate), or silicone oil is needed. In addition, |
| treated in an urgent or emergent fashion. This | | | | some patients will need an encircling band placed |
| means that an examination must be carried out | | | | around their eye. This is known as a scleral buckle, |
| within twenty four to forty eight hours of the call | | | | and is very successful in re-attaching the retina. |
| to the office. This is the safest way to examine | | | | Unfortunately, it requires a trip to an operating |
| and treat promptly to prevent further | | | | room, and can result in high degrees of |
| complications. | | | | near-sightedness. This is, of course, better than |
| First the visual acuity is checked in each eye with | | | | having a complete detachment!! |
| glasses. The pressure check is not essential for | | | | In a very few cases, the detachment progresses, |
| this type of emergency visit. Dilation with | | | | and a surgery on the inside of the eye (known as |
| eyedrops is carried out, usually just to the eye | | | | vitrectomy) needs to be performed. If none of |
| that is affected. A very careful examination of | | | | these treatments work, the patient may go blind |
| the retina is performed, usually using special tools | | | | from this problem. |
| such as 4-mirror contact lens apparatus, or | | | | If you, or anyone you know, has floating dots, |
| indirect ophthalmoscope with depression for a | | | | webs, or flashing lights in their vision, tell them not |
| good view of the peripheral retina. This is the area | | | | to wait!! Get it checked out, even if the |
| where most tears or detachments are found. | | | | symptoms seem to be getting better. |
| If a tear is found, immediate treatment with an | | | | |