FAQs
The success rate of preventing further retinal detachment is typically over 90%. However, it's important to follow up with regular eye exams to monitor the condition of the retina.
How long does it take to recover from laser eye surgery for retinal tears? ›
Because it can take up to a week for the laser treatment to seal the retinal tear, a recovery period of about 10-14 days is recommended. It is normal for light flashes or floaters to continue after the laser surgery.
Can you walk after retinal tear laser surgery? ›
Resuming physical activity after retinal surgery
No strenuous (tough or challenging) exercise for 1 to 2 weeks after most retinal surgery. Light exercise, like walking, may be safe. Ask your doctor. No swimming (or direct exposure of water to the eyes) for 1 to 2 weeks after most retinal surgery.
What are the side effects of laser treatment for retinal tears? ›
Since each pulse of the laser causes a microscopic burn in the retina, you may develop:
- Mild loss of vision.
- Reduced night vision.
- Blind spots.
- Reduced side vision.
- Difficulty focusing.
- Blurred vision.
- Reduced color vision.
The laser treatment won't treat any flashing lights or floaters, and if you do experience these then they will gradually improve on their own in the coming weeks or months.
Can you watch TV after retinal tear laser surgery? ›
This usually contains artificial tears in the form of eye drops, painkillers, and any other information you may need. At your 1-day post-surgery appointment, your surgeon will sign you off to return to a number of activities. This typically includes returning to work and, of course, switching the TV back on!
What happens after cryotherapy for retinal tears? ›
After the procedure is performed, some redness, swelling, and mild discomfort can be expected. This will usually be alleviated by use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), though sometimes a stronger pain reliever may be required. Healing typically takes 10–14 days.
How long do you have to rest after laser eye surgery? ›
Your OCL surgeon will assess your recovery rate to give you a more accurate and personal time scale, but as a rough guide, we suggest you allow at least 24-48 hours. However, some people need up to a week off work to adjust to their new eyesight.
What are the do's and don'ts after retinal tear surgery? ›
Activity
- Rest when you feel tired.
- Allow the eye to heal. Don't do things where you might move your head. ...
- You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
- You may drive when your vision allows it. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
Lying down: Lie face down on a pillow; have the recovering side of your face hang off the edge of the bed. This helps reduce pain and keeps pressure off your operated eye.
I always tell patients, however, to avoid activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or bumper car rides, where there is potential for whiplash injury, when they have been diagnosed with complications of PVD such as those mentioned above (retinal tear, hole, or retinal detachment).
How long do you have to stay face down after retina surgery? ›
You will have to keep your head face down (parallel to the ground) or lie on one side for several days to a week after surgery to allow the bubble to stay in the correct position.
How painful is laser surgery for retinal tears? ›
While some people report pressure or minor discomfort during the surgery, neither procedure requires any incisions. Following retinal tear surgery, some mild pain is common for a few hours. Resting is important for the first week or two following surgery in order to give scar tissue enough time to form.
What can I expect after laser eye surgery for retinal tear? ›
What happens afterward? Your vision may be dazzled and blurred for some time after the laser. It may be helpful to wear dark glasses following the laser. You should not drive or operate machinery on the day of treatment.
What happens if you cry after laser eye surgery? ›
It's okay to cry after your LASIK surgery. Whatever the reason you may want to cry, natural tears won't harm your eyes or delay the healing process. Crying may actually keep your eyes lubricated and that helps the healing process. In fact, many patients cry immediately upon sitting up after LASIK.
What is the failure rate of laser eye surgery? ›
As of 2018, over 9.5 million Americans have undergone LASIK surgery due to its convenience, good results, and high success rate. In fact, one study reports that LASIK has an impressive patient success rate between 96-98%! Research indicates LASIK enables: 99% of patients to achieve 20/40 vision or better.
Can laser surgery fix retinal detachment? ›
Laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy can also be used to treat a retinal detachment and prevent it from becoming bigger. Surgery is an option if a retinal detachment is big enough that it can't be treated with laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy alone.
Is laser eye surgery 100% effective? ›
Up to 99% of LASIK patients reported very good patient satisfaction. Under 1% experienced loss of vision (that is, a negative outcome) Over 90% achieved perfect visual acuity of 6/6 (also known as 20/20) vision.
What is the average recovery time for laser eye surgery? ›
You will probably be able to return to work or your normal routine 1 to 3 days after surgery. For a few days, you may have blurry vision or watery eyes. Your eyes may be bloodshot for up to 3 weeks. This is because LASIK surgery can cause small blood vessels in your eye to break.
