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Eye Condition

Retinal Tear

A retinal tear is a small rupture in the eye’s retina that can trigger sudden flashes or floaters and may progress to detachment if untreated.

Cross‑section diagram of an eye highlighting a retinal tear

What is a Retinal Tear?

A retinal tear is a serious eye condition where the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, develops a tear or hole. This can occur when the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks and pulls on the retina with enough force to cause a tear. If left untreated, a retinal tear can lead to retinal detachment, a sight-threatening condition.

Symptoms of a Retinal Tear

  • Sudden Flashes of Light: Brief flashes in the peripheral vision.
  • New Floaters: Sudden appearance of many small, dark spots or lines in your vision.
  • Blurred Vision: Decrease in visual clarity.
  • Shadow or Curtain Effect: A shadow or curtain-like effect moving across your field of vision.

Causes and Risk Factors

Retinal tears can occur spontaneously but are more likely to happen under certain conditions:

  • Aging: More common in people over 50 due to changes in the vitreous gel.
  • Severe Nearsightedness: Higher risk in individuals with significant myopia.
  • Eye Injury: Trauma to the eye can lead to a tear.
  • Previous Eye Surgery: Procedures like cataract surgery can increase the risk.
  • Family History: Genetic predisposition to retinal conditions.

Diagnosis

Prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent further complications such as retinal detachment. Our clinic offers advanced diagnostic services, including:

  • Dilated Eye Examination: Detailed examination of the retina using specialized equipment.
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): High-resolution imaging to detect tears and assess the retina.
  • Ultrasound: Imaging to visualize the retina when the view is obstructed by blood or other factors.

As is the case with all acute-traumatic conditions the sooner you are able to start treatment the better!

Rated 5 stars by 10,000+ Happy Patients

Retinal Tear Patient Story

A real patient shares their journey with our treatment approach.

"Every time I’ve come here, the colors seem way brighter for many months after the treatment."

Retinal tears in her teens left Mariana with floaters, flashes, and washed-out color. After a week of micro-acupuncture her right-eye field opened by 30%, the flashes calmed, and colors came alive again, results so encouraging she says she will happily return every year for the rest of her life.

Mariana
Verified Patient

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions we get asked about Retinal Tear.

Ideally within 24 hours. A fresh tear can progress to a retinal detachment in days, or sometimes hours, so prompt evaluation sharply lowers the risk of permanent vision loss. If you develop a dark curtain or sudden loss of side vision, treat it as an emergency and call immediately.

No. The retina lacks the blood supply needed for self-repair. Without intervention the tear remains open and fluid can seep underneath, lifting the retina and causing detachment. Observation alone is only considered when the tear is tiny, sealed by a pre-existing adhesion, and judged stable by your specialist.

Most people experience no pain at all, just visual phenomena such as flashes, floaters, or a shadow. Because it is usually painless, patients sometimes delay seeking care, assuming nothing serious is wrong. Lack of pain does not mean lack of urgency.

Roughly 10-15 % of patients who develop a tear in one eye will have a tear in the fellow eye at some point. The risk is higher if you are highly myopic, have had previous eye surgery, or have lattice degeneration. Regular dilated exams, typically every 6-12 months, are the best defense for early detection.

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