Retinal Tear: Symptoms, Causes & Possible Treatments

A retinal tear can lead to serious vision problems if left untreated. Retinal tear symptoms can be mistaken for harmless eye floaters, so it’s useful to know the tell-tale signs that set them apart.

Early detection is important – retinal tear treatment, such as laser therapy or cryotherapy, can prevent the progression to retinal detachment—a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss.

What is a Retinal Tear?

The retina is the thin, light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. A retinal tear is a small hole that develops in the outer layer of the retina – it occurs when the vitreous gel inside the eye pulls away from the retina, creating a tear.

Ophthalmologists warn that while a retinal tear itself might not immediately cause vision loss, it can allow fluid to seep underneath the retina, leading to a detached retina – a more severe condition that can cause permanent blindness unless treated promptly. With a detached retina, the retina peels away from its supportive layers, cutting off its blood supply.

The Symptoms of Retinal Tear

It’s important to understand the signs of a possible retinal tear. The symptoms may be subtle – look out for the following:

• You see new or more  floaters than usual – appearing as tiny little specks, cobwebs, or threads drifting across your eyesight.
• Flashes of light – You may encounter brief lightning streaks or sparkles. With retinal tears, these flashes typically occur in your peripheral vision (a result of the retina being pulled).
• Blurred vision – This happens when the tear affects the macula or causes bleeding.
• A shadow or curtain-like effect – This typically signals a more advanced stage, such as a progressing retinal detachment.

Retinal tears and retinal detachment have similar symptoms – but they differ in severity. A detachment can give more pronounced symptoms – e.g. significant loss of peripheral vision or the perception of shadows moving across your sight. A retinal tear may happen prior to a detachment. Receiving prompt diagnosis and treatment are important.

What is The Most Common Cause of Retinal Tear?

Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a naturally occurring process within the eye. Here, the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks and shifts away from the retina over time (typically after the age of 50). PVD is mostly harmless, but in some cases, the vitreous can tug on the retina with enough force to create a retinal tear. This is more likely to happen when the retina is already thin or weak.

Most retinal tears happen spontaneously during PVD – but risk factors (severe near-sightedness, trauma, family history) can increase the chances. Recognising the symptoms of PVD (as we have discussed earlier) can prevent complications like retinal detachment when addressed quickly.

The Risk Factors to Consider

Factors that can cause a  retinal tear are outlined below:

Eye trauma – Retinal tears may form when a direct blow to the eye causes the vitreous to tug violently on the retina. leading to a tear.

Myopia (near-sightedness) – People who have myopia tend to have longer eyeballs, which can stretch and thin the retina, making it more prone to tears.

Prior eye surgery – such as cataract treatment may weaken the retina, which can lead to tears.

Family history – Genetics where the family has a history of retinal tears or detachment may be more prone to developing them later in life.

Aging – People over 50, are more likely to get posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) – this is the leading cause of retinal tears.

Can a Retinal Tear Be Prevented?

Regular dilated eye exams help with early detection and prompt treatment.

Wearing protective eyewear during high-risk activities, managing medical conditions like diabetes, and seeking prompt help when you see flashes or floaters can help prevent tears from progressing into more serious problems like  retinal detachment.

Retinal Tear Treatments to Consider

Typically, the following choices are available when a person develops a retinal tear:

Laser Therapy (Photocoagulation) – The laser seals the tear by creating small burns around it, preventing fluid from passing through and detaching the retina.

Cryotherapy – With this technique, extreme cold is used to freeze the area around the tear, creating a scar that stabilizes the retina.

Monitoring – Although rare, small, retinal tears may heal by themselves.