What are the limitations of the treatment?

• Successful sealing of visible holes etc. does not guarantee against possibility of new holes developing in future.

• Rarely the treated holes can also reopen due to some changes in the vitreous gel that fills the back of eyeball.

What does the treatment involve?

• Photocoagulation: This involves use of laser energy to produce strong adhesion between the retina and pigmentary epithelium all round the hole/tear etc. No injection is needed. The treatment is on an out patient basis and is fairly simple. If extensive treatment is needed, 2 sittings may be advised. No bandaging is needed and one can resume normal activities immediately. In most cases, photocoagulation may be the recommended treatment.

• Cryotherapy: On occasion, photocoagulation may not be possible and cryo therapy may be advised. This involves freezing the areas that need to be strengthened. Usually injection anaesthesia may be needed to the treatment and hence bandaging may be done to the involved eye for one day. Some amount of lid swelling and redness and redness may be expected for 3-4 days depending on amount of treatment.
  Mild blurring of vision is also expected for a few days.
  Drops or ointment may be prescribed for a few days.

What can be the possible complications of the treatment?

• Photocoagulation: Photocoagulation is a very simple procedure and does not by itself cause any complications in most cases. Extremely rarely, membrane growth across the central retina called macula may occur resulting in distorted or reduced vision.

• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy also by itself only very rarely causes complications. Since local injection anaesthesia is needed, the minimum risk associated with the same such as drug allergy and accidental eyeball performations are potential but very rare possibilities.

• Photocoagulation: No specific treatment is needed if photocoagulation is done. Mild glare is expected for few hours due to dilatation.

• Cryotherapy: After 2-3 hours, liquid diet is permitted and after 6 hours, normal diet is allowed. Rarely nausea and vomiting may occur. If so, avoid solid diet that day.

Pain killer such as Numulide or Corbutyl can be taken if needed. Next day the doctor may prescribe Betnesol eye drops 2-3 times/day for 3-7 days depending upon the extent of treatment. Ideally it is better to evaluate 7-10 days later to see the efficacy of the treatment. However the doctor will advise you according to the individual requirement.

Symptoms for which you should seek emergency review: