If the tear is detected early, laser treatment to make welds can prevent progression of a detachment in many patients. The symptoms of retinal tears are not necessarily that different from that those experienced by patients having a simple vitreous separation.

If you have new or sudden flashes or floaters, darkness over part of your visual field, or a new loss of vision that does not go away, call your eye doctor or ophthalmologist right away. Floaters and flashes may be warning signs of retinal detachment.

There is no way to tell over the telephone if there are just simple floaters or a retinal tear. That is why examination by a retinal detachment doctor at our Retina Vitreous Center is necessary. If there is no retinal tear, well that was just a false alarm. If a retinal tear is present, then a ‘whole lotta hurt’ potentially could be saved by an in-office laser procedure.