What is the process of laser photocoagulaton that a opthamologist does for retinal tears?

Question

I went to my optamologist to checkup on floaters in my field of vision. He found that I have a retinal tear in my left eye. He told me that he would need to see me on Friday to seal the tear with a laser. I've never had any surgery like this done. Has anyone gone through this? What is the process like and what does it entail? How do you keep your eyes open and without blinking? Is there any pain experienced?

Answer 1

Laser photocoagulation is done for bleeding. If the tear includes a little hemorrage, that's possible. Usually they will perform a barrier laser or something like that. These are both similar, so I'll tell you what will happen...
First you'll get some eye drops, numbing and possibly an antibiotic (doubtful). Then, depending on the type of laser and size of tear, you may need a shot to numb the eye. This sounds terrible, but it's not that bad. The doctor will insert the needle through your lower lid and get the medicine behind the eye, this is know as a retrobulbar block. This also keeps the eye from moving. Then he will place a large contact lens on the eye to focus the laser beam, you will not feel this. The laser will be performed (if you've had the shot you will feel nothing, if just the drops you may have dull pain) and he will give you post-operative instrucitons. Sometimes you have to position yourself a certain way to keep the retina attached. If the tear was too severe they can also do a pneumatic retinopexy which is where they inject a gas into the eye to create a bubble and when the bubble touches the retina it moves the fluid out from behind the tear where it is not supposed to be. That's not as bad as it sounds either.

You'll be fine, just breathe!