After preventative laser treatment for thinning retina

I will be going in to repair some thinning and tears in the retina in both eyes. I would also like to get new glasses as mine are out of date, and I thought it would be better to have them done before the treatment. Is it likely that I may experience a change in vision as a result of the treatment? I have experienced a minor change in vision as a result of the retinal thinning but a barely noticable amount (contact perscription in left eye went from -2.75 to -3.00) Any information would be great!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

retinal thinning does NOT cause changes in the vision. Changes in the vision could come from glasses, cataracts or macula/optic nerve problems.

You should be able to get glasses before, after or during your laser therapy.

JCH MD

[BasiaM]

Thanks!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[chewch]

Is it possible that a  hard lens that has been used after cateract removal can be faulty? My vision has changed so drastically--can only see parts of very large print--middle of words disappear. MK

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

In the USA and most developed countries IOLs are made to high quality. Some like ReZoom, ReStor and Crystalens have problems with dysphotopsia but that is not due to manufacturer problems.

Get a second opinion if you surgeon can't give you answers

JCH MD

[stn2011]

No symptoms, but doctor diagnose me of thinning retina and need immediate laser

Dear all,
I have just been diagnosed of thinning retina. In order to confirm it, I went to another doctor (in Indonesia). Both doctors said the same thing and prescribe me to get a laser treatment for a preventive action of retinal thorn even though my minus in both eyes are just 3.75.

Actually, I have no complaints or discomfort in my eyes. I went to the (first) doctor was to have a regular check up. I did experience many floaters but it was temporary perhaps about less than a month. Now, when I realize this, I try to notice if there are floaters in my sights, I can say these amount of floaters have been all my life. I don’t notice any increase of floaters. I never experience any flashes before.

Questions:
1. How serious if indeed what those two doctors said about my thinning retina if I don’t go for a laser treatment (because I am afraid of the failure of the surgery which can cause permanent blindness)?
2. As laser coagulation will create blind spot in the concerning area, can I delay this preventive action as I have no complaints about my eyesights?


thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. The risk of permanent blindness with laser is extremely remote. There is often disagreement among highly trained and experienced ophthalmologists about which holes, tears, lattice (thin areas) need to be treated.
2. Only a Eye MD looking in your eye with special instruments could give an opinion about whether you need treatment or not.
3. If these Eye MDs were in the same practice it may not have been a completely independent 2nd opinion. If they were both qualified, not affiliated then you have two confirmatory opinions which is good enough for most people. If you are still unsure get a third opinion.
4. Most thin areas occur in the peripheral retina that is NOT used for everyday sight and very few people are aware of any blurred spots post laser.

5. As a generalization laser treatment of lattice, holes, thin areas, tears is NOT ultra-serious and carries with no where near the risks of the eye having a retinal detachment.

JCH MD

[stn2011]

Thank you very much for your prompt answer I am a bit relieve now.
But, i still want to confirm two things from your answers.

In your answer
4. Most thin areas occur in the peripheral retina that is NOT used for everyday sight and very few people are aware of any blurred spots post laser.

Do you mean that ALL laser spot will leave a blind spot in my eye sight post laser? In that case, my eye sight is pretty normal. After laser, i will have disadvantage of a blind spot in certain areas. The advantage is i would reduce my risk of retine (retina) detachment.


5. As a generalization laser treatment of lattice, holes, thin areas, tears is NOT ultra-serious and carries with no where near the risks of the eye having a retinal detachment.

a. Does it mean that holes would bring low risk to cause retina detachment?
b. In my case, it is not torn yet only thinning with potential of tearing. That's why 2 doctors advised me to take a laser prevention. (which i am scared of having blind spot all my life).
c. Or, are you saying that retina thinning (not hole) still have low risk of retinal detachment?

thanks for your answer.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No most lasers do not leave blind spots when placed in the peripheral retina where tears are most prone to occur (vitreous base)

Your second questions can only be answered by your ophthalmologist.

JCH MD