Flashes after vitrectomy

[lost_in_despair]

Hi,

I recently got non-pvd induced vitrectomy for floaters. I have lattice and it was lasered. Its been about 25 days since surgery and I am still noticing streaks of bright yellow flashes which move nasally to temporally in superior retina. These flashes last less than 1 second and mostly occur in isolation but sometimes are followed by 2-3 in repetition. They do not occur on eye movement but randomly even if my eyes are stationary. Usually occurs when my neck is a bit bent down and reading a book.

I talked to my surgeon and he told me this is normal as it is due to retina scarring due to laser but I am getting concerned because laser scars show radioactivity like activity and not these kind of flashes.

Should I get worried that PVD is happening in my eye and pulling on latticed retina??????

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

Yes scar contraction can cause tears in the retina however with laser retina scars its not likely scar from diabetic bleeding in the eye or the scarring of inflammation in the eye (uveitis) is more likely to cause a tear.
JCH MD

[lost_in_despair]

Thank you Dr. Hagan. Does this sort of traction due to scarring have any potential to cause retinal tears? Must like how PVD traction can cause tears in periphery?

Thank you.

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

laser scars elicit flashing by traction on the retina. They do not in and of themselves generate flashing
JCH MD

[lost_in_despair]

Thank you Dr. Hagan.

I was merely asking if laser scars can causing flashes? Or flashes always due to traction on retina?

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

I don't recommend vitrectomy for floaters, you will need to discuss this with your surgeon.

JCH MD