How much discomfort after laser repair of retinal holes is normal?

[Beth1116]

A routine eye exam resulted in me sent to a retinologist who recommended laser treatment immediately for retinal holes.  Please note I was asymptomatic.  I stressed this with the doctor, but acquiesed to his recommendation.  It was very painful.  There was less fluid than he thought there would be from his examination, and afterwards he informed me that 50% of retinologists recommend this procedure.  I find most online sources recommend a wait and watch attitude for asymptomatic small holes and such.  It remained painful for several hours after the procedure, and no material I could find told me what to do in this case (I am well aware that pain is not typical).  When I ask what is with the pain I am merely told it is not typical.  The pain is mostly gone 5 days later, but my eye is still uncomfortable and I do not know from any source what I should do or when I should be concerned.

[JohnHaganMD]

Your surgeon has failed to provide good guidance to you. Most surgeons would advise patients pain is not unusual (if you look there are several discussion threads about pain after retina laser) and that if your eye was uncomfortable to take (depending on the amount of the pain) extra strength tylenol to up to 600 or 800 mgm of ibuprofen.  Pain does not correlate with poor results or failure to seal hole.