Operculated Retinal Tear

[Sabella2]

I have PVD in my left eye at age 57/58 beginning March 2006 and continuing in stages in March, April and August '06 and April-July '07,with floaters coming and going and flashers diminishing to almost nothing, mostly phosphenes.  I've had several dilated pupil/split lens emergency, routine and follow-up eye exams with opthamologists at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.  My exam yesterday concluded no need for further exams, unless I have symptoms.  It also indicated no need for treatment of a tiny operculated tear (pin hole)observed in the area of my retina not involving vision. I was assured by a top retinal specialist that it wasn't something bad, the kind of tear extremely rare in leading to retinal detachment.  

I was told that for PVD (in the left eye in particular and just beginning in the right eye it seems)the average duration is 4-8 weeks and that mine happens to be lasting longer, going in stages, piece by piece.  Can it considered abnormal for my PVD to be 16 months ongoing?

It was also suggested by doctors that it's ok to do yoga and climb stairs for exercise, yet I wonder of some inverted yoga positions, especially those during hot (80-95 degrees F.) power yoga sessions still ok?  Does my newly diagnosed operculated left eye retinal tear make a difference?  (I forgot to ask my doctor that question yesterday.)

Vision is still 20/30 with left eye being better than right eye.

Sabella2

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

Holes and tears "heal themselves" more often than ophthalmologists have to seal them with laser or freezing. Also many holes/tears do not need retreatment especially if small, located on the inferior part of the eye, show no vitreous traction, are round in shape (rather than horseshoe shaped tears).

JCH III MD   Ophthalmologist

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

Hello Sabella,    I just finished answering a question about retinal tears yesterday in which I said that not all retinal tears or holes need to be treated with laser or freezing (cryotherapy). You can use the search feature on this page to pull up the many, many discussions we've had of PVD and retinal holes. Also just looking at the posts on the two eye care forums for the past 2-3 days will show many other discussions.

Mass Eye & Ear is one of the best eye centers in the world and I would absolutely accept their recommendations.

Personally I would advise my patients to not do extended yoga inverted positions especially standing on your head. Studies published in leading medical journals have shown that this increases the pressure in the eye significantly. It's absolutely contraindicated for glaucoma patients and there are some theoretical objections I have for patients with retinal tears related to traction at the vitreous base.

But all other exercise like running, climbing a stair climber are not likely to be a problem at all. If they were Mass E & E would have told you.

I also advise my retinal tear patients not to do roller coasters, loop de loops and other amusement park rides that put the body under high gravity loads that throw the body one way and then another.  That again is theoretical.  I have personally have some small untreated retinal holes in my eye and these are my personal guidelines also. Other than that I run, swim, do sit-ups, like some weights, etc.

JCH MD Eye Physician & Surgeon       Eye MD  =  Ophthalmologist

[Sabella2]

One more question about my tiny operculated tear my opthamologist suggested would
not need treatment, was in an area that did not affect vision, and would be extremely
rare if it led to further tear/detachment.  Do some tears/holes in retina seal themselves
with scar tissue on their own over time?