Retinal Hole

[MichaelSa]

I had an eye test 3 months ago. They said everything was fine. I went in recently because I was worried about floaters. They did a retinal scan and found a small hole in my periphery. I'm assuming it's atrophic because they said there was no traction. They treated it with laser and told me not to worry about it. She didn't even want to treat it. I think there is pigmentation.



My questions are: 1. Is it likely that it has developed in the last 3 months or could it have been missed in the previous test?

2. Do these holes ever heal on their own?

3. If so, could it heal, even after laser treatment??

Thank you

Any advice would be appreciated.

[MichaelSa]

Thanks again Dr. It is actually an operculated retinal hole with a free floating operculum. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it's going to be ok. Thanks again!!!!

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck.  Protect your eye from trauma and avoid amusement park type rides that whip the head about.

[JohnHaganMD]

1. No way to tell when this developed. 2. Yes many small holes, especially round holes seal themselves shut by themselves with pigment/scar and do not require treatment especially if on the bottom of the eye.   3. Yes

[MichaelSa]

Thank you Dr.  I now have found out that it's operculated with no flap (no traction). Does this change your answer?? Thanks again.  

[JohnHaganMD]

I misread your last question. If you had laser the laser makes scar and the scar is used to seal hole so spontaneous healing is not needed. An operculated retinal tear means there IS retinal detachment by definition. Usually it is associated with a horseshoe shaped tear.  For no traction to be present you would have to have a round hole with a ‘free floating’ operculum NOT one attached like a ‘lid’ to the tear.

[JohnHaganMD]

The above has a typing autocorrect error which I can’t change. The CORRECT sentence is “An operculated retinal tear means there is retinal TRACTION by definition.

[MichaelSa]

Thanks again Dr. It is actually an operculated retinal hole with a free floating operculum. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that it's going to be ok. Thanks again!!!!