retina tear

Hi and hoping someone can explain this to me.first off I'm Dx's with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease so I have to see my Optomoligist once a year because I'm on Placquenil since 2001 plus I have Sjorgren's and my eyes are very dry.Today at the appt. he said that I have a small tear on my left retina WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AND HOW SERIOUS IS IT.He said if it gets worse it can cause blindness is this true and how quick can this happen?????
Thank  you very much for any explanations of this disease.

Mary

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

The retina is like the inner film or wallpaper of the eye that is held to the wall of the eye by small cells that have a suction mechanism against the wall.  The retina is what we see with and needs to stay attached to the underlying tissues for it to maintain function.  If there is a tear in the retina, it could allow fluid from the inside of the eye to sneak between the retina and the wall of the eye and overwhelm the suction cells that hold the retina against the wall.  This could lead to the retina detaching which in a short time could kill off the retina cells (retina needs to stay attached) and lead to permanent vision loss in the areas of the retina that are damaged.  If you have a tear in the retina, you should see a retina specialist right away to perform laser barricade to keep the retina from detaching (this is similar to nailing in the wall paper in the area that it is torn to keep it from peeling off).  Go see a retina specialist right away.  If you start seeing a shadow, semicircle, or cloud out of the corner of your eye, it becomes an emergency and you need to see a retina specialist emergently.  It is unpredictable how fast this may happen.  Tends to be slower the younger you are.

HV

[Marys1358]

HV,
Thank you so much for responding so fast.The only difference I've noticed is the dryness can't make tears any more and floaters.I am 53 and the symptoms have been about 3years now.But the tear was noticed today at my eye appoinment and he also took a couple pictures and was going to give me the results next week.

Thanks so much,
Mary

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

Dry eye and tear are unrelated.  Both are treatable.  Follow the ophthalmologist's recommendations.  If in doubt, feel free to get a second opinion.

HV

[Marys1358]

Thank you so much for the information.
Mary

[JonnaLee]

I had the same thing happen to me at just about the same age as you, I'm now 59. I was scared to death when the doctor told me I had a tear in my retina, but I did ask a lot of questions and he explained things thoroughly, and I felt much better.  The laser treatment doesn't hurt, it's just a bit discomforting when you see the thing pointing at your eye during the procedure, but I got used to being poked and prodded in my eyes since I also have glaucoma. You will have to see the retina specialist at least once or twice a year since it's possible for the same thing to happen again, but so far, so good.