Retinal problem

[Superay]

Dear Doctor,

I am 37, male, I got my eyes examined few days ago, several retinal holes detected in my right eye and retinal photocoagulation was recommended.  After viewing your comments in this web site I decided to go for a second opinion today and the doctor said I was only retinal degeneration, no retinal holes were found.

The first eye doctor examined my eyes by Slit lamp, then Opthalmoscope plus magnifying lens, finally Slit lamp plus supplementary lens which attached onto my eye balls and retinal holes were detected.

The second one just used Slit lamp only without any supplementary lens onto my eyes and commented my retinal is just degenerating, few parts are getting thinner and no treatment to be needed.

Certainly, both examinations were done after pupil dilated and  my questions are:

1) What are the procedures of a normal detailed eye examination should be ? What does it cover? and what equipments to be used ?

2) Can the retina be clearly seen by just Slit lamp without any supplementary lens after pupil dilation ?

3) I am very confused of the results now. Any comment you have for both examinations ? or should I go for a 3rd opinion ?


Thanks so much in advance and look forward to your reply soon.

Ray

[Superay]

Dear Doctor,


Thank you for your professional opinion and it has eased so much of my concerns and worriness. After viewing this web site I realized that eye care is very important to everyone especially to people my age (I am 37 btw).  

Anyway, I think I will look for a good eye doctor in case of any future happenings.

BTW, 2 more concerns I have now are: How often do you suggest to go for an eye examination? and is pupil dilation harmful if it is done frequently ?


Thanks so much again and best wishes,

Ray

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

First of all, retinal holes are not treated.  Retinal tears are treated and only if they have symptoms.  Approximately 35% of acuter retinal tears lead to retinal detachment.  The complication rate of treatment is about 5%.  

Atrophic retinal tears in an asymptomatic patient probably has less than a 0.5% chance of leading to a retinal detachment.

Slit lamp examination of the retinal can be done with a contact lens (put on your eye) or a small lens held in front of the eye.  You might have not noticed the small lens used to examine your retinal.

I would not seek a third opinion.  You had no symptoms.

Dr. O.