retina detachment: do laser coagulates influence the vision?

[tashadastra]

When my doctor told me I'm having a detachment again, she out a row of laser coagulates around it to hold it in place and directed me to specialists (in my city, they don't do surgeries). After she did the coagulates, my vision became worse: I didn't really have the "curtain" n my vision, only a very minor one, but now it's there. Can it be that laser coagulates made it worse? Would the curtain go away after the surgery (scleral buckle)? Please answer me, I don't know what to think and I'm panicking that I let them damage my eyes!

[tashadastra]

Dear Sir,

please answer this - 'cause I'm going crazy thinking about it - is it possible that the line that I see from the coagulates will disappear with time, or is it permanent now? My doctor told me that yes it is a result of the laser coagulates, but I don't have the answer to the question whether it is permanent now... Please answer...

[tashadastra]

Thank you for the warning, Doctor - yes, that's what I'm going to do - except that it is truly impossible to do it faster than in 10 days in the country where I live, that's why my doc did the coagulates n a hope hat it would last for some time. But please, please answer me this: I am sure the vision became worse right after the laser, is it possible that laser coagulates burnt the retina? I've heard it is not recommended to apply laser close to macula, what if that's what my doctor did? Will the retina in this area see after the surgery? I am disturbed by this line in the place where she put the coagulates... Please tell me what you think, I understand it's hard to tell without examining, but theoretically? Thank you!!

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Walling off a detachment with laser only works if it is very small.  The curtain suggest that the retinal detachment has progressed and the blurred vision suggest that the macula, the critical area of vision, has detached.

See a retinal specialist ASAP.

Dr. O.