Laser treatment for Retinal thin

[taurus1203]

I got a retinal thin in my right eye. I heard that 6 to 8% of people have this issue. My eye doctor mentioned that I may choose to do laser to fix it.
I would like to know
1.) Using laser to fix the thin area will form a scar in the retinal. How long will it takes to recover ? Will there any side effect to the vision after the treatment
2) How successful will this treatment to avoid to the thin area to form tears.
3) In general, do people do the laser treatment to fix thin area or rather wait until there are tear is formed. Will successful rate will be higher will the laser is done earlier.

Thanks

Taurus

[JohnHaganMD]

You are welcome

[Jolimadam]

Dear Dr John Hagan,

Thank you so much for your answer!

Regards
Jolimadam

[JohnHaganMD]

Dr. O no longer answers questions on the forum. First not every case of lattice and floaters needs laser. I have lattice and floaters and have never had laser. But what is done is done. Your observation has been described numerous times before in these forums following laser, freezing (cryotherapy), retina surgery such as scleral buckle for retinal detachment and macular surgery. The laser creates a thermal burn and subsequent scar formation that hopefully will seal holes or thin areas. However it also stimulates the retina and can generate bright spots (positive images) and darks spots (negative images) usually 180 degrees away from the treated area. Usually these get better over weeks to months. You can use the search feature to read more extended discussions.  

[Estiefairy]

I have been diagnosed with  Retina  thinning of right eye on last checkup. Have astigmatism as well.  My retina specialist and optometrist are puzzled. No tears or lattice. Would microcurrent treatments work in regenerating cells to thicken retina?  Or laser?

[JohnHaganMD]

You would need to know diagnosis. If its lattice, which it likely is, then it's nothing unusual and found in 8% of population. I have lattice both eyes. Very few need treatment. Use the search feature and read about it. Confirm it is lattice.

[eyedetector]

i have sudden increase of floaters and my retina specialist wants me to do the laser to thicken it. I also have high astigmatism and myopia. Now I am concerned of those side effects, but dark spots after laser surgery should go away after certain amount of times, doctor, is it correct? But the doctor above said do not do laser surgery for retina thinning so.. I am not sure?
or is my case different because floaters are suddenly increasing?

[JohnHaganMD]

Retina cases are all unique and different.  I would strongly suggest you proceed with the treatment outlined by your retina surgeon. The risk of laser vs the risk of retinal detachment is strongly in favor of treating. With high myopia you are at high risk of RD.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Retinal tears or holes.

Dr. O.

[taurus1203]

Dr. O
Just want to clarify. Do you mean
"8 to 10 % of the population have retinal thin ...." or retinal tears.

Basically, you agree with what I heard that no solid evidence showing that a laser treatment can effectively stop tears. It may be more worthwhile to do the treatment when there is actually a tear happen. Do you agree ?

Thanks
Taurus

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

8 to 10 % of the population have retinal tears on autopsy studies.

There are only a few prospective studies.  The best one from the 70's found that 35% of acute retinal tears (horseshoe tears--NOT hole) lead to detachment.  That means 65% do not lead to detachment.  The complications of treatment are macular pucker (epiretinal membrane) and retinal detachment (together 5%). Retinal tears without symptoms (flashes and floater-or a sudden change in floaters) rarely lead to retinal detachment.    

Most patients with thin areas of the retina have lattice degeneration.  Unfortunately, retinal tears occur in areas outside of lattice.   Therefore to prevent a tear, the entire peripheral retina has to be lasered.  This increases the chance of complications such as macular pucker.   I have removed cataracts in patients with multiple old horseshoe tears without have a retinal detachment.  One engineer who had a acute retinal tear about 5 years ago decided to have it followed against my advice and he did not develop a retinal detachment.  4 years later I removed his cataract without a problem.

Unfortunately, there is a benefit to the doctor for treatment and a questionable benefit to the patient.

Dr. O.

[Jolimadam]

Dr. O
I had seen a retinal specialist as I started seeing floaters which occurred for just a few minutes each time they appear. The doctor said that I had lattice degeneration with thinning retina and recommended laser to thicken the area and prevent retinal tear in the future as he had treated my father with retinal holes before. He said it is genetic. I did laser on that very day and started seeing some cloudy or blurry spot which is somewhere on my lower lid. It is there most of the time since the day I did laser. I went back to him and he said its entoptic phenomenon even before checking my eye. I requested him to do a thorough check-up so after pupillary dilation he again said its entoptic phenomenon and if I stop trying to find something wrong with my eye, I will stop seeing things.
After reading your answers I regret taking action straight away before checking for second or third opinion.
What can it possibly be that I'm seeing?

Distressed

[taurus1203]

Correction of the original comment


Dr Oyakawa:
Would you mind give me some advice on why don't you recommend ? Is it because of the side effect ? Or the chance of a thin retinal develop to retinal tears and then retinal detachment is small ?
I also heard that there is no solid statistic  to support that the laser treatment  can effectively stop the a retinal thin to develop to tears. Is it true ?
Thanks

Wilson

[taurus1203]

Dr Oyakawa:
Would you mind give me some advice on why don't you recommend ? Is it because of the side effect ? Or the chance of a thin retinal develop to retinal tears and then retinal detachment is small ?
I also heard that there is solid statistic  to support that the laser can effectively stop the a retinal thin to tears. Is it true ?
Thanks

Wilson

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I would not recommend laser treatment for area of retinal thinning.  Get a second opinion from a retinal specialist.

Dr. O.