Laser therapy is a type of treatment used for fixing retinal tears. The session takes about 15-30 minutes. The doctor first checks your vision and dilates the pupil in your affected eye. Drops are used to numb the surface of the eye.
The doctor uses a laser to seal the area around the tear. They may use a headset with a laser or a machine where you rest your chin and look through a lens placed on your eye. You’ll see a flash of light each time the laser seals the retina around the tear. The number of laser spots depends on the size of the tear.
Activity: Ask your doctor if you need to avoid any physical activities.
Pain: The laser treatment may cause mild pain. Tell your doctor if the pain feels stronger than mild.
After treatment, you may have some mild pain or a headache. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol) if needed.
Vision: For the next few days, your vision may be blurred, and you may feel like you are seeing lights. You may also keep seeing floaters. Call the clinic if you notice a shadow or curtain blocking part of your vision.
Who to Call
If you have questions, please contact your provider through MyChart or call your provider listed in your After Visit Summary or After Hospital Care Plan. For a list of UW Health Clinics, visit www.uwhealth.org/.