Using Cryotherapy for Retinal Detachment: Restoring Your Eye's Health
Without treatment, a detached retina can lead to permanent vision loss. Cryotherapy is one of several treatment options for retinal tears and detachment. During the procedure, a freezing probe is used to seal the detached retina back against its supportive tissues, maintaining its proper placement. At Retinal and Eye Specialists of New Jersey, we can diagnose and treat your retinal detachment quickly to preserve your vision. To learn more about the benefits of using cryotherapy for retinal detachment, contact our Morristown office today.
Understanding Retinal Detachment
Your retina lies at the back of your eye, where it receives light that passes through the cornea and lens. It contains photoreceptor cells, called rods and cones, which translate light into signals that your optic nerve delivers to your brain.
Retinal detachment occurs when your retina pulls away from its supportive tissues. When this occurs, it fails to function and can even tear. Once a tear occurs, gel-like vitreous fluid, which fills your eye, begins to leak underneath your retina, further separating it from the underlying tissue and exacerbating the problem.
You may begin to notice flashes of light, floaters, or dark areas in your vision when your retina begins to detach. Retinal detachment should be treated as a medical emergency. A member of our team at Retina & Eye Specialists of New Jersey can diagnose your issue quickly and select the best treatment option. If you are not found to be a good candidate for cryotherapy, our doctors may recommend one of several treatment options including pneumatic retinopexy, laser therapy, or scleral buckling.
The Cryotherapy Procedure
With all forms of retinal detachment treatment, the goal is to reattach the retina to its supportive tissue. This prevents further damage and helps the retina heal. Cryotherapy accomplishes this goal by actually freezing the retina and supportive tissues together, similar to the way laser treatment seals the retina.
Before treatment, your retinal specialist will numb your eye so you remain comfortable. A small, thin probe will be placed on the outside of your eye, adjacent to the location where your retina has pulled away or torn. The cold metal probe will be turned on and seal your retinal tissue to its supportive structure. This type of treatment is ideal if your retina has become detached near the anterior, or front of your eye, because the probe can access it easier. It is also a good option if your vitreous fluid has begun to leak beneath your retina.
Treatment with cryotherapy is very fast, and your appointment will usually take less than an hour. After the procedure is complete, you will be fitted with an eyepatch to wear for several hours after treatment. Your vision should begin to restore itself over the next few days, and you will need to avoid strenuous activity for two weeks.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you have experienced any symptoms of retinal detachment, it is important that you seek treatment immediately. The team at Retinal and Eye Specialists of New Jersey offers fast, effective treatment for all types of retinal conditions. To learn more and schedule an evaluation, contact us today.
