Retinal Tear
What Are Retinal Tears?
Retinal tears occur when part of the retina separates from the outer layers of the eye. If not treated promptly, retinal tears may lead to retinal detachment, a medical emergency that can cause rapid loss of vision.
Retinal Tear Symptoms
Retinal tears are mostly painless. Some symptoms include:
•Sudden increase in the number of floaters
•Eye flashes or a “curtain” effect
Early detection and treatment can help to prevent retinal tears from getting worse.
Risk Factors
•Family history of retinal detachment
•Severe myopia
•Previous eye injuries
•Age (over 40 years old)
Retinal Tear Symptoms
Retinal tears are mostly painless. Some symptoms include:
- Sudden increase in the number of floaters
- Eye flashes or a “curtain” effect
Early detection and treatment can help to prevent retinal tears from getting worse.
Risk Factors
- Family history of retinal detachment
- Severe myopia
- Previous eye injuries
- Age (over 40 years old)
FAQ
Yes, vision can often be recovered after a retinal tear if it is found early and treated swiftly.
A retinal tear is considered a serious condition because, if left untreated, it can develop into a detached retina, which can result in permanent visual loss.
No, a torn retina does not usually heal on its own. To avoid difficulties, medical intervention is frequently required.
A retinal tear requires immediate medical treatment. Delaying treatment increases the risk of retinal detachment and permanent visual loss. The longer it is left untreated, the worse the consequences will be.
The most common reason is ageing, which causes the vitreous gel in the eye to shrink and pull away from the retina, resulting in a tear. Other causes include trauma, diabetic retinopathy, and excessive degrees of myopia.
Although recovery times vary, patients may endure discomfort and blurred vision for a few days. It may take several weeks to heal completely.
Possible side effects of laser treatment for retinal tears include momentary impaired vision, pain, and light sensitivity. Serious consequences are uncommon, however they can include infection or worsening of the retinal disorder.
Yes, patients can usually resume normal activities, including walking, quickly following retinal tear laser surgery. However, it is critical to follow the surgeon’s post-operative recommendations and avoid intense activity for a certain amount of time.
A retinal tear is not the same as a retinal detachment. A retinal tear, if left untreated, can develop into retinal detachment, a more serious condition.
While treatment is generally effective, there is a chance of recurrence. Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring and early detection.
Our Retinal Conditions Specialist
Dr. Wong Chee Wai
MBBS (Singapore), M.Med (OPHTH), FAMS (Ophth)
MCI (Singapore), PHD (UTRECHT)
Senior Consultant | Eye Surgeon
Sub-specialties: Retinal Conditions, Cataracts
Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Fellowship Trained Specialist
Former Consultant at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)
Former Clinical Lead of the High Myopia Clinic at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)
Started the Surgical Retina Service at Sengkang Hospital
Former Assistant Professor at the Duke-NUS Medical School
- Dr Wong Chee Wai was awarded 3 gold medals for Best Candidate in Cornea
- and Refractive, Neuro-ophthalmology and Ethics in the Eye Specialists’ Exit exam
- Research Training Fellowship Award, National Medical Research Council (2017)
Dr Wong obtained his Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the National University of Singapore. He completed his Basic and Advanced Specialist Training in Ophthalmology at the Singapore National Eye Centre, obtaining his Master of Medicine (Ophthalmology) qualification from NUS in 2012.
In 2015, he received his specialist accreditation as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS) as the top candidate in the Specialist Exit examination in Ophthalmology, where he was awarded 3 gold medals for Best Candidate in Cornea and Refractive, Ethics as well as Neuro-ophthalmology. After having obtained his specialist accreditation, he also successfully completed his Vitreoretinal subspecialty fellowship training for both Medical and Surgical Retina at the Singapore National Eye Centre
Dr Wong is also an accomplished researcher, having published more than 60 research articles and holds several research grants in the field of myopia and ocular drug delivery.
Dr Wong has been awarded multiple accolades for his research work, including travel grants, prizes at international ophthalmology conferences and the SingHealth Publish Award in 2015. He also completed the Master’s in Clinical Investigation with NUS in 2015, a PhD in ocular drug delivery with Utrecht University in 2021.
Dr Wong has contributed significantly to training and education in the ophthalmology field, including serving as committee member in the 2nd Asia Pacific Tele-Ophthalmology Society Congress in 2018, 32nd Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in 2017, the 29th Singapore-Malaysia joint meeting in Ophthalmology in 2014 and the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Meeting in 2013. He has been invited to present lectures at international and regional meetings in India, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. He has also served as Instructor for a course on retina conditions at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual meeting in 2016, and
He also served as SNEC’s deputy director of undergraduate education since 2018 and was the program director of the Duke NUS graduate medical school’s ophthalmology program.
Dr Wong is also actively involved in the local ophthalmology community as a committee member of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmologists since 2013, and the Chair of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmologists Young Ophthalmologist’s Chapter since January 2020. As part of an ongoing effort to deliver eyecare to underprivileged communities in Singapore, Chee Wai and his team have screened more than 3000 low income elderly patients, performed free cataract surgery and helped many of them regain useful vision. These efforts have received media coverage, awards and recognition from national agencies. He has also been invited to international and regional meetings to speak on Singapore’s community outreach efforts and experience in building the Young Ophthalmologists community. His efforts have been recognized at the regional level, having been appointed to the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s Young Ophthalmology Standing Committee in September 2020. He is also an active member of the Asia Pacific Young Ophthalmologists, a group comprising of YO leaders from the Asia Pacific Region.
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