Laser retinopexy for retinal tears
What is retinal laser retinopexy?
Laser retinopexy is sealing the retinal tear with 1-2 rows of laser surrounding the torn retina which prevents the tear form enlarging or causing a retinal detachment or the ‘camera film’ of the eye from detaching.
Cryotherapy for retinal tears also seals the retina but utilises a lower temperature to freeze the retina to prevent the retinal tear from extending, thereby preventing a retinal detachment. It is used mainly for retinal tears which are more anterior and not easily accessible for laser retinopexy.
How is the treatment done?
You will be given drops to dilate the pupil and which take 20-30 minutes to work. Laser retinopexy performed by sitting at in front of a laser machine and the doctor performing the procedure with explain the procedure and answer all questions that you may have related to the procedure. A small contact lens is placed on the eye and it takes 15-20 minutes to complete the treatment.
What are the risks?
The most common risk of laser treatment for retinal tears is transient visual blurring which may last for a few days. The eyedrops used to dilate the pupils to enable laser treatment, also cause blurred vision.
Is it painful?
Anaesthetic eyedrops are instilled to numb the eye prior to placing the contact lens and carrying out laser treatment for retinal tears.
What can I expect following treatment?
Your vision may be blurred for a few hours following the cryotherapy for retinal tears but will revert to normal afterwards. You may return to normal activity immediately after the laser retinopexy procedure although the dilating drops take 4-6 hours to wear off.
How long does the treatment last?
The laser retinopexy and cryotherapy treatments are permanent and should last for the area that was treated unless a new tear occurs.
Our Treatments and Price List
| New patient consultation | £320 |
| Follow up appointment | £280 |
LASER RETINOPEXYÂ
| One eye | £280 |
| Both eyes | £750 |
CRYORETINOPEXY (CRYO)
| One eye | £550 |
| Both eyes | £750 |
If you would like to discuss Ophthalmology treatments, please get in touch with a member of our team
