Condition and Proposed Treatment
My Ophthalmologist has diagnosed me with a retinal hole that is a tear in the thin membrane inside my eye. This tear can enlarge if not treated and cause a retinal detachment that is a blinding disease.

 

1. Observation: not recommended in most of the cases, can lead to retinal detachment and loss of vision.
2. Freezing method – scaring by freezing around the hole using a cryoprobe. It can cause more inflammation and pain than the laser treatment and it requires hospitalization.
3. Surgery with vitrectomy – required only if the hole is very large and there is retinal detachment around it. Your doctor will be able to determine if this is necessary.

• Pain – mostly during the procedure, subsides after a few minutes to hours.
• More retinal holes – there is a possibility for more holes formation even without laser treatment, we will be monitoring for it.
• Irritation and blurry vision – usually a temporary effect due to placement of a contact lens on the eye in order to visualize the hole in the retina.
• Macular puckering – not a very common complication but any type of surgery in the eye can induce wrinkling of the retina in the back of the eye. Surgery to remove the wrinkle maybe required if vision is compromised.

Anesthesia: Topical drops of Proparacaine

 

Consent for treatment
By signing bellow, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above and have had the opportunity to discuss this information with my doctor to my satisfaction.