If I had PRK to fix nearsightedness am I still at risk for retinal tears?
NOV 08, 2016
Question:
I’m nearsighted and had PRK surgery a couple months ago. Before the surgery, they found retinal tears in both eyes. They told me this is more common in nearsighted eyes. The tears were repaired before the PRK surgery. Now that I’m no longer nearsighted, is there still a risk of retinal tears/detachments? Also, can you explain why nearsighted eyes have more risk for tears and detachments? Also, as I am a pilot, do high altitudes increase the risk?
Answer:
Although your eyes are not optically nearsighted (myopic) after the PRK, they still behave biologically as though you were still nearsighted. This is because PRK just changes the surface of the eye similarly to a contact lens. The inside of your eye still has the features of a myopic eye. Therefore, you remain at risk for problems such as retinal tears and retinal detachment. However, the fact that you received treatment for retinal tears decreases the chance you will have further problems.
Myopic eyes are bigger than normal eyes. As a result, the retina is thinner than in normal eyes. A thinner retina has a greater chance of tearing. Also, myopic eyes have a higher incidence of a condition called lattice degeneration which is a focal thinning of the retina and is a risk factor for retinal tears and retinal detachment.
Changes in altitude do not increase the risk of a retinal tear or retinal detachment.