• Question: How can your retina rip and how can you repair it with lasers without damaging the front of the eye?

    Asked by izzyb98 to Tom on 26 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      That sounds painful!

      Visible light travels through the lens and cornea at the front of the eye, which is why we can see. If you used a visible light laser, then you could fire it at the retina without much risk to the other bits. I don’t know how this would repair it though…

Comments

  • Photo: Pip

    Pip commented on :

    I don’t know much about retina ripping, but with my laser it can burn your retina and that can cause it to detach. You need to be treated BEFORE it detaches and then you can prevent it from detaching. Or you can wear laser safety specs and avoid the problem entirely!

  • Photo: Tim

    Tim commented on :

    I think you can cauterise (heat up) retinal bleeds with a laser beam to stop them from getting worse.