Seeing a doctor. It is very important to seek prompt medical attention at the first signs of a possible retinal detachment. The doctor can dilate the eye and use a specialized instrument to determine if a retinal tear or detachment is present. For a retinal tear, the eye surgeon or ophthalmologist may perform an in-office procedure using laser surgery or freezing (cryopexy) to correct the damage. Retinal detachments require surgery to repair. There are different types of surgery depending on the severity of the detachment. After surgery, it can take several months for full vision to return. Some people may need a second surgery to fully restore their vision, and some will have permanent vision loss despite treatment.
