Questions/Concerns about retinal hole.......

[2johndeereboys]

Back in Sept 2015 I got DX'd with idiopathic pars planitis in my right eye. I had no symptoms, I just went in for my annual eye exam. My eye Dr actually thought I had a torn retina and sent me to a retinal specialist and he DX'd me with PP.

Now  about 3 or 4 weeks ago I started see flashes of light in my left eye. It doesn't happen everyday. So I made an appointment to see my regular eye Dr. I saw her last Thursday (1/7/16). She did a dilated exam and said the PP in my right eye looked  the same as it did in Sept so no change there. And she saw a small hole in my retina in my left eye.

So I am going back to see the same retinal specialist I saw in Sept for another dialated exam and if the retinal hole is confirmed, possible laser surgery. I have had problems with both my eyes when I was 9.....I had allergies set up in my eyes and had to have shots in both my eyes to save my eyesight. And my dad has actually had a detached retina and had to have 3 separate laser surgeries to repair it.
My appointment with the specialist is this Thursday (1/14/16) and I am just wondering what to expect. Is there any pain involved? How long does the procedure take? What can I expect after the procedure is done? How will my vision be? And how in the world did this happen in the first place?

Thanks in advance for any replies!!
Lisa

[JohnHaganMD]

This is a link to an article on PP and MS  http://www.hindawi.com/journals/joph/2014/565262/

[JohnHaganMD]

The cause of pars planitis is unknown. You should know that PP is associated with multiple sclerosis and you and your physicians should keep this in mind It doesn't mean you will get MS but the risk is 8-12% but higher in you having it in both eyes and ever higher if you are female. The retinal hole is a different deal. WIth your family history of RD the retina specialist may opt to close the hold with laser or a freeing treatment. They are generally not extremely painful and generally not affect vision. Generally done in office and usually take less than 20 minutes. It is likely the problems you had at age 9 were related to PP and you should ask the retina surgeon about that also about the relationship of PP with MS and if any special tests are recommended.