Question Title: Exercise after laser to correct retinal tear

I have a question for you; hopefully you can help me.

I just had a retinal tear repaired with laser surgery. The retinal separation was small, although the tear was large.

Details on the tear:
From 3:00 to 5:00, just where the retina starts.
It was several months old, and self sealed.
A routine eye exam revealed it, and it was successfully sealed further with laser.
It did not affect my vision.

My doctor gave me permission to continue running. ( I am a runner). he said the weld should hold, but he could not give me a 100% guarantee. Further, he said that he recommended patients with worse conditions than I had to run, with no problems.

Has anybody you are in contact with had a similar situation, and began running with no problems? If so, please, please, please let me know. I don't want to continue running if that will increase my chance of another tear/separation.

Thank you very much,

Louis C.

The biggest risk of further retinal problems would be from trauma. The trauma of running is not very much on the eye. Direct trauma is the bigger problem. It is also possible that someone who had one retinal tear develop spontaneously can develop further tears. For this reason, you need to maintain continued followup with your ophthalmologist.

I cannot say the risk from running is zero, but I do not think it is much at all. For more specific information about your own case, you would need to be examined.

This information is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.