Retinal tears are usually tacked down with a laser if they are deemed high risk by your eye doctor. Cryotherapy involves freezing the retina to tack it down. It leaves a scar that stabilizes tears and holes. If you suspect that you have a retinal detachment, you should seek treatment immediately. The retinal tissue that is detached will die within 24 hours so swift action is imperative.
Detachments tend to occur after trauma, such as surgery or a fall.
The elderly are most often affected.