What Happened To Savannah Guthrie’s Eye?

Earlier this week, People Magazine reported that Today show host Savannah Guthrie suffered a retinal tear after her young son, Charley, threw a toy that hit her in the eye. Per her account of the ongoing treatment, it also sounds like she had a vitreous hemorrhage, which means that there was blood in the “jelly” inside her eye. This would have occurred if a blood vessel crossed the area of the retina that tore, which would result in the blood vessel tearing as well.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Retinal Tear?

The most common symptoms associated with a retinal tear are “flashes and floaters”, which means seeing little lightning-like flashes in one’s vision (often off to the side and more noticeable in the dark) and black “specks” floating through one’s visual field. As in Savannah’s case, decreased vision can also result if the tear is associated with bleeding inside the eye.

Is A Retinal Tear The Same Thing As A Retinal Detachment?

No. However, a retinal tear can lead to a retinal detachment, which is what makes the identification and treatment of a retinal tear time-sensitive. This is because a retinal tear can allow the fluid inside the eye to get under the retina and detach it, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

How Is A Retinal Tear Treated?

A retinal tear is most commonly fixed by laser surgery, which involves an ophthalmologist using a laser to seal or “weld” down the retina around the tear, thus isolating it and preventing fluid from entering the tear and causing a detachment to develop. In some cases, cryotherapy is used to freeze the adjacent tissue and accomplish the same goal as laser therapy. If a retinal tear progresses to a retinal detachment, surgery is often required to repair it. This carries more risk than in-office laser, including infection, bleeding, and cataract formation.