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01-18-2021 12:10 PM
I had retina detachment surgery in September 2020. A gas bubble was injected and recovery was fairly straightforward at first with bubble becoming smaller, then my vision began to worsen and I feared a redetachment. A follow-up appt confirmed my fears and I was scheduled for a second surgery in October (about a month after the first surgery). This time a silicone gel was inserted.
At the time I believed the gel would be removed in due time and my vision largely restored. Three subsequent doctor appts have left me doubtful of a return to good vision. I am told the gel will stay in indefinitely and may need to occasionally be changed.
Also, doctor remarks such as "Well, you can see better now, can't you" have left me in a state of limbo. Any suggestions, advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and good luck to all my fellow suffers.T
Steve from Georgia
01-18-2021 12:13 PM
I don't have any suggestions except to see another doctor outside of that practice (maybe associated with a medical school?), but I will pray for your vision to be restored. I just wanted you to know I read your post and hear your fears.
01-18-2021 12:29 PM
I never had a detached retina, but I did have a tear. It was no picnic. I was told the retina in my other eye will probably tear as well....I am waiting, but praying that won't happen.
I have a friend who had a detached retina and like you he had touch and go vision with complications for a while. That was three years ago, and he is doing well and his eyesight is okay, not perfect, but okay.
I wish you the best and speedy recovery.
01-18-2021 12:33 PM
I, too, would encourage you to find another doctor for a second opinion. Perhaps you have a premier medical facility in your area? Or as another poster suggested, someone associated with a medical school -- even if you have to travel.
I remember when I was in high school (1950's) my mother had a detached retina and she had surgery. She was in the hospital a month but the surgery was a success.
Good luck to you and a really hope you can find a physician who can help.
01-18-2021 12:46 PM
You should be seeing a retina specialist....is your doctor one? My mom suffered a detached retina some years before her death and she always saw a doctor who was a specialist.
01-18-2021 05:51 PM
Another poster has had a long recovery from this same surgery. Perhaps she can offer you some words of wisdom.
@RinaRina is who I think it is.
01-19-2021 07:45 AM
I had a detached retina a couple years ago. I was referred to a retina specialist in another city and had surgery. I understand what you're going thru, even tho my problems were very different. My gas bubble dissolved totally after 2 1/2 months. But after the retina was re-attached with surgery, I have a 'wrinkle' in my retina that creates a small blind spot with continuing eye discomfort off and on. I see my retina surgeon and my usual opthamologist every few months. Both have told me that my 'wrinkle' may flatten and give me normal vision over time -- or my vision could get worse. Nobody knows - it's up to Mother Nature. And, of course, I keep getting older.
Most people sail thru retina surgery with no problems at all. Some of us don't. All I know is that I never want to go thru that surgery again ever! I still have nightmares about it.
Where's @BirkiLady ? I thank her for supporting me thru my after-surgery healing.
01-19-2021 08:40 AM
01-19-2021 03:35 PM - edited 01-19-2021 04:01 PM
@RSAKKA I had retina surgery on 1/07/2020. Like others have mentioned, my Opthomologist sent me to a retina surgeon. He was excellent and specialized in such surgeries.
In my return visits, other patients mentioned stories just like other posters have mentioned above. Thus, I'm convinced any eye surgery is problematic but certainly an option worth taking. As a result, my surgeon told me it could be as long as a year for my eye to heal completely. I have recently had my follow-up appointment and he wants to see me again in April. He agrees that eye didn't come through as well as expected. I'm happy to have any eyesight!
Like another poster I have had "ripples" on my retina for many years and he continues to watch them. So far, no invasive surgery is warranted at my age (72). At this point, I doubt I'd go for it. I'd do the retina surgery on the other eye, if necessary, but this eye isn't worth further surgery IMO.
As far as the retina surgery itself, it was a piece of cake! Easiest surgery I've ever had; no pain; I walked out to my son's truck (no dizziness or problems with the sun), and decided I wanted to be home alone to recover. Sleeping with my head down for that first week all the time was awkward, but it was doable. It's funny now how I complained about it at the time!
I'd recommend the surgery to anyone. It literally saved my eyesight; I had a hole in my retina as well and vision was compromised. I'm able to see again (not as well), but so grateful for that.
ETA: Remember, NO flying or trips to the mountain for a year following retina surgery!
ETA #2: It seems both my Opthomologist and retina surgeon felt there may be a connection between cataract surgeries and later retina problems. I had had cataract surgeries seven years on one eye (no problems) and two years prior with the resulting retina problems. It's interesting to talk to other patients, as well. At the time, I didn't know anyone else who had gone through retina surgery and received some answers on this Board.
@tototwo Thanks for putting my name out there. I've not been checking here much in 2021. This was a good question and it's a surgery that seems to becoming more and more necessary. Hope you are doing well.
01-19-2021 05:10 PM
I had my first retina detachment in 2014 after surgery to get rid of floaters. It detached three more times in the next four months. Always ir was emergency surgery and air bubbles inserted. My air bubbles alsway dissipated faster than the doctor wanted. Within two weeks.
The last surgery silicone oil was inserted. I now have virtually no vision in that eye. I can see bits of light, maybe. After seven years of being blind in one eye, I still find that depth perception is a challenge. Usually with curbs or stairs that I am not familiar with. I will pray for you to have a better recovery and outcome than I experienced.
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