Flashing lights after retinal detachment surgery

[lez9321]

I had retinal detachment surgery just over a week ago now.  A few days ago I started getting flashing lights again (same as the ones I got prior to surgery) at the top corner of my eye.  This started with a few flashes so I went to see my surgeon who checked my eye and said it all looked ok.  But now 4 days later the flashing is on and off all day.  Is this normal? I phoned my local hospital and they said they would see me at the eye clinic on wednesday but I'm worried sick that - a) I have another detachment or b) I will always have these lights flashing and just have to put up with it.  Can you please tell me why I would be getting these lights? and am I right to be worried sick?

I would love to hear from anyone else who's gone through the same thing.

[Judgge]

Hi, Just wanted to say I have some feeling for what you are experiencing, as I have had two detachments in my left eye a week apart,  with scleral buckle, vitrectomy, laser, gas bubble. I hope all goes well with your recovery and any potential surgery. I understand your fears about driving, etc. As of now I can still drive. I am trying to enjoy each day as it comes. Take care.

[KG12345]

Thank you for your thoughts. Though my family and friends are supportive to me as I'm going through this it's difficult to explain what I'm feeling or seeing (or not seeing), so it is nice to have found this board where there are others who have experienced retinal detachments.

[JohnHaganMD]

you can always get a second opinion about surgery on the "good eye". You can use the search feature and archives and read the many posts by people who have had this type of surgery. Experiences vary widely and it is not possible to generalize about your recovery and prognosis.  Family members related by blood are now at a higher risk and you should advise them to see an ophthalmologist. Tell about your problem and see the Eye MD every year.  

[KG12345]

Thank you for your answer. I was adopted and only blood family member I know is my son who is 14. Do you think he's at risk as a teenager or more likely when he's older?

[KG12345]

I had Scleral buckle surgery and cryo repair of 6 holes for macula-off retinal detachment on 4/7, then 11 days later has Vitrectomy with 360 degree laser treatment on same eye as retina was detaching again when went in for 1 week follow-up appointment. It's been 5 days since surgery and vision still extremely blurry, can only see my hand if it's right in front of my eye. However was warned it would be very blurry until gas bubble dissolved and yesterday could not see even my hand so does seem to be starting to get better.  

What I am frightened of now is that this week when checking my other eye surgeon found I also have a detachment in that eye (from 6-8 o'clock). He is recommending Scleral buckle and Vitrectomy as 1 surgery once my right eye heals which he expects to be in ~ 1 month.  I am only in my 40s. He thinks I had detachment in right eye for 6 months and the one in left eye for ~4 months. I didn't have noticeable symptoms in right eye until only 2 weeks prior to the surgery (noticed straight lines looked wavy) and thankfully currently have good vision in the left eye but feel like I have a ticking time bomb there. My surgeon seems confident he will get both of my eyes fixed and I am trying to remain optimistic but still very scared that I will end up with loss of vision that will not allow me to drive or work anymore.  Any positive thoughts or suggestions would be helpful to me. Thank you.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[Rdsurgery]

These answers sound quite scary to me and make my anxiety go up here. Sounds like terrible things have happened to some of you here. Before I had Retinal-Re-Attachment surgery approx three weeks ago, the doctor explained that having the buckle was a harder procedure for him to preform and a harder recovery to the patient, it was unlikely that I would develop cataracts in the left eye in the near future, I gave the doc my opinion that buckle would be my choice if given one, to avoid cataract surgery. Thank the lord, had emergency surgery the same day was put under, recovery was super miserable and difficult painful and since the eye nerve is connected to the stomach nerve, I was throwing up like I was pregnant again. Totally disgusting, a few days later I knew the flashing had not stopped, here I am three weeks later experience ing the same flashes and one more circular flash that lines the bottom of the left eye,and the same flashes I had at the upper inner corner of my eye which I would describe as the ceiling fan type, at my two week check up, the doc said it was not unusual to still see them. Now I'm here seeking answers and feel lucky this is my only problem.

[Letalou]

I had a detached retina, with ZERO symptoms. Had surgery with buckle and gas bubble Nov 24. Result is complete blindness in right eye. Something to do with the anesthesia. Still unclear of what went wrong. Found out 2 days ago that the retina re detached as well! Due to the LADAR6000 malfunctioning 8 years ago and leaving my corneas scarred, without the ability to correct them with glasses, my other eye is not good either. My quality of life has taken a nosedive, without much hope of being a life worth living.

[GrandMarine]

I’m so sorry to read that you’re feeling so low. If your still on this site I hope you have come to terms with your impairment

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Nice sentiments. thanks