How is surgery in retinal detachment?

[tom31026]

Yes I am 15 years old and I am getting nervous, I have surgery on Tuesday. This is my first surgery in my life. I have a retinal detachment and hopefully if anyone knows when will I get my vision back after surgery?

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

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[AnnaE]

I forgot to say I am so happy that you are doing well.

Take it easy.

Anna

PS

I am curious about why no face down.

[AnnaE]

It was hard for me to settle down, too--the face down part was painful; all I could do was listen to NPR for a week. The books I reason aren't on tape. Plus I was traumatized and alone.

With the practice from 5 surgeries, I can now lay face down.

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

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[jivey42]

One last piece of advice, because the sittuation improved so quickly for me, I did something stupid & was working 10-12 hours a day last week (sitting in front of a computer for 95% of that time).  Dumb mistake.  My eye was so bloodshot yesterday it wasn't funny.  I also had some sharp pains, which is what sent me to the dr in the first place.  Regardless of how good you feel physically, remember - you just had a pretty major surgery.  Take it easy and give your eye time to fully heal and rest it often.  Don't ignore the signs of eye strain like I did.  My eye is much better today after lying around most of the day & catching up on my sleep.  I won't make that mistake again!  : )  OK, take care.  I'm off my soapbox now.  ; )

[jivey42]

Hello, I haven't been on here a while.  SO GLAD your surgery went well & the drops helped with the pressure.  As for the "sleepy dirt", I was told to use a warm cloth.  I find that standing in the shower with the warm water gently on my face (eyes tightly shut, of course) helps a lot.  Gentle wiping too.  You'll know when your touch is too hard b/c it will hurt.  
As for me, I went back to the dr yesterday & my gas bubble is now totally gone.  My vision in that eye is at 20/30 which is amazing.  I have double vision when I use both eyes but I can see pretty well using one or the other on its own.  Hang in there, I am almost 4 weeks post-surgery & I am amazed at how quickly things improve!  Best part is that now my gas bubble is gone, my restrictions are lifted - I can fly on an airplane, go to the gym, etc.  And I am less than one month from the day I was diagnosed.  Truly amazing.  My doctor is awesome!  Good luck with your continued recovery!  Adios.  

AnnaE - No, I did not have to lie face down.  In fact, I was told not to lie face down.  I had to lie at a 45 degree angle due to the gas bubble.  Wierd thing is, now I am used to sleeping at that angle and I can't imagine sleeping on a regular pillow now!  I have been sleeping on a Tempu Pedic pillow wedge to keep[ me at the 45 degree angle & I think I may just keep this up!  ; )

[tom31026]

I just got back from the doctor again and the pressure is great and a recovery is on its way.

I can finally take a shower now and no I dont have to face down lie. (They put in a Silicon oil). That is what brought up my pressure.

Yea doctor told me just just tap and break out ward with the mucus and or sleepy dirt.

[AnnaE]

You can blot, not wipe, with sterile cotton or a tissue. Just lightly. You must ask your doctor if you want to do more.

Did you go to the doctor today for a pressure check?

Did the doctor tell you to lie on your stomach?

[tom31026]

yep its back to normal with the pressure. I still have to go back tommorrow for a check up.

Yea still have to take drops though which stinks because it burns

Hey how can you get all that sleepy dirt off your eye? The doctors dont really give great detail?

[AnnaE]

That's great that the pressure is down. Do you go back in tomorrow?

Do they have you lying face down?

Great you can relax. Have some ice cream or whatever you like a lot.

Watch that pressure. It is very important.

Let us know how you are doing.

[tom31026]

oh yea they gave me lots of drops, inflammation which by the way stings like crazy and also alot more to help get my pressure down. Just went in to check my pressure it is good it went down 10 pts. in under an hour, wow. So now I can relax

[AnnaE]

Thanks for writing us back! So good to know you are home. Did they give you some drops?  Write your question on the "ask the doctor" eye care forum! Give the doctor information on drops, etc.

[tom31026]

I just got back on a long day in the doctors office, follwing my surgery. This is because of the pressure and they said it was high. If isnt down by tommorrow I have to go to surgery again and they said they will take out some of the oil.

So my question is this, can the pressure of an eye go down quick by tommorrow you think?

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

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[tom31026]

Surgery was a succes didnt not feel pain afterward which is wierd, must be the meds.

Go back tommorrow for a checkup.

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

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[AnnaE]

What an excellent response to Tom's question. Did you have to lie face down for five days, as I did?

You are so right to tell him to be careful, accept help from others, and follow the mds instructions exactly.

[jivey42]

I had scleral buckling surgery for detached retina 2 weeks ago.  You asked about what it's like right after...although not all surgeries are the same, I will tell you of my experience.  I came home about an hour after the surgery was complete (scleral buckling), less than 1/2 hour after I woke up from anesthesia.  I felt fine. My eye (the left) was patched for the first day & I slept much of the day.  Be sure you have a parent or trusted friend nearby to help you get around.  Although the other eye worked fine, it was just awkward and I was a bit off-balance, partly from the effects of the anesthesia.  I walked into a door trying to get to the bathroom by myself, so learn from my mistake of trying to be too independent before I was ready!  
The next day I went to the surgeon's office & he removed the patch.  He examined the eye & declared it "reattached."   The eye was very swollen & bloodshot, which surprised me for some reason.  (I took pictures with my cell phone & sent them to friends and family members!)  I was put on a regimen of 2 different drops 4 times a day - one is an antibiotic, the other is to keep the eye dilated.  I have a gas bubble in my eye.  I thought I was never going to heal but within just 5 days I was SO much better.  It's amazing how quickly it heals.  Follow your surgeon's instructions TO THE LETTER.  I have never missed a round of drops and am very careful not to bump it, etc.  One week after the surgery I was back at work.  I can see fine out of my right eye, so most of the time I just keep the left shut.  Headaches are common but Tylenol helps.  I know it's scary, but trust that your surgeon knows what he's doing.  This surgery is very effective; many advances have been made over the years.  (A friend of mine said his dad had this same surgery 20 years ago, so you know we are much better off for the experiences of others in the past.)   Right now, it's more annoying than anything else.  I remind myself that I could very well have lost the vision altogether.  I am lucky.  Good luck.  I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, Tom.        

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

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[AnnaE]

Tom,

Both my daughter's retinas detached at 18. It was not an accident. Inherited bad retinas.

She is fine. Ask the doctor if you can play football. If you have other questions, ask to speak to him before surgery. You can call him after, also.

How is you vision in that eye right now?  Do you see a curtain? Talk to anyone who can give you support. I know you are nervous. My daughter and I worried so much over her surgeries. I hope all will be fine. Just speak up and ask your questions of the doctor. Ask your parents to be with you when you ask them, if you want.

Eat right; get good rest. I wish the best for you.

Marianne

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

At some point it is likely they will release you to play basebal. You wil need eye protection for all contact sports.

Final word is your surgeon.

JCH IIMD

[tom31026]

I play baseball for the high school, and I just came out up with a question.

Will I be able to play baseball again, and yes I am wearing googles for the rest of my life for the protection if so?

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

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[tom31026]

What he told me was that I have a detached retina and also said for about 3-4weeks he said that could of been detached. He said for younger adults, like myself, don't catch this because it comes on a later age.

Trama accident to, which caused it but after that accident (baseball to the right temple) was fine, so thats what I mean by coming and reconizeing a little bit later after the accident.(of the detachment)

How is the after surgery like, how do you feel?