How long does it take for the gas bubble to dissolve after macular hole surgery?

[Monica19815]

I am having surgery for a tiny, full thickness macular hole in my right eye on Thursday.  The hole is so small that my vision is barely affected.  I went to my annual ophthalmology exam thinking I  just needed glasses or contacts for a small "tweak" to have perfect vision again.  I was shocked to hear I had a macular hole.  I had cataract surgery in both eyes in 2013 and have intraocular lenses (I believe that is the correct term). I also have a lot of floaters...always have...so they will do a vitrectomy and peeling during the surgery this week.  I cannot maintain face down positioning due to having had a 3 level fusion in my cervical spine in 2015, although I did purchase a special pillow to assist in face down positioning when I am sitting in a chair, which I will top with my travel pillow for comfort and see how that goes.

The surgeon will place a large gas bubble in my eye since I cannot do the positioning (or am no guaranteed to be able to do it).  She does not use silicone in her surgeries.  I do not yet know what type of gas bubble she will use (and she is not sure, either, until she gets in there and sees what is really going on!)  but she told me not to go above 2500 feet in altitude for 8 weeks after the surgery.  Eight weeks is 56 days.  I get to visit my son once a year because he lives 2 days' travel away...in the Green Mountains of Vermont!  I am going to see him 53 days after surgery.  His home is well below my elevation restriction but I am not sure if we would go above 2500 feet on the way to his home from PA.  My question is....what is the average time for a gas bubble to dissolve so that it is safe to travel without having to worry about elevation?  I know the websites all say 6 to 8 weeks if the higher density gas is used....is this accurate based on real situations of other patients?  Even if the gas bubble was all but gone at 53 days out, is it still dangerous to dip above the elevation restriction?  

[DianaMark]

I had started a these on this back in May when I had my victrectomy.  i had the short acting bubble I think sf6. Mine lasted 2 weeks and 1 day. I had trouble with face down too.

[Monica19815]

Thank you SO much for your answer!  This is the "loneliest" surgery I have ever had because not a lot of people have this surgery so I really appreciate your response.  May I ask....did you DO face down or ditch it at some point?  What is your vision like now?  Was your surgery a success?  Thanks again!

[JohnHaganMD]

The short acting bubble is filtered air, the long acting bubble is SF6,  the permanent bubble is silicon oil.

[DianaMark]

My macular hole surgery was successful. My hole closed in 24 hours.  I was in severe pain in my neck and back so I only did face down 24 hourd. Then haf the time for next 3 days. My vision only improved 20 points. Can only improve anther 10 to 20 pts. I have other eye probrnù|. I hope that helps.

[JohnHaganMD]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[Monica19815]

Diana...I anticipate the same experience.  My vision is still quite good in the surgery eye...20/50, I think.  I hardly notice the hole at all...just a very minor distortion.  So I hope the surgery does not make my vision worse!  It sounds like your surgery...even without the required face down...was a success if your vision did get better after surgery. I now wonder how many patients forgo the surgery due to the face down "requirement" as it were.  SO many people cannot physically do this without great harm to their neck and back.  I truly hope that retina specialists everywhere are working hard to come up with an alternative method of closing macular holes. I read where one doctor has had success using 3 different eye solutions off-label as eye drops.  Wow...wonderful if this could help a lot of patients!

[JohnHaganMD]

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