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Long term vision expectations after vitrectomy

So, I am nearing two years from my left eye RD and vitrectomy followed with Cataract surgery.  Eight months from my right eye RD (5 tears) followed cataract surgery 3 months ago.  Both of these were macula on.  I am blessed and very fortunate to be able to see and am quite pleased with the results.  The good thing is I only have a couple small floaters where before I had quite a few large ones.

I will say though, that my vision is not like it used to be and I have a few strange symptoms which they haven't been able to explain.  2 Opthalmologists (one retina, one cataract), 1 Neuro opthalmologist, GP.

Still have almost daily flickering spot in left eye, which goes away in 30 minutes or less.  Seems bright lights or being outside while taking my 6 mile walks sets it off.  If I go out in bright sunlight without sunglasses to do some work on garden or whatever, I sometimes get a small grey spot in central right eye.  Goes away in a few minutes and certainly not every day (can't duplicate).  The thinking from all the doctors after macula oct, FA, dilated exams, complete physical, is ocular migraines or some damage from the trauma of RD/repairs.  They say give it time and nothing is apparent from the exams.

My conclusion is that unless something changes, I am considering this the new normal and baseline.  I am on 6 month followup with my retina doctor and have trust that if there is something serious going on, he would see it.    Very lucky to have found a retina doctor that I really like.  Need to be watchful but get on with my life just the same.   (This means no more googling symptoms..LOL)

I would be curious as to how others have come along after a few years from vitrectomy / RD repair / cataract surgeries.  Anything that bothers you but can't get explanation?

Regards,  Jim
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Avatar universal
One other thing I wanted to ask about.  I do have a few floaters after all this which the doctor said was normal.   Mostly black or clear dots here and there.  Nothing at all like when my issues started and am thankful for that.  What I do notice is sometimes the floaters aren't even noticeable at all (happy for that).  Other times it seems that I see a completely new one pop up out of the blue, or one with completely different characteristics like a black dot with squiggly tail - attention getter.    Dr. do your patients report situations like these after long term post vitrectomy?  Was just at the MD for 6 month checkup and said all looks good.   I don't see a shower of floaters, flashes, or anything like that.  More "new normal" and perhaps leftover debris from the RD ?    Regards, Jim
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This is the norm for people with floaters. I have floaters in both eyes including Weiss Ring LE. Most time's I"m completely unaware of them. But often when patients tell me about their floaters I become aware of my own. And I can always see them if I look into blue sky and move my eyes.  Becoming aware and unaware of things in our body is common and normal: Hearing our heartbeat, feeling our clothes, etc.
I have a black dot floater and a couple of clear ones occasionally in my LE which had the vitrectomy/ERM peel and subsequent cataract surgery.  All are tiny, and my vitrectomy was performed what will soon be three years ago.  The clear dots only appeared after the cataract surgery, and there initially were more of them that mostly disappeared after a month or two.
Thanks again fellas.   The latest new one freaked me out (black dot with black tail).  Makes me hyper aware of the rest of them all over again.  New one  seems to be on hiatus though now.  All good otherwise though.   I suspect some debris from my surgeries broke loose.  If I see more of them I am calling to be sure.  Have a great summer day, it's gorgeous day in the chicago area.  No rain for a couple days now finally.
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Avatar universal
Hi Jim - It's been just over one year since my RD.  On June 7, 2018, 11:40am that friggin' gas bubble finally vanished and, yes, I remember the date and time haha.  November of 2018 I had a retinal tear repaired in the other eye with laser.  Cataract surgery was done on the RD eye in January 2019.    All successful procedures.  I have the same type of "thing" going on that you do.  Sometimes I'll see a thin strip of a strobe like light on the eye that had the tear.  At night I'm convinced I'm missing just a tad bit of vision around that same spot.  Just a thin line of darkness that's hardly noticeable any other time.  On the RD eye with the new lens (cataract replacement) I can sometimes "see" the edge of the lens on the outer corner of my vision.   Different room lighting means different visuals.   I remain forever grateful that my sight was saved (along with my sanity) and I'm hopeful these eyes will stay "good" the rest of my life now.  I'm also forever grateful to Dr. Hagan and this community!  Now, let me tell you about my aching back (it's always something!!)
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Thank you everyone!  Yep, it sounds like the new normal and extremely thankful for what I have and for the modern medicine and doctors.  We would have been blind if not for them.  Also...MJCG - yes I also have an aching back.  LOL.  Take care.  Jim
Best of luck to both of you. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Avatar universal
I had noticeable flickering in bright sunlight or under fluorescent lights for maybe two months after cataract surgery for my LE in March of 2017, but I either adapted to it or it disappeared since. A couple of tiny clear floaters, like bubbles, have remained since the cataract surgery.
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Thanks for comments
177275 tn?1511755244
Unless you have a family or personal history of migraine I think it unlikely these are ocular migraine.  I have had other post RD surgery patients have similar observations. I believe its due to damage to parts of your retina from RD, surgery, laser and cryotherapy. I would just accept as new normal unless something else develops in which case discuss with your Eye MDs. -
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