Question about having an RD in “other eye” after having a RD

[Amcdgc49]

Dr Hagan
I had laser surgery a year and half ago for partial retina detachment.  I had recent 6 month checkup and all looked good. My retina doc said that my unaffected eye looks very good and while he can’t guarantee anything he said he wouldn’t be surprised if hat eye never has a TD or tear...again I know there are no guarantees. I have talked with people that have had RD and they said their retina docs told them “when one eye goes the other will eventually go”...my retina doc says in his experience it’s about 5-10% that other eye has detachment or tears.  I guess, what I’m asking in your professional  experience do you feel that most people that suffer a RD will then have one in other eye?  I guess I was happy to hear good news from my retina doc then depressed to hear what others have been told.  
Thanks for your time

[xltjim]

I had an RD last October in my left eye 3 weeks after being diagnosed with PVD.   Resulted in vitrectomy with a cataract that appeared right away.  Some complications, inflammation, and it took 6 months to at least feel good again.  Right after I scheduled cataract surgery and had my good eye checked by cataract surgeon as part of new patient exam, I noticed distortion in my good eye.  "DANG IT", I thought.  Went back to my retina surgeon immediately who said I have a PVD in process in my right eye (the good one) now.   Went ahead with the cataract removal in the left eye since it was pretty much useless anyway.  The key is to monitor both eyes -- report anything new to your Eye MD.  Get an eye MD that you feel comfortable with.  My retina Dr. has a very good outlook on things.  When he could tell I was very upset and that I was feeling that I may be going through the whole RD process again on my good eye, he basically said....."Jim....the retina may detach, most likely it won't.  But we will partner together and watch it.  I am here for you just call the office, or if we are closed the answering service and one of the on call docs will call you back.  The goal is that if it does detach to catch it as early as possible".   So, I am now recovering very well from cataract repair with a different ophthalmologist, but keeping a watchful "eye" on my good eye.  I spend a lot of time traveling to a vacation home 3 hours away, I already have checked local hospitals in the area for ophthalmologists availability..  I just like to know I have options for when/if this happens to catch it early.  Live life as you always have, just be vigilant to any anomalies and have a plan "just in case".  Just my opinion....Best of luck to you.   Jim

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

Thanks for posting your story.  Glad you have done well.

[MrPresley]

My own experience was much like that of @xltjim, in that I had a vitrectomy/ERM peel in my left eye after sudden onset of visual symptoms followed by subsequent cataract removal 18 months later. The end result was essentially full restoration of my pre-surgery visual acuity.
My right eye has been diagnosed with macular pucker as well, but thus far is non-symptomatic other than a few floaters so my retinal specialist advises doing nothing as long as it remains that way. He does not indicate that I will be likely to need surgery for it in the future, but I am prepared for it should that change.  I visit his office every 6 months and have a full dilated exam and OCT performed on both eyes, as well as retinal photography performed once a year. There was a peripheral horseshoe tear in the retina that was successfully laser treated during my first office visit, and there is a baby cataract in that eye as well.

[JohnHaganMD]

As always thanks for the post Mr P

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

Your retina eye MD is right on the money. The risk i quote most people for risk of RD in second eye after first eye has RD in 5-10%.  So 90-95% chance you will NOT have RD in fellow eye.  One of the risks of talking to "people" you can and do hear anything and everything.