vision loss in upper left quadrant of eye following macular hole surgery

[frankja]

I had posted this question previously.  Now my optometrist and a cataract specialist did a test where my peripheral vision is tested.  Both determined that I had permanent vision loss in the area I described in my previous note.  Since I had no problems before the surgery, I am relating this to the surgery.  The surgeon has not seen me after I described the lines, but he made my follow-up visits with his associate.

White lines in upper left quadrant when eyes closed
by frankja, Feb 09, 2010 02:19PM
I was diagnosed with a macular hole and had a vitrectomy on Dec 17.  The surgeon said the gas bubble is gone and the hole is repaired.  When I look with that eye, my vision is hazy across the entire eye but seems darker in the upper left quadrant of the eye, next to my nose (right eye).  When I close my eyes, i can see white-lined designs in that darkened area.  It is not visual migraine, since I had had that several times in previous years.  I came out of the surgery with increased eye pressure (2 weeks after surgery) and was prescribed drops (lumigan) , but when I was examined 3 weeks later the pressure was normal so I was told to stop the drops.  When I mentioned the darker area, he said it was probably the retina adjusting to the surgery.  At that time I did not have the lines, but would lee something like water drops moving down a window.  Now I have white lines/curves in random patterns in that area when I close my eyes and that area appears lighter than the rest of my closed eye which is dark.

Any clues?

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

You're welcome Jim

[frankja]

Thank you for your reply.  Your answer appears to best answer my situation and I feel more confident now that I have an idea what happened and not to fear for the future.

Thanks again!

Jim Frank

[frankja]

Doctor Hagan, I DID have high pressure in that eye when I went in for my first post-op exam (7 DAS).  At that time the Dr prescribed Lumigan drops which I used for 7 days and when I went in for the next visit (14 DAS), the pressure was fine and I was told I could stop the drops.  I have had the pressure checked 2x since then and the pressure was fine.  My question would be, in increased pressure following macular hole surgery common and wouldn't there have been some preventative treatment prior to the surgery to prevent the pressure increase??

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

Assuming the retina MD has looked at your eye and ruled out a retinal detachment, a sectoral retinal artery or vein occlusion, an embolus (blood clot) to the eye the two most common causes would be: visual field damage due to high IOP following surgery or a problem called anterior non arteritic ischemic anterior optic neuropathy.

You can get a second opinion or ask your surgeon about these possible causes.


JCH MD