Retinal Detachment

[hkkmfaith]

My wife saw flashes and floaters. Ophthalmologist found a hole at the upper right corner of the retina and did a laser surgery on 2/19. On 2/21, I drove her to see the ophthalmologist again since she still saw flashes and got more floaters. Ophthalmologist explained that she sealed the area and made scars around the hole. However, the hole was near a blood vessel and lifted up. The floaters moved to the center. She said the chance to take freezing and buckling was 50/50. My wife was asked to restrict activities.

What causes the hole's lift up after surgery ?
Is it normal to have more floaters and flashes after laser surgery ? How do we know it is healing or going worse ?
I asked her to sit or lie in bed all day. Does it help her to recover ? Could she do normal chores ? (eg. cooking, washing dishes, reading etc.)

Thanks

Worried husband

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Could be due to some bleeding in vitreous, or could be due to large cloudy vitreous floaters.  Ask your doctor to find out which.  The central retina should be unaffacted by peripheral retinal tear.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[AnnaE]

It is important that you ask ask her doctor these questions, or even better, a retinologist who has seen your wife's eyes.

Ask them both in fact. Sounds like she needs to see a retinologist. The doctors here might also give you some feedback.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It appears hat laser retinopexy did not effectively seal the retinal break - so in that case the surgeon usually goes to plan B which could be cryotherepy, pneumatic retinopexy with cryo or more laser, or scleral buckling procedure.  It is very advisable for your wife to restrict activites as much as possible and do exactly what the retinal surgeon says.  If you have specific questions about activities - call your surgeon ( I don't know the specifics of your case.) The only way you will know how it is doing is when the retinal specialist looks at it in the office.  Please follow instructions as directed and this situation should be able to be resolved.  Thankfully there is not a  major detachment.  You mentioned some lay terms that I didn't understand so I am not exactly clear what the situation is at present.  If you have a board-certified, fellowship trained retinal specialist - then you should be in good hands.  If you don't then strongly consider finding one.  Can check AAO.org to find one.  I wish you well.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[hkkmfaith]

We are waiting for the HMO to find a retinal specialist since there is no one in our medical group. We hope we can get the referral by tomorrow noon. May I know what might cause bleeding in vitreous or large cloudy vitreous floaters ?

Thanks

[hkkmfaith]

My wife vision is blurred and she can't read the books at a normal distance. Is it normal after the surgery ?  Is the blurred vision related to the surgery or a syndrome indicating some changes of retina ?

Thanks