scleral buckle eye size

[ThaBeasta]

Hello, I recently had a scleral buckle procedure in my right eye on may 1st so its been almost 3 weeks. My eye drops have reduced the redness more and more, however my stitches are still in my eye. My right eye is at about 60% its regular size. I was wondering is this is A). Common, B). A result of my stitches still being in my eye and thus not letting it open fully, or C.) The buckle is what is causing this size difference and my eyes will never be the same again :(. My stitches run horizontal across my eye, but not hitting my lens. Recently one has loosened and thus causes my eyes to water. Though this is not continuous an goes away if I blink a few times.

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

You need to discuss activities with the pediatrician and the ophthalmologist. You need to decide how much of a chance you want to take with an injury to his "good eye. Soccer for instance has a very high rate of eye injuries. If the vision in his LE is bad this is extremely important.  If you are a biology teacher you know how to do literature searches. There is a primitive artifical eye already out for the totally blind, it does not even approach normal vision  (anymore than the wright brother's airplane simulates todays jets/rockets).  Other technology is promiscing and is being conducted over the world but no breakthroughs are immenent.

Optimally he would wear glasses all the time for daily protection. Good frames, impact resistent lens. That is for daily wear (the good eye may not need any RX in the lens its for protection).  I would advise patients to avoid contact sports (football, basketball, soccer, etc).  Some parents choose not to do this. In that case the child needs to wear all the time high quality sports goggles.  Education should be done to avoid things like lawnmowers, weed-eaters, power tools, firearms, firecrackers, etc.  Untill you child is late middle age, especially male gender, the biggest risk to his good eye is an injury.

Please discuss at length with pediatrician and ophthalmologist and with his teachers, coaches, etc.

There is a book "A Singular View"  out of print but pretty easy to find on internet about an airline pilot that lost one eye that would be helpful for you to read.

JCH MD

[jweeks6]

We found out yesterday that the optic nerve in our sons left eye never developed (in utero). He is 3 1/2. I have myself been in a nanotechnology course the past year and am a high school biology teacher. Do you know of anybody anywhere who is experimenting with stem cell transplants, nano-technology or electronic retinas- in the world? Who are the "leaders" in this field or what schools are studying this the most? It's interesting that you talk so much about taking great care of his "good eye", I don;t think I had thought about that enough in this initial "shock" stage. For instance, he has soccer practice today, does he go? Does he need some sort of eye "goggles" if so where do you get something like that. I hope he will keep them on!

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

Remember your most important eye is the un-operated eye. Be careful to protect it from injury or disease. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Don't smoke.  Never go longer than 12 months without see in Eye MD ophthalmologist.

JCH MD

[ThaBeasta]

Thank you so much for your reply doctor! I was really stressing out over this. I will definitely tell my surgeon about any problems!