Retina Detachment recovery with Silicon Oil

Hello: Fellow Retina Detachments
I am in my 2nd month after surgery for a detached retina. I had 2 major surgeries, the first one was after a failed in-office Laser procedure. In the first surgery I got a Scleral Buckle & Vitrectomy with a gas bubble. Because there was a lot of scar tissue I required a second surgery and received the Silicon Oil in place of the gas bubble. The issue for me is the amount of vision that can be expected after this procedure. Although now I think I see a bit better as time goes on I still am no better than 20/200 (which means I can see the first couple "E's" on the eye chart) It seems my surgeon tells me that the retina is attaching but to expect the Silicon Oil to stay in my eye for some time, in addition he said a "contact lens" might be something new that could help my vision. So my expectations are going a bit sideways here. Can anyone help with the Silicon Oil post surgery experience with a detached retina.
Rg

[Forum-OD-MP]

many, many possibilities.  too many to start listing here.  the entire spectrum from complete recovery to complete blindness is all possible.  not to dodge your question, but this is like saying "i had a car accident, what are my expectations of the condition of my vehicle?"  not having seen your eye, there is no way anyone here is going to be able to accurately paint any picture of what your vision/recovery will be like.

[mickielulu]

Silicone oil causes cataracts.  If your surgeon plans to leave the oil any longer than 6 months, be aware that a lens implant surgery is approaching.  I have had my oil for 4 years now. Since my surgeon planned to leave the oil for an extended length of time, a lens implant was done during my detached retina surgery.  After 4 years, I can tell you that there are a lot of difficulties having this stuff.  There is quite a bit of refraction difference between silicone oil and vitreous fluid.  This causes vision blurriness in bright lighting, dim lighting, and especially cold weather when going from inside to outside.  I can give you other instances, but I think you get the drift.  Now during my last checkup, my opthamologist tells me that part of the oil is gone.  Wonderful!!!  Where did it go and what is it doing?  Poisoning my brain cells?  This is the current dilemma I am facing with a foreign substance.  Until later.

[teacher2]

HELP I have had 2 retinal detachment surgeries, (buckle and gas bubble) on 9-06 and 11-06 and NOW my Dr. says that scar tissue is forming on the botttom of the eye and the retina is detaching AGAIN!!! I am soooo frustrated, he told me my chances of complete recovery is 50% I am not wanting to go through all this neck and back pain (from the head down position) and time off from my teaching if the scarring will cause once again another detachment. He also said that this time he would put the "oil" in place of the gas bubble, but after reading many of the discussions on this site I am begining to wonder what I should do, I am requesting a second opinion from the insurance co, but really do not know what to do at this point... anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!!

[teacher2]

HELP I have had 2 retinal detachment surgeries, (buckle and gas bubble) on 9-06 and 11-06 and NOW my Dr. says that scar tissue is forming on the botttom of the eye and the retina is detaching AGAIN!!! I am soooo frustrated, he told me my chances of complete recovery is 50% I am not wanting to go through all this neck and back pain (from the head down position) and time off from my teaching if the scarring will cause once again another detachment. He also said that this time he would put the "oil" in place of the gas bubble, but after reading many of the discussions on this site I am begining to wonder what I should do, I am requesting a second opinion from the insurance co, but really do not know what to do at this point... anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!!

[betty99]

In mid Oct I had surgery for retina hole. After approx 6 weeks, I had a retina detachment and underwent cryo surgery and gas bubble implant in office. Within 2 weeks, 2nd detachment. Back to the hospital for surgery; buckle and large gas bubble. Also he can't see through my lens due to cataract formed from gas bubbles. Buckle quite painful at first but now much better. I can't see over the gas bubble that is dissolving, due to the cataract.  Dr said I would get new lens in about 6 months.  I have read about buckle removal but I don't think I want that if it might cause another detachment.  I'm just hoping that I can see clearly again.  It's been quit an adjustment functioning with one eye. My doctor has never talked about a silicone oil but I don't think it's something I want.  I think patience is needed with this recovery.  I hope my eyesight will not be gone after all this but if it does, I have my health so will be thankful for that.
Betty99

[teacher2]

HELP I have had 2 retinal detachment surgeries, (buckle and gas bubble) on 9-06 and 11-06 and NOW my Dr. says that scar tissue is forming on the botttom of the eye and the retina is detaching AGAIN!!! I am soooo frustrated, he told me my chances of complete recovery is 50% I am not wanting to go through all this neck and back pain (from the head down position) and time off from my teaching if the scarring will cause once again another detachment. He also said that this time he would put the "oil" in place of the gas bubble, but after reading many of the discussions on this site I am begining to wonder what I should do, I am requesting a second opinion from the insurance co, but really do not know what to do at this point... anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!!

[teacher2]

HELP PLEASE I got my second opinion and this doctor says there is nothing tha can be done, he does not recommend "oil" or any surgery. He says my eye is not producing any fluid and because the retina is detaching on the bottom again I will never have my sight in that eye! Does anyone know that if your lense is not replaced that it would cause your eye not to produce fluid? I am so frustrated! Thanks

[Ron9]

Hello

I am now 3 months with my Rt eye full of Silicon oil. I have Cataracts and really have very little vision in that eye. So I want this Oil out ASAP and then new lens surgery.
I was told maybe it comes out in 4 months.

Can you tell me why some people (you) keep the Oil in for so long.
rg

[soomro]

i have gone under RD inferior operarion and retina was reattached with laser by using silicon oil. after 2 months I am feeling flashes in my eye, can u pl tell me that it is a normal behaviour or otherwise. thanks

[teacher2]

Hve you been able to work with the "oil" in your eye? do yo9u hve any vision, and why didn't the Dr. take the cataracts out when he did your surgery? I am sooo frustrated with my detached retina problems, my Dr. is a complete no bed side manner of a man, he barely spends any time with me to answer my questions, I have seen a different Dr. but I feel I still need another opinion, I hope to see someone at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye INstitute, and pray they can help me, I hope you are feeling better.

[CarolKinch]

I have had 2 sclera buckles back in Feb/March 2006.  I have had chronic pain/dry feeling, burning in this eye.  My surgeon referred me to another eye doctor to treats dry eye, but he said my eye was not dry but that there could be permanent nerve damage from the sclera buckle and that is what is causing my discomfort.  I would appreciate a 2nd opinion on that comment.
Also in my other eye I was told the vitreous was detatching.  This has been going on now for almost a year and it is still detatching but it has not completing detached yet.  My surgeon said that is unusual as once the vitreous starts to detatch it detatches within a day or so.  Any opinion on that also would be appreciated.
Thanks for your help.
Carol

[teacher2]

My retina has detached twice and had redetached again and my eye is very dry and scratchy, I also had the "buckle" and victremony and a gas bubble afterwards, the Dr. says once the retina detaches it will continue and if not repaired blindness will occur. If I was you I would seek other opinions I know I am before I have another surgery. Good Luck! keep me posted.

[Carol3588]

A related discussion, Second Opinion was started.

[micfar]

A related discussion, removal of silicone oil was started.

[hunkychunky]

A related discussion, Detached Retina was started.