Can a scleral buckle be redone?

[jenny39]

I had a scleral buckle about two weeks ago and all went fine except that at the next day check-up the doctor said there was a little fluid remaining.  Fluid still there a week later.  He now thinks the gas bubble is the next step.  Is it possible to remove the current scleral buckle, drain the remaining fluid, and put in a new scleral buckle?  I am thinking the recovery for the buckle is much less than for the bubble (I have a young family and work.)  Thank you for your help?

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

Retinas are very individualized. Your retina doctor knows the exact situation of your eye and you should ask that question of your doctor.

[berrywoo]

Generally, scleral buckles are left alone and are in place practically forever, unless it somehow gets dislodged or causes an infection. Dislodging of the buckle rarely happens b/c the buckle is sewn to the eye. Infections are also a rare occurance. So your doctor or any other would not remove the buckle unless it was causing significant problems. This is something your doctor should have mentioned to you before the surgery.
Sometimes it takes the fluid a while to completely disappear.
However, if your doctor feels that another surgery is necessary than it probably is. Talk w/ your doctor and have him/her answer any questions you may have.
I know recovery from a gas bubble is no picnic and requires much patience. Good Luck.

[jenny39]

Thanks for the info.  My doctor told me the fluid can re-absorb but he didn't sound like that was highly probable.  Do you have idea how long it could take for fluid to re-absorb, my surgeon says it is not a lot of fluid (and is not affecting my line of vision presently) but feels it should at least be monitored closely. Again, many thanks for the input.

[berrywoo]

Honestly, the rate of fluid re-absorption depends and can take anywhere from a few days to many months. Sometimes the fluid does not get re-absorped even after a long time. As long as your doctor is closely monitoring you and you make sure that there doesn't appear to be more fluid, than you should be fine. Again, good luck!

[tomc616]

I'm four weeks out and had a bleeder. The buble is gone but not all of the blood. Takes time.
I did go from about 20/25 to about 20/60

[Eyezz]

What is a "bleeder"?
Has this occurred after having  Scleral Buckle?
Thanx for your answer in advance.

Eyezz

[berrywoo]

my guess is that when tomc616 says "bleeder" he is referring to a vitreous hemorrhage. It can occur due to RDs or other eye trauma/diseases. A scleral buckling procedure by itself is not very likely to cause a hemorrhage. Plus, if you experienced one you'd know and your doctor would have told you so.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[82Hound]

Sorry to bother you gang, but i had a detatchment three weeks ago...I had the surgery, the buckle and the gas bubble..which has now gone.  I was fine until this past Sunday when by accident i bumped my eye.  Nothing major, just a little bump.  I see no flashes and and i don't think it has torn agin...it just feels swollen, and it feels the same as it did when it seperated...I take it the buckle cannot be disloged by a litte bump...can it??

Thanks...

Hound82

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

It could be. On the other hand I've seen patients get hit in the eye with a basketball and not damage the buckle. Best call your surgeon and describe your situation and let her/him decide if you need to come in for an exam.

JCH MD