Does retinal surgery usually result in this much damage?

I had 2 retinal tears, and procedures on Feb. 19, and Mar. 02, 2010.  On March 4, 2010, I had full retinal surgery, no scleral buckle.  My neurologist (that I was referred to by a neuro-ophthalmogist, who finally said she couldn't help with the photophobia) feels that the Trigemenal Neuralgia I now suffer from started somehow during that surgery: leaving the cryopexy tool on my forehead, or allery to the topical freezing, or placement of the tools in my eye.

Today, I am left with continuous TN pain in the left side of my skull, sudden onset of uncontrollable glaucoma, my left pupil will not move at all, blepharitis in both eyes, and my eyelids droop horribly.  However, the lid repair surgery was cancelled due to fears of having my eyes swell shut, and then not be able to put the glaucoma drops in. I have been seeing an optometrist and ophthalmologist so frequently that the entire staff of 20 people know me.  I feel like "Norm" from the Cheers sitcom, but its just not funny anymore....

Does retinal surgery usually result in this much damage?  Until the first procedure my ocular pressure was always, always normal, and my eyelids were fine.  I had no eye pain, ever.

I am so depressed and scared about all this, its almost a year now, and nothing seems to work.

All advice is welcomed.  

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

Yes, if you will use the search feature and archives and read the many posts about the ordeal that often is retinal surgery you will see that it often involves a lot of repeat surgeries, often has side effects such as double vision, droopy eyelid and vision often remains poor even if the retina can be attached and glaucoma can develop.

It is very unlikely that any facial neuralgiz or pain is due to the surgery, the cryoprobe or improper placement of the instruments.

JCH MD

[LonelyinLangley]

Thank you for replying to me.  I guess I still have a long road ahead of me.  It seems impossible to get the ocular pressure (and that pain) under control.

As to the Trigeminal Neuralgia/Neuropathy on the left side of my skull that I now have, that pain started within 24 hours of the retinal surgery, and has never completely let up.  Before the surgery, I would have headaches about 3 times a year, and Tylenol would take it away.  I am now on Gabapentin 300mg *at least* 4 times/day, more if I need it.  My neurologist has put my name on the MRI waitlist, but here in BC that could be up to 2 years...  The pain is very specific in area, so specific that the right side of my head experiences no pain, my left bottom jaw - no pain.  My left top teeth ache dully all the time, so exact that my left front tooth will ache, and my right front tooth doesn't.  I can draw a line right along the centre ridge of my skull and there is pain.  The worst of the pain is above my left eyebrow and running up the centre of my forehead.  

I know that I have never had a headache like this one before.  My neurologist gave me a year's worth of repeats on the the Gabapentin....

Again, thank you for your time and expertise.

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

OMG  waiting up to 2 years for a MRI unbelieveable. We can get one within 2 days routine and immediately for emergencies at any hospital in Kansas City.

JCH MD