EyeSight recovery post retinal detachment

Hi, My mother (56yrs old) has the following eye history -
1) -20 Myopia till age 40. She used to wear high powered contact lenses.
2) Had cataract at the age of 40, got both eyes operated.
3) Vision improved highly even without having introcular lens.
4) Left eye had a macular hole and retinal detachment in 2006.
5) Had 5 surgeries alternating with silicon oil and gas to get the retina fixed.
6) Now since Nov 2006, retina is stable.

However her eyesight is very poor. She cannot read with the left eye and the image is blurred. The vision in right eye is not so good so she is very depressed. Is there anything we can do to rectify the situation and also stop the right eye from detachment possibilities ?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

regards

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Priyakb,

The left eye has had many procedures to repair the retina and macular hole. It sounds as if she has had damage which may not be able to be improved.  I would recommend that she seek care of a low vision specialist to obtain aids which will help her function more effectively.  This may help to reduce her depression.  Also, she is dealing with a loss of one’s sense, so she might need effective counsel to assist her.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California