Have upcoming vitrectomy surgery questions

[Dan514]

I was diagnosed this past Monday with a detached retina in my left eye. Surgery is scheduled for December 10th.
When I questioned why it was not to be sooner, I was told that the retina had allready detached, and hence was not as urgent as a retina tear.
I also would like to know about success rates for this type of surgery, and suggestions on the proceedure after surgery where you have to keep your head down for up to 7 days.
I appreciate your input since this is my first encounter with eye surgery of any kind.

[berrywoo]

Success rates for fixing a detached retina are pretty high about 80-90% for a first surgery. With multiple surgeries the rate climbs even higher. However that is just anatomically speaking. In terms of final visual results the outcomes for the most part are pretty successful, however, w/ multiple surgeries the visual acuity in all likelihood will decline significantly.

As far as positioning goes it is difficult. Some people choose to rent equipment that will help them maintain the face down position in relative comfort. I however, felt this was unneccesary and quite an expensive option, plus I had youth on my side.

I've posted here numerous times about RDs so I'll refer you to my post "FYI: Retinal Detachment 101" for more info. Just do a search on this site it should turn up.

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

Dan,

I assume you do not have a "macula off" retinal detachment as that is definitely worse than a peripheral detachment because it involves your point of central (best) vision. And it would demand immediate repair.

I am not a retinal subspecialist but I would look for a retinal doctor who could repair you sooner. I am concerned that it may get worse while you are waiting.

[AnnaE]

Dan, I know you, I think.

Even macula-on detachments need to be fixed within the first two weeks. This is how I lost most of the vision in my left eye--my doctors would not believe me, and I did not get surgery for 2 months.

Get the surgery tomorrow, or Wednesday at the latest.

[Dan514]

Thank you all for your replies. I did read Retinal Detachment 101, and that was very helpful.
Looks like I will have to wait until December 10th for my surgery, since I have to go off Coumidin (use due to mechanical aortic valve) for 5 days before surgery, and then bridge the coumidin with Lovenox injections 2 days prior.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Dan  

[AnnaE]

Are you seeing a retinologist?

[Dan514]

My doctor is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in diseases of the vitreous and retina. He served his ophthalmology residency at Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia and fellowship training in retina and intraocular tumors at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He has performed several thousand retinal surgeries.

[AnnaE]

Wills is excellent. I am sorry we all misunderstood your needs. Of course, we all wanted you to get help asap, but I am sure your eye surgeon and your heart doc are working on that.

Sorry, I thought I recognized your name from a previous posts.

I wish you the best. I am highly experienced as a retina surgery patient, and I always  want to help everyone else, so that they get the best care. Such a difficult experience, no matter what.

If you can, please let us know how you are doing.

[Dan514]

Thank you for your kind wishes.