Much needed advice..

My name is Joe I. I'm a 19 year old freshman, currently attending Florida State University. Throughout my tenure at St Thomas Aquinas High School, i played football; more specifically offensive line. I was undersized for my position, and i hit many...many men, giving out as much punishment as i received. Two or three months ago, nearly a year after my last game in high school, i had to undergo immediate eye surgery for torn retinas in both eyes.... My real question: Can i play football in college? I want to walk on to the FSU team as a Tight end...i think i'll receive considerably less trauma to the head than at my previous position (offensive guard), and more importantly i think i can do it.. i just need to know if i can play. I love this game..it is what i think about everyday of my life. Can ANYone please give me some insight?...

[AnnaE]

Call the doctor's office tomorrow; ask that the doctor review your records and give you an answer as soon as possible. If your doc is in the same city, make an appointment and go in and discuss it. This is better--these docs are very busy, and it is better to discuss the matter face to face, anyway.

Best of luck with all!

[Jenn0030]

This information should be easily obtain from your doctors nurse / tech.  Ask to speak to their nurse regarding your physical limitaions for college sports.  I don't think that unless you are having problems or changes in your vision you need to spend the 2 hours that a normal retinal doctors appointment can take.

[AnnaE]

I dunno. I have gotten enough wrong answers from techs, so that I would spend 2 hours anytime, if it regarded my future good sight. It also might help to brush up on prevention/education with the doc.

[Jenn0030]

If you ever go to a medical facility and you feel like you are not able to trust their staff for the education that they provide you with, I would run away as fast as I could.

I do disagree with your statement...Technicans regardless of how wrong they may be at times do not pull answers from space.  

fsujci
If it is documented in your medical record that you are to refrain from sports then you will get an easy answer.  If not then they will have to ask the doctor.  Make a call, if you want, tell whoever answers the phone that you want to talk to the doctor...it might or might not work, depends on the office.  Good luck to you.  

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

The best source of advise will be the surgeon that fixed your retina. I would think it likely you will be advised NOT to play football, wrestle or fox or be involved in severe contact sports. While retina surgeons generally do not limit return to activities like swimming, running, rowing, even tennis or racquetball (with full eye protection) they do not generally recommend "going back for more" in severe contact sports. Remember your could re-detach the eye or detach the fellow eye.

JCH III MD