Retinal Detachment Surgery Recuperation

[Voods]

Hi! Very worried about my 60 yr old Mom. She had laser done for macular degeneration. 2 weeks later she had actual retinal detachment from the top of left retina. Its s different area than the laser work. She had to have immediate surgery the next day. The doctor used something he compared to a "rubber band" which gets placed around the eye ball and seems to have a better long term success rate than other techniques. Only downside is change in vision prescription. We were prepared for a quick recovery however.....
It's a week after the surgery and the swelling of the eye lid has just gone down some. She can only open her eye 1/4 inch or so and has terrible vision when she holds her eye open with her fingers. The doctors say they are happy with the retinal being attached again but we are very worried about her eye not opening and her vision being very poor in that eye. Is this really a typical, acceptable recuperation within medical norms????

[Voods]

Thanks for your opinion. The Doctor we've been seeing is top of the line. I have no doubt. However, many doctors in this field are downplaying the enormous recoup time and effort that this surgery takes. My Mom had vacation plans which would take her on an international flight 2 weeks post op. Even before the surgery, the Docs said if we don't use air bubble, there is no reason to cancel vacation. They also told her she can be back at work within " a few days of the surgery." Well she is sitting at home because she looks like she was punched in the eye, and she is suffering because her eye lid doesn't open and her vision is completely problematic.

I can not imagine her at behind desk at work, let alone on an international trip!

The problem is the Doctors are not giving patients realistic recoup scenarios and this is causing big worries and unexpected loss of time!!

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

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[AnnaE]

I don't know what can be done about this. My retinologist showed me to go around with my head down for X days.  I was given a few more instructions from him, but I was so dazed from emergency surgery/possible sight loss that I lost the paper where I wrote the other information. I keep thinking that the person who was supposed to give other information was ou at that time.As for the list from my doctor, I called staff and told them I lost it. I could not believe it but they asked me what was on it. Like I was calling about the piece of paper, not the instructions? I called them every day until I felt that I had been sufficiently informed.

But I am afraid to ask what happened, whether the person who was supposed to help was out--they easily hit the ceiling if they think you are finding falt. On my way home, I even asked the maintenance person if she had any clues. She told me not to ben over.
No on had told me that.

The surgeon or a nurse should have told me how I would feel physically. Psychologically, I was a horror becausee I was alone, with no support on the outside. Also, My eye doctors missed my detachment, so I was really fearful about the loss of my eye.

What we are talking about here is a horrible experience, and I feel that it is very common with retinology offices. Many people write here for instructions, because the doctor/staff told them little or nothing.

I am very sorry that your mother experienced it too. Call them any time you have questions, and ask some questions tice, to make sure you are getting the right answer, just as if you are dealing with a bureaucracy.

[AnnaE]

I understand your concern. Some doctors do not give much post-op information. No one told me it was major surgery, or how long the recovery period was, until my fourth surgery.

I felt very weak for 2-3 weeks. My eye did not look like much until 4-6 weeks passed.
I would consult with the doctor and get all the information from him. The doctors SHOULD give you this informations. Was she told to not lift, bend over, etc?

Good luck to her, and I'm so glad she has you to help her. Support is essential, especially with this type of surgery.

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

Retinal detachment surgery is major surgery, with a LONG recovery time. It may be 6 to 12 months before the final results of recovery of vision is obtained. Even if the retina is put back in place the vision may not return to pre-detachment levels.

JCH III MD