Post Op care after Retinal Tear

[Stony180]

Recently had cryopexy done to repair a retinal tear from a PVD. Retinal specialist examined 2 weeks later to confirm adhesion was sufficient. Now retinal specialist says I need no more follow up exams unless I have new symptoms. I was very surprised that he did not want more follow ups to look for new tears that might occur. IMO waiting for symptoms can sometimes be too late, especially since the tear that was treated had not yet given me symptoms. Regular optometrist said she does not need to see me either. Is this proper post-op care?

[JohnHaganMD]

optoms generally get their nose out of joint if they do not have their patients referred back to their office for on-going exams. Retina MDs do not do refractions and routine care. My suggestion would be so see a comprehensive Eye MD ophthalmologist who can give all regualr care but has a lot more training and experience that the optom.

JCH MD

[Stony180]

Thanks for your response. So then do you think additional follow up exams are warranted? It has now been about 9 weeks since my PVD. I understand that the first 6 weeks after PVD are critical for the development of retinal tears, but that occasionally there may be delayed retinal breaks. Mine was discovered on the 6 week follow up. Not sure when a person can be considered out of danger.

[chazas]

In my recent PVD, the retina doc saw me several times during the acute symptom phase (each scheduled immediately after a symptom change, as he had requested), then a week after laser repair, with another followup still scheduled a month later.  Since I've had many issues with the other eye as well, I expect annual visits for the next couple of years at least. My anterior eye practice has both ophthalmologists and optometrists, but post PRK and cataract surgery I've been bumped back down to annual visits to the optimetrist unless something happens.  If you want another follow up, I'd insist on it. We have to take charge of our own care. No one is coordinating it for us these days.

[JohnHaganMD]

good advice