Re: Bilateral Retinal Detachment

Posted By Craig on June 08, 1999 at 09:35:29
Hi,
Five months ago I underwent treatment for bilateral retinal detachment.  I live in South Africa and have been wondering if other places in the world have more advanced techniques than we have available to us here and should I be visiting such places for consultation/treatment?
I have been short-sighted since 9 years old and currently wear soft contact lenses for L-6.5 and R-7.5.  I am now 28 and experienced spontaneous tears in my retinas simultaneously.  I was operated on within a couple of days.  The surgeon used the buckling technique to re-attach the retina for the serious tears and laser treatment to suture the numerous smaller ones.
Fortunately the operations were largely successful.  However I occassionaly get flashing and black spots appearing in my peripheral vision where the largest tear was.  My opthamologist says that the retina has reattached and that this flashing is probably as consequence to the vitreous pulling slightly away from the retina.  Four months after the operation he also noticed further degeneration that if worsened would require more laser treatment.
In addition I have a large number of floaters (increased since the operation) which I have had for as long as I can remember.  Can floaters be removed?
Thank you for your time.

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By hfhs md - NI on June 08, 1999 at 09:46:47
Craig,
Bilateral retinal detachments are uncommon but can be associated with high myopia, trauma and certain inherited retinal degenerations.
Buckling is porbably the most common technique for treating retinal detachments and has a very high success rate.  Laser can treat tears in the retina to help revent retinal detachments.
The floaters are common in patients with myopia and in patients who have had retinal detachments.  The floaters can be removed with a vitrectomy, a different surgery for retinal detachment.  However, this is not done for floaters as the risk from the surgery is greater than the problem with floaters.  You will have to get used to these floaters.  IF there is any sudden increase in floaters, you need to see your doctor for a possible recurrence of detachment or tear.
Flahsing lights are probably related to pulling on the retinal by the vitreous and if it inceases, this should also be reported.
This information is for educational purposes only.  Please continue followup with your ophthalmologist for treatment.










Follow Ups:


Bilateral Retinal Detachment Craig 6/09/1999
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Re: Bilateral Retinal Detachment HFHS MD - NI 6/09/1999
(0)

[eucrelia]

Hi!I first had retinal detachment in my right eye in 2008 due to unknown cause. However the Dr then suspected trauma though I am myopic. Since then I have had 4 detachments in the same eye. My first opthalmologist didn't use sclera buckling and so on the 3rd detachment he was out of the country and so I got another Dr who did emergency and put a sclera buckle and silicone oil. After 5 months he then removed the oil, now its only 3 months after and I am seeing flashes and small air bubbles with head movement. I went to him he said the peripheral retina is detaching but its far from the laser scar. He said he will rather monitor rather than opening because my vision has not changed. I want to know if its ok as I am also tired of pains after the operations. Thank you!

[eucrelia]

I am worried as the condition is threatening my profession that I love so much. And another thing that makes me worry is that when I went for the oil removal in my right he lasered 380 in my left eye for precautionary measure, and guess what happened! The vitrous gel then started to pull off and 6 weeks ago had to open and he then put a sclera buckle and gas. So I just need an institution where they can just do something once and done and I will just go for annual retinal assessment. Please help South Africa!