Retinal Detachment t

[Wendy771]

Hello,  I had scleral buckle surgery for retinal detachment due to horseshoe tears (macula not involved) on my right eye in May 2013. Surgery was successful. I had my left done (same procedure same diagnosis) 8 days ago. Pain was more intense this time. I inspected the eye this morning and I have a stitch poking out of eye ball to the left of iris. It feels like fish line and it is dark in color. Is this normal? I have a follow up with my surgeon in 2 days. The fellow on call said I could drive 3 hours to the ER but he was not sure if he like help me. Surgeon is out of town. Could this put me at risk for infection or corneal damage? In pain and frustrated.

[Wendy771]

If anyone else has to go through the irritation and pain involved with an exposed suture the warm compresses seem to provide the most relief....

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

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[Wendy771]

Thank you so much Dr.  I will try the warm compresses and the ointment helps minimally. But at least it something. I am hoping the ointment helps the stitch to dissolve faster:(.

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

In that case keep the eye covered in ointment and ask what oral pain medication you can use. Warm compresses are often helpful
JC MD

[Wendy771]

The resident on call said it was unlikely they could help. So i opted to skip the 6 hour drive round trip drive to hospital on Sat night.  Finally saw my surgeon today. He was unable to trim or remove suture. He said it would dissolve on its own and gave me some ointment to sooth pain and scratching. I asked him if he could please remove it but he said he feared the eye would open up if the suture was removed:(. Other than the suture the buckle was perfect he said. So I am just praying it dissolves quickly so the pain goes away.

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

trimming a suture is not the same as re-doing a scleral buckle procedure.

JC MD

[Wendy771]

Thank you Dr!  I am waiting on a return call from the resident on call. So this may involve another surgery if it can't be trimmed??? The first resident I spoke too said my only option was the ER where a retina resident would be paged but she said they most likely would want the surgeon to see me before doing anything.

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

Tell them you are in PAIN and ask for an Eye resident to see you. Sometimes it possible to trim the exposed stitch back with a minor procedure done at the slit lamp
JC MD

[Wendy771]

Thank you Dr. I was told that only my surgeon would be able to help me by the resident in call in the retinal dept. I will call again ASAP.

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

The surgeon should have another surgeon taking call for him/her. It is unlikely that the ER will cut or remove the stitch. JodieJ has written about her pain from an exposed stitch. if you are in pain best to get in to see the Eye MD taking call for your surgeon ASAP

JCH MD