Retinal surgery-post operative complications

Six weeks ago i had a buckle and gas procedure to correct a retinal detachment.

At this point i have a central grey/black 'blob' that is obstructing my vision.

In addition the vision surrounding the 'blob' has a distorted 'looking through dirty water' effect.

A visit to the surgeon yesterday was followed by a dye test to monitor blood flow in the eye, and a scan to determine retinal thickness. Both of these tests show nothing unusual.

My surgeon has expressed concern that my vision remains poor and i am scheduled for another examination i four weeks.

I am also very concerned, i have tried to find any information i can about what may be happening, but i am having no luck.

Has anyone had similar problems, or does anyone know what may be occurring?

My anxiety level is very high.

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

It would be very important for you to know whether your macula (reading spot) of the retina was "off" or "on" when the retina was fixed. If it was "on" the prognosis for recovery of good vision is excellent. If it was "off" the prognosis for good vision is much reduced and it may take 6-12 months before you know how much your vision is going to recover.

You may still some gas in the eye. You might ask the surgeon's office by phone:
1. Was my macula on or off before the surgery. What was my pre-operative vision? What was it when I was just in to have the recheck.
2. Was there still a gas bubble in the eye last visit?

JCH III MD

[Dreghorn2]

Thank you for the reply.

My understanding was that it was on. I asked the surgeon if there was any macular concerns on my last visit, two days ago, and he replied no.

I do still have a small amount of gas in my eye. However i can 'see' it, and it is not in my central field of vision. Could this be part of the problem? My surgeon didn't mention it as a possibilty.

The original tear was outside of my central vision. l was just beginning to experience a small dark spot on my lower left touching the bottom of my nose.

Should i be overly concerned given that i was told i had no macular problems, dye test was fine, and retinal thickness was normal.

Again i appreciate the reply. I know its similar with anyone in these circumstances but i am feeling a great deal of anxiety bordering on fear.

[Dreghorn2]

Just to clarify.

I experienced some unusually large floaters in my right eye on a weekend.

That Monday i went to my optometrist who suggested i may have a retinal problem and that i should see a specialist, which i did the following day.

That night, Monday, was when i noticed the small dark spot on the bottom left of my vision.

On Tuesday the surgeon injected gas and told me to return in two days.

I did so, his examination led him to recommend surgery which i had that afternoon, Thursday. He cleaned out the area of the tear, attached the buckle, and inserted more gas.

Before surgery i had 20/20 central vision with only the small lower dark spot.

That is what concerns me so much. Now it is 6 weeks later and i have a large dark spot in my central vision and poor vision elsewhere.

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

I cannot generalize or provide usefull information. You need to get specific answers from the retina surgeon even if you need to get insistent. Take a friend or relative to your next exam so you have a second set of ears.

JCH III MD