Scarring following Victrectomy

[Spursfan21]

I had victrectomy surgery to reattach my retina in April 07 (4 months ago) and I still have trouble seeing out of my eye.  At the end of June, the surgeon stated that the retina is reattached and that everything looks fine and that I should go ahead and get my vision prescription checked.  Well, when I went to my eye doctor, to get my vision checked, I could not even see eye chart.  I went back to the surgeon and he ran a test to check the vessels in my eye and he stated that there is some thickening of the pigment or scarring that is affecting the macula due to the either the surgery or while the retina was detached. the .  My surgeon really did not explain that much, except he said that it will take a while for that to heal.  Is there anyone out there who could explain to me what could be going on and what the prognosis is?

[JodieJ]

I suspect that the "thickening" or "scarring" of the macula which your surgeon referred to is an epiretinal membrane (AKA macular pucker).  In any case, your retinal specialist owes you a complete explanation of your situation, prognosis, and treatment options, either over the phone or  (better yet) in person.  Call his/her office and arrange for it.  It might help to bring someone with you to the appointment.

Getting a second opinion from the best retinal specialist in town is an excellent idea.

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

If your macula (reading-straight ahead vision) was detached then even if your retina is successfully reattached you may not recover your full vision, you could even be left with relatively poor central vision. The recovery from a retinal detachment-macula off often takes 6 to 12 months for the final result to occur.

Your best bet is to call the retina surgeon's office and ask the staff to pull your chart and see if your macula was pulled off by the detachment. If so the prognosis is not good.

You can always get a second opinion from another Eye MD.  

JCH III MD  Ophthalmologist