When can I put contacts in after retina surgery? Experience

[Mcq0823]

Hi all

25 yr old who had sceral buckle and a 6 week gas bubble placed in my eye for a retinal detachment. I have gone to the doctor about 4 times and they say the retina is staying attached and looking good. The gas bubble is still in (and highly annoying. Before the operation I was a major contact wearer and didn't have any back up glasses

So now I am stuck with a contact in m good eye and nothing in my bad eye. I was a -5.00 in the bad eye before the operationa nd as it was explained, my script is going to change, I know that over the next few months...but i would like to start seeing something out of the eye (not to mention its kinda tough keeping the eye open when I see 20/20 out of the good eye)

I asked my doctor when I can put a contact in there (since she thinks its pointless to get glasses) and she said I could put my old script of contact in the bad eye now,if i wanted to (since my eye is recovered froms surgery)

I still have about 10-15 percent of the gas bubble left. Does this sound ok to everyone else? I am nervous to put something in the operated eye, as when something like this happen you kinda get freaked out. However I am anxious to start seeing something out fo the operated eye. I know I am def more nearsighted now but I figure putting that int here could atleast help me seeing more (i.e. especially driving)

Any thoughts?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If you had a buckle your old contacts may not fit and also the buckle will make the eye longer which translates to needing a stronger lens (likely somewhere north of -7.00).
You eye may also have changed corneal shape.

All it all I would not put the contacts in till the surgeon releases you then go back to who fit your contacts and have the eye refitted.

JCH MD

[Mcq0823]

What does it mean till the surgeon releases you?

My surgeon did say it was ok to put the lense back in the eye, but to me careful (practice good contact hygiene) and that it prolly wont help all thatm uch

I should feel in a rock in a hard place. I want to start seeing out of the eye, I don't have glasses....I would like to have some sort of short term solution for the next few months

[Mcq0823]

Also Thanks for the response and your help

[JodieJ]

If your surgeon says it's okay to wear your contact lens, then go ahead and insert the lens.  The problem is that your old contact won't be the right power now.  If your surgeon approves (try calling the office), make an appointment with an eye care provider who stocks a lot of disposable contacts.  Hopefully, you can get some samples in your current power and also order a small supply.  (You can always order more contacts in that power if your prescription doesn't change.)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[Mcq0823]

Thanks Jodie. That's not a bad idea. I will call my doctor's office tomorrow

I know this is prolly a stupid questions, and one I have asked before..but there is no correlation between contacts wear/abuse and retina detachment?

I just find it sos odd at 25 I had an RD. I don't want it to happen in the right eye

[AppleBr]

No correlation - unless you hurt yourself badly with them...(hightly improbably)
Age doesnt matter - sniff,sniff . And the fear of happening again is a hell, for sure. I would say is the worse part cos last forever...
Good luck !!

[Mcq0823]

The possibilities of it happening again are by far the worst part of it. Everyday I feel as if I see a floater or have some issue that causes me to freak out for a moment.

The only comfort I really have is after I go see the eye doctor.

medhelp is a great resource. Does anyone have any experience with the gas bubble? It's getting pretty low and I have seen the bubble break up into pieces (read here its normal) but is there any sign of it not being normal. Sometimes I feel I see strings, small floaters,ect..I wish I knew how I could tell the difference between parts of the gas bubble and floaters

I also keep hearing from my doctor good things and that the retina is attached (with the bubble no longer supporting it) but I am not out of the woods yet (as she says). She says scar tissue could still be a concern and that is known around 3 months post op

What can I celebrate or feel good about my eye? I want to put it past me

Anyone who has gone through this stuff, you deserve credit. It's much harder then I thought. Please email me at ***@**** if you want to talk about it

Thanks-

[Mcq0823]

Hello All-

New development with my eye. I went today and they said that I had scar tissue forming and it has caused a small detachment. They recomended I laser it up to seal it from progressing.

So I did that today. I must say that was pretty uncomfortable...bright lights..took me awhile since my eye was sensitive

Now I have to see if the laser holds and have to go back monday

Anyone can enlight me on why they did this? if they did? success rate?

[berrywoo]

The laser was done to seal the tear and try to prevent your retina from detaching. It was probably an attempt to strengthen retinal adhesion to the back of the eye at the point where the scar tissue lies.

The success rate depends on how extensive the traction is on the retina and also, how large the tear was.

If you want more info on PVR (fancy term for the scar tissue, which stands for proliferative vitreoretinopathy) google it or use the search feature here as much has been posted on the subject by myself and others.

Good luck on your recovery.

[kivrin]

My doc did some more laser about 2 weeks after my buckle and vitrectomy. I totally agree with you about it being uncomfortable!! My doc said he wanted to make sure that no new tears formed. It seems I am on the mend and good to go. I still look like I have pink eye -- redness in the eye (kinda stringy on the white section), still using prednisone drops. Theoretically my last appointment is next Friday.

I know that it is scary that it will happen again, but it will always be easier the next time since you know what is happening.

About the bubble .. it goes away, it really does. It just take a while. This time I got a faster absorption rate (different gas) but I remember it taking forever last time.

[AppleBr]

I did some laser after as well.Twice on the operated left eye, one on the other.Doctor
had said I would need some more but till know is all attached, the last was about 3 or 4 months ago. Second time was a little unconfortable cos the eye was already sensitive but I left the place completely HAPPY cause my fear was about my good eye being "ignored' (without treatment,just watched) til that moment.
The first laser was not that bad,I saw pink on the second,but fortunatelly it disappeared fast. No one mentioned more lasers  need at my last appointment.
I didnt have experience with buckle and gas bubble.( fortunatelly- the positioning stuff still scares me...) Got silicone oil as first option,its still in my eye.

Hope the weekend won't be bad for you - not to much stressful.
My wishes of GOOD LUCK in your recovery!

[Mcq0823]

update:

Went to my doctors today and they were happy. Apparently the laser has held and it's good news. Right now if the laser continues to hold then I am good....

Will go back in a week, when if it continues to hold It's even better news..

Thanks for the support...

[AppleBr]

Happy to know that! :-)

[Mcq0823]

Update:

I wanted to bring back an update to this board. I know when I suddenly got diagnosed with a detachment it was one of the scariest and anxious times of my life, and what didn't help was hearing all the war stories online about multiple surgeries and people blind or nearly blind in the eye. Med help is a great resource, but it can also be a compliation of "When things go horribly wrong"

Although I dont feel I am out of the woods and I feel nervous something will go wrong with the eye one day, here is my current update.

After I went in for that emergency laser surgery I went back a few times and each time it "held up' as they say. As of now I am a -7 in the operated eye and minus a floater or two (as well as some mild redness) it hasn't been a problem. About 3 weeks ago I didn't notice some cloudiness in the eye and it got to the point where I just went in and got it checked out. I was worried it could be a major problem and they told me it was a cataract (a very common side affect due to the gas bubble). I was relieved to know that it was nothing serious (retina issues) and I have an appointment in a week to see if this needs to be operated on.

They also did a scan of my macula and noticed a small, forming piece of scar tissue and explained to me that it might be a problem down the line but at this point it's not on my radar. So I am not worired and they said it was fixable if needed.

So although there are bumps in the road, I wanted to post to let people know who are starting to go through this crazy and scary process that there is hope and that getting a retina detachment doesn't mean you will lose your sight. You are in for a battle and will be taken on a physical and emotional rollercoaster, but it doesn't mean blindness. It doesn't mean 10 surgeriers and the most painful and akward operations you can do.

I think one positive from this experience is I wake up everyday, every morniong, and feel so lucky to be able to see out of my left eye. I took that for granted and feel so lucky that I can see.

I think the worst part of the whole process ( including all the surgeries, exams, gas bubble, ect) is the waiting and emotional aspect. Will I be ok? will be eyesight black out today? Will this happen to my other eye? Will this surgery work? It drives you crazy.

To anyone reading this who has never had an eye issue and might be thinking there is something wrong, well my advice would be to not wait around. Even if it's something "small" just get it checked out.

[berrywoo]

Thanks for the update.
I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you.

I do agree that sometimes the eye care boards can be full of horror stories. However, that is the nature of such a forum, where people will come and discuss their problems seeking advice and support.

In regards to RD's, I always say that the success rate is astoundingly high with today's modern surgical techniques and the scientific research confirms this. So most people with RD's are not in for the worst case scenario: blindness.

Anyways, I hope that your good eye health continues and that the small area of scar tissue on the macula does not cause further problems.

Take care.

[corks100]

Hi there.  Just wanted to drop a quick hello and say I hear your concerns and pain.  Ive been going through the same worries, rollercoaster feelings, etc....I have so many questions and concerns that it consumes me sometimes.  I still even go through the..."why me?"...."why my eye?"...."id rather be deaf" stages.  BUt prayers, positive attitude (w/c is not easy!) have helped as well as sorrounding yourself with family.  Lately, my concern has been.."will my eye ever be normal again"?...."I want my life back pls".....etc.  

But small improvements make me happy.  I pray and say I am grateful for the baby steps improvements in my eye/vision.

Hope a small group of us can be RD friends....for support, help, advice, resource, news of care, treatment, breakthroughs, etc.  So I will add you on my friends list if that is ok.

Im hoping and praying for your good recovery.

[AppleBr]

                                                :-)
   Thanks for you uptodate.either.
One of the best things here is when you met again an RD pal you knew posting desesperated and s/he is really phisicaly fine and hopefull nowadays!!!
That is as good as to be fine yourself!!!
Thank goodness I'm also being luck, so I can be  twice thankful: for me and for my folks.
If there's some to learn about RD is : no one deserve that!
Big hug, friend!