after laser photocoagulation and computers

The docs just found a retinal tear last week and lasered it. I went back to my job as a computer programmer, and 24 hours later started seeing an intermittant "curtain" in the affected eye. I went back to the doc, and was re-lasered. He gave me some literature to read written by an eye surgeon who had suffered a retinal tear. In his article, this surgeon said to avoid activities which cause "intra-occular" currents, since these currents will cause traction on the retina, defeating the laser photocoagulation. He said it is okay to watch TV, since one usually stares at the TV, and there is little eye movement. But, he said the WORST thing you can do is read or work on the computer. This warning is of great concern to me since it is what I do -- and -- it is consitent with the fact that I had to return to the doc for more of the laser after spending 9 hours on the computer plus 3 hours reading. I asked my doc about this, and he said to ignore it (the literature which HE provided!). He said that if it were true, then sleeping would be out, since in REM sleep the eye is moving quite a bit. But I just looked up REM sleep duration on the internet, and found that it only lasts for seconds, maybe an hour at the most.  In comparison, a programmer like me works for 9 hours plus on the computer, rarely taking the eyes off the screen which I am reading.  

I am concerned that I may be doing damage to my eyes.  Should I take a few days off work and rest my eyes? ( I am a consultant, paid by the hour, so doing so will be quite costly.) Should I take off more time?  What is appropiate?  I would pursue this quesiton with my doc, but fear that he has a conflict of (self) interest. I have lost confidence, and suspect that he does not want to admit error after having provided a document that contradicts his advice, and is possibly wary of lawsuit -- given our current culture, not unjustified -- though lawsuit is the furtherst thought on my mind. I am worried about my eye, and only want help.    Thank you.




This discussion is related to after laser photocoagulation.

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

Your post treatment activities should be outlined by the surgeon Eye MD. It vaires.

Using your eyes for TV, reading, computer after retina tear RX is generally not respected.

If you don't have confidence in your surgeon then switch to a different one.

JCH MD