flashing lights after retinal detachment surgery

I had retinal detachment surgery just over a week ago now.  A few days ago I started getting flashing lights again (same as the ones I got prior to surgery) at the top corner of my eye.  This started with a few flashes so I went to see my surgeon who checked my eye and said it all looked ok.  But now 4 days later the flashing is on and off all day.  Is this normal? I phoned my local hospital and they said they would see me at the eye clinic on wednesday but I'm worried sick that - a) I have another detachment or b) I will always have these lights flashing and just have to put up with it.  Can you please tell me why I would be getting these lights? and am I right to be worried ?

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

You have a retina surgeon who has performed a complex operation designed to keep you from going blind.  He has examined you and advised you that the surgery appears to be healing as expected.  To bring in another opinion less than 2 weeks after your surgery suggests that you don't trust him, in which case one has to wonder why you allowed that doctor to perform your surgery in the first place.  What you need to decide right now (and this isn't a medical decision) is if you feel confident that your surgeon is qualified and skillful.  This is not the same as being a great communicator.  If yes, then take your worries back to him and require him to give you a fuller explanation and to answer your specific questions that you pose above.  If no, then you're in a tight spot.

[lez9321]

Many thanks for your comment.  I think I have worried myself sick mainly because the flashes have got so much worse since I saw my surgeon, its scary.  I take on board what you say and I do trust the surgeon.  I think my problem has been the lack of information given out by him to me and from the hospital.  I will take a list of questions to him when I see him and hopefully that will sort out the communication problem.  I am grateful for websites such as this offering info and advice.