loss of focus after multiple detached retinas

I had 3 detached retinas in the same eye over a 5 month period.  After the 3rd one they removed my lens because it was so cloudy the surgeon coudn't see into my eye; inserted silicone oil and didn't remove it for 6 months.  Now, 3 months after he removed the oil I have very poor focusing on my retina.  20-100 to 20-200 with maximum correction through a contact lens.  I was told my rods and cones are damaged from all of the trauma.  I would like to know if it is just the rods and cones that are causing my inability to focus sharply and if so, is there any treatment to improve their function?  Will they improve on their own over time?  Or are other parts of the retina possibly damaged as well causing my inability to focus clearly?  Please help a very frustrated person!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You likely have some degree of epiretinal membrane, and or macular edema, and or macular ischemia with reduced vision.  Things will usually not just get better all by itself.  It is a difficult situation and your vision will be reduced permanantly to some degree which remains undetermined.  The thing is for the retina specialist to do everything possible to prevent or reduce any macular edema and the general ophthalmologist can make sure the cornea, lens and remainder of the eye is in the best possible shape.  It is more complicated that just sick rods and cones, it has to do with swelling and injury of them as well as the nerve fiber layer, the retinal pigment epithelium and retinal micro ciruculation.  Everything needs to be in good working order, together, to have good vision.  Your eye is sort of like a laptop computer that was dropped 15 feet to the ground.  It is not put back together but not running very well.  Unfortunately with the eye, the retina cannot be replaced with a new one and there will certainly be some degree of permanant damage.  Try to keep a very healthy diet and lifestyle and maximize your overall health, take plenty of proper antioxidants (consider an eye formula like I-caps) and omega-3 fish oil, lutein, etc.  Keep in close touch with your retinal specialist and make sure you have an excellent one for your difficult case.

MJK MD