membrane peel and distorted vision

First of all I have to say this is a great sight and I appreciate everyone’s efforts in making it so. Three weeks ago I had a membrane peel (right eye) for a macular pucker after previously having a retinal detachment repaired (4/10) and a cataract removed and replaced with a toric lens (8/10). My up close vision may have already improved a little but my distance vision seems to have gotten worse than before the membrane peel. Objects appear to be smaller by at least 25% when compared with my left eye. I was wondering if this is something that may improve as my eye continues to heal. How long should I wait to be fitted for a new corrective lens for my glasses? .At the three post opt. appointments my Retina surgeon said everything looked fine. I have another appt.scheduled with the retina surgeon at the end of this month. Thank for all your help

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You vision depends on your refraction.  If near vision is getting better you may need glasses for distance.  The image being small may indicate residual pucker or cystoid macular edema.

Dr. O.

[JodieJ]

I really hope that the image size difference between your eyes shows improvement during the coming weeks.  Did your image size disparity first appear after your ERM peel?  What does your surgeon say about it?  (I also experienced an image size difference following ERM surgery.  In my case, there was no improvement until after I had a second ERM surgery.)

I believe that new glasses are usually prescribed around 3 months post-op.  You are still early in the healing process.  My vision was about 20/50 before my first surgery and was much worse than that immediately afterward.  It eventually improved to 20/20+.  As long as your vision isn't getting worse, I don't think you need to be concerned.  If you did not have "sutureless" surgery, your visual recovery will take longer.  You can download a free eye chart and track your progress at home.  



Usually glasses are prescribed at about 3 months post-op.

[sugardaddy1]

Thank you Dr. Oyakawa for your response, I will ask with my Retina surgeon about the size disparity at my next appointment later this month.

[sugardaddy1]

Thank you Jodie, sounds like you have done a lot of research on this subject. Did you also have a detached retina? My image size disparity first appeared after my retinal detachment repair so it was before my ERM peel. I am glad your eyesight has improved to 20/20. Did the same surgeon do both of your ERM peels or did you get another surgeon for the second one? Have a great weekend.

[JodieJ]

I think that the smaller image size in your affected eye is related to changes in your retina secondary to your detachment and the surgery to repair it.  You can find a technical explanation for this in Gerard de Wit's paper, "Retinally Induced Aniseikonia"  (available for free download at his opticaldiagnostics ******* website).  The website also has good information about correcting an image size difference with contacts/glasses.  At least in my case, this type of correction made my vision with both eyes much more comfortable.

The larger image in my affected eye was related to pieces of membrane which my first surgeon had left in my eye.  They were peeled by a different surgeon.  Based on the info you posted, it seems like your retinal surgeon did a fine job, and you won't be needing a second ERM surgery.