retinal surgery recovery

[mcleofus]

I had a detached retina repaired on January 23, 2009.  the vision is still blurry and wavy.  have not had my glasses corrected as yet, doing that this week.  my question is this - will the wavy and blurry vision very go away?  I use one contact for mono vision, with the surgeried eye as the close up vision. (had a cataract implant on that same eye 6 years ago)  I see my surgeon regularly and have mentioned this to him - should I be saying something different or will this all heal in time and how much time should I expect to have this problem go on.

Thanks in advance for your time.

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

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[katika29]

You sent me a private note, which I answered you some time ago.  I was wondering if you ever received it, because I find it hard to tell with the MedHelp set-up.  I too have had many surgeries for my detached retina, the last one was about two and a half years ago. At that time my surgeon did both a buckle and vitrechtomy at the same time during my operation.  I too had silicone placed in eye.  I wrote you that I still haven't had the silicone removed but will be doing it as soon as I finish taking care of my other health problems first.  I have not had any adverse effects from the silicone being in so long.  At my last appointment the Dr. showed me the diagnosic visual test results that he took right after the surgery, and the one that he took that day, 2 1/2 years after the surgery, which shows that my macular pucker has gone down and is better now than right after the surgery, and when I do take out the silicone oil I will not have to fix the macular pucker because the pucker, which usually results from the surgery, is a scar and it has gone down on its own. Just wanted to let you know that there is a possibility that your pucker could also get better with time.  However, each case is different, so it is best to follow your Dr. instructions.

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

Almost any type of intraocular surgery (cataract, cryopexy, laser treatment of holes, etc) can cause a macular pucker, also known as epiretinal membrane.

JCH MD

[MsAnnRN]

I had 3 surgeries for RD's since January, also. After the second, I also had the waviness in straight lines and increased blurry vision.  I was told by a tech it was because of the buckle.  I know that my macula was never involved per my surgeon.  However, after posting a question about my symptoms on here, Dr.Oyakawa responded  that it could be a macular pucker.  Sure enough, at my next visit, I asked my doctor about it, he checked me and that is what I had.  I will have the ERM procedure when I have the silicone oil removed in a few months.  So, if your macula was not involved, ask about a macular pucker.  Talk to your surgeon!!!

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

RD surgery is a slow heal and some further improvement may be seen for up to a year. However it is possible to reattach the retina and have the eye not make a full recovery especially if the macula was detached. Discuss with your surgeons. Ask whether the macula was pulled off.

JCH MD