Scleral Buckle Surgery

[tacmom]

I had a scleral buckle surgery done on my left eye on 5/24.  There were some complications in the recovery room where I couldn't stop coughing after some kind of spasm.  (after they removed my tube from anatheasia)  I had scleral buckle surgery on my right eye 9 years ago and have had 2 laser surgeries on my left eye-once at the time they did the scleral buckle on my right and the other was about 2 months ago.  The laser surgery didn't work so they proceeded to do the scleral buckle. My recovery is going nicely.  I'm 6 days post-op now.  It's still blurry, but to be expected.  My eye still looks extremely red too.  I have one concern and I will address this to my dr when I see her.  (retinal specialist)  I noticed that the buckle seems to be protruding and I can see it.  I don't remember being able to see it in my right eye.  I can feel the buckles still in my right eye.  Anyways, I can feel it too and it is very uncomfortable.  Does the buckle move under the eyelid on its own?  I was told to sleep and lay on my left side and I have been doing this faithfully.  I'm worried that the coughing episode I had when I was coming out from the anaethesia might have messed something up.  Yesterday, my eye was extremely dry all day and I was so tempted to use the drops prescribed to me more often to keep it moisturized.  Is this a common side effect?  Maybe this is not something that can be answered on this board, but I thought I'd give it a shot.  I see my dr in a few days.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Hello tacmom. I'm not clear why you labled your topic 'retinitis pigmentosa' (RP) since your question has nothing to do with RP. Retinal detachment is not a common problem in RP. Perhaps for readers of this thread you might clarify if you have RP or not.

The scleral buckle does not move. It circles the eye like a belt and is stitched precisely to the eyeball (sclera). Depending on the location of the retina tears and the size of your eye and how much of sclera is visible with your eyelids wide open, the scleral buckle may be visible especially when looking to the sides or up. In some instances the buckle is removed because it moves (buckle migration) or pushes too far into the eye (intrustion). In most instances it is left indefinitely.

It is unlikely that the coughing in anesthesia recovery would disrupt the repair. In any case your retinal surgeon will give you frequent reports on the settling of the retinal detachment on the buckle. You can expect your eye to be red for several weeks.

The medications used after scleral buckles are very potent. Do not use them more often than your ophthalmologist (EyeMD) directs. If you need something for dryness you surgeon will probably suggest artificial tears (examples Systane, Opteve, Refresh). Do not put prescription eye drops and artificial tears in together. They should be used no more often than 20-30 minutes apart.

Good luck with your recovery

JCH MD

[tacmom]

I didn't want to put it under Retinitis Pigmentosa, but there was nothing else to post under that even fits Retinal Detachment.  I almost put corneal disease and outer eye problems, but that didn't even fit.  I'm also 34 so I don't fit the "aging population".  This was the thing that even came close to teh word "retina".

I called my dr because I was experiencing dry eye symptoms in my left eve.  She asked that I go ahead and come in for a checkup.  I have to go back again next week.  They are still seeing fluid behind my eye.  She said it is still better than it was before the surgery, but if the fluid remains, my retina could detach again.  She also said my vision is almost at where it was before surgery already so that is good news.

I know the buckle is permanent.  I was just afraid it was protruding in the corner of my eye because it is very visible.  The dr said it was just swelling and it takes time for it to go away, along with the redness.  

I haven't used the prescribed medicine more than usual.  I just said I was "tempted" to use it to make my eye feel better.  She gave me some tear drops to help with it, but she said to only use it if I'm really uncomfortable.

Looks like everything is going well.  If the fluid behind my eye drains the way it is supposed to, then I am on my way to a quick recovery.  :)

[bijut]

I had the same operation (left eye) as tacmom. My vision is still burry and I am seeing double vision. The left eye now looks smaller than right eye and it red.

Seen my doctor yesterday, he said I was doing fine as the retina is now intact. I am 39 and I did my surgery within 5 days of discovery.

Will I have my normal vision back?

[dancingbear]

  I had Scleral Buckle surgery the end of May and am still in a lot of pain and have a bloody, pus filled discharge.  I go to the doctors every other day.  At first they thought I might have a staff infection in the eyeball itself and went to get a tap and biopsy along with shots of antibiotics directly into the eye.  The biopsy and tap were clear but still no improvement. I also put fortified antibiotic drops in every 2 hours. Now the doctors say the buckle might be infected so I am on oral antibiotics.  I have terrible eye pain and headaches and live on Vicadin. Anyone having similar problems or any suggestions?????????????????