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macular hole recovery

Can anyone tell me how their recovery went?  Was the surgery painful?  Did you get your eyesight back?  Are you able to drive after recovery?  How difficult is the face-down recovery process?  Will I need help in daily care during recovery?
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Avatar universal
I had the surgery on May 3rd.  My Dr. ordered face down positioning for 1 week only.  In his experience, if the hole doesn't seal in 1 week, it probably isn't going to seal.  I did the face down for 2 weeks on my own, as extra insurance.  I saw him the day after surgery, then 5 days later.  Hole was sealed, eye was swollen, could not see because of the gas bubble.  I could not really open my eye for the 1st week.  Then kept it shut for the 2nd week since I could not see with it anyhow.  It took a full 2 months for the gas bubble to finally disipate.  I am still seeing the Retinal Specialist on a regular basis.  At first every week, then 2 weeks apart, then 3 and now the next visit is in a month.  I have no signs of a Cataract forming yet, the hole is still sealed.  My near sightedness has gotten worse by -2.25 diopters.  My vision has improved from 20:100 to 20:60.  I am still in the healing process.  I still see a bullseye in the center of the vision, but it is opaqueish, kind of see through.  My vision is definitly not as distorted as it was pre surgery.  The C3F8 gas vitrectomy is more successful for sealing the Macular Hole than the Silicone Oil Vitrectomy.  Also, when having the Silicone method, the cataract forms much quicker.  Then there is also the 2nd surgery to remove the Silicone Oil.  So, there will be 3 surgeries in a short amount of time.  If she can tolerate the face down positioning post gas vitrectomy, it is the way to go.  Tell her to hang in there.  Good luck with everything.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
If he decides to have the Vitrectomy to repair his Macular Hole, he needs to decide which method.  The Silicone Oil or the Intraocular Gas.  There will be head down recovery for the Gas.  My doctor said 1 week.  You can order the face down rental equipment from Vitrectomy Solutions.  This might not be easy for an 80 year old person to follow through with.  So, the oil might be the solution because there is no face down positioning for recovery.  But, they will have to have another surgery to remove the oil.  Plus, the formation of a cataract after an Oil Vitrectomy is expedited.
I chose the Gas and did face down for 2 weeks.  It has been 5 weeks and the hole is sealed.  I can see better with the eye than I could before surgery.  So, as of now I believe it's worth it.  I will see the Dr. again next week.  I still have the gas bubble in the eye and it distorts the vision somewhat.  I drove for the 1st time today.  I did fine.
You will need to help out during recovery.  At least for the 1st week.  My husband has been taking me to the Dr.appointments and to the grocery store.  So he will need help getting places for the 1st couple of weeks.
If I had to go through it again, I would.  I think that my eye sight will get better yet as the weeks go by.  Good luck.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Hi again--
  forgot to tell you that my results-after ten months with the macular hole-were 20-25 in that eye.My surgeon was really pleased and left me with the thought that he often gets 20-20 when the surgery is done before six months or as soon as is advised.
   However, we were both pleased....and of course ..I get some of the credit for selecting two super surgeons ,myself ,and for keeping my head down 24-7 for 12 days.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
This is interesting. I had  to stay in the hospital overnight and my surgery was 11/2 hours and I was in a twilight sleep but the gas bubble in my eye was gone within the 2 weeks span.It got smaller and smaller day by day and when I looked out right after surgery , it was like looking through water except at the top which provided a small area  with good vision.Each day when I would briefly raise my head for a few seconds, the "water level" was coming down and I could see fine above that.
By two weeks I was driving again with restored vision and back to my job.
I was thrilled with my vision. My problem was a little more complicated. I was diagnosed in August with a stage 1 macular hole and  it went ot a stage 2 and stayed there for a while. My doctor recommended I have the surgery at 4 months but I developed a sinus infection (and later RA) and wound up waitng 10 months to have the surgery(putting it off more than twice because I felt so bad). My surgeon was just about to toss me out the window but after giving me another eye exam instead ,he scheduled me for surgery "one last time".It went well and so did the resulting cataract surgery. But my surgeon told me "never to do that again!!" I think  they get much better results usually when the macular hole is smaller as it tends to heal better.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Hi!
I had Macular Hole surgery  in May 2003.No complications. Went home the next day and developed a mild headache which was easily controled with the pain prescription my doctor provided.
Keep your head down all the time for 2 weeks (my doctor did a test in his office and let me raise my head two days early).
It is a long process with the healing.The hole can reopen and living thorugh that is nerve wracking. Over a year later, I had the catarac surgery. (you dont have to wait that long-my first urgeon failed to tell me that).It was stressful because my second surgeon wanted me to do it with no sedatves-just local numbing eye drops. SO I was wide awake.But no pain and healing was much faster.However, the hospital charged $1,000 for anesthesia ,even though I didn't have it (they were there in case I needed it).(Rip off.)
   Also , my first sugery was in the hosptial proper  for the macular hole whereas my next surgery was in a center. Don't go the Center route. I wound up with a lot of inexperienced  technicians helping my surgeon and since I was wide awake ,I became nervous listening to them. Bummer!
   BUT NOW MY VISION is 20-25 in the eye operated on. This is wonderful-thanks to the operating skill of two surgeons.
   Be patient, hang in there and do the 2 weeks head down thng!Little pain involved. You can rent equipment for sleeping and to sit on during the day. You can rent a two way mirror for the chair you sit in during the day  and watch television--what saved me was getting  Centennial and other real good movies .Time passes a lot quickr than you think it will .    Yes , you will need someone to fix your meals .I developed RA shortly after my surgery and although the doctors say they are
relaed ,I have a theory that somehow they were and that the macular hole is the result of an inflamatory process---althought e doctors say it was bad luck.
Keep your head down and dont wait loger than 6 months to have the first surgery. You'll do fine and you WILL SAVE YOUR VISION!!
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
My wife has had the required op
No problem. Walked out withing 1/2 hr.
A standard massage bed was provided with a hole
for the face to look through. I placed a stool under
with a video portable player or could use a lap top computer
and she watched videos through the hole. She found the time required (2 weeks) face down was not easy but made more acceptable by being able to watch films. Her Eye is a lot better now after three months. She was driving after four weeks.
We think her problem was caused by a knock in the eye. Can anybody pass coment on this.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
not too many people here talking about macular hole.  good luck!  hope someone answers...

recovery is interesting b/c of the face-down thing.  whether or not you can drive will depend on your acuity and your state laws.  yes, you will likely need some help in recovery
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
A related discussion, macular hole repair post op was started.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, macular hole surgery was started.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Sorry, I forgot the question about the starting date of this thread.  It was the 5/02 date, no archives.  Also, my husband uses NasaCort nasal spray for his vertigo, it is a prescription.

Cealcats
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi,
You've probably read some of my comments on this site already.  I am very pleased with the progress after my Vitrectomy to repair my Stage II macular hole.  It has been 3 months since surgery and my sight has improved from 20:100 to 20:60.  It will probably get better.  The Dr. thinks it should get to 20:40 with correction.  
My question for you is, how frequently does the Vertigo affect you?  My husband has been diagnosed with vertigo also, but he has only had 2 episodes in 5 years.  They are pretty bad when they occur.  He feels very dizzy and nauseated.
If you have the gas injected to seal the macular hole, you will need to do the head down position for 1 week.  If you feel you cannot tolerate that, you could op for the silicone oil vitrectomy.  It does not require head down.  But, you would need to have a second surgery to remove the oil.  Also, you'd need the cataract surgery sooner.  Maybe they would do the cataract surgery when they removed the oil?  I would talk to your retinal specialist and of course your regular doctor about the vertigo.
Let me know what surgery you plan on having.  Good luck. If you have any other questions just post a comment.
Cealcats
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
thought I would update on my macular
hole surgery (performed july 12th 06
had my three week post op last wed.
doctor had good news hole is sealed!
and vision is now 20/6o which is quite
an improvement from legally blind!
gas bubble still there hopefully will
be fully gone in a couple weeks?
hope to be driving soon?
no sign of cataract yet go back in oct.
for another check hope to read even
more lines on chart!
in my opinion the operation was a breeze
and of course the head down time quite
an ordeal (but used no equipment)
just determination ! now I can say it
all was well worth it!
thanks for all your responses and
advice and information! god bless you
all!
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Avatar universal
Hi,
Did you ever have the Vitrectomy to repair your Macular Hole?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi,
I would definitely recommend getting the Vitrectomy to repair your macular hole.  You should see the Retinal Specialist again to have him explain everything in more detail.  Ask him what stage the Hole is.  Mine was only a Stage II, vision was 20:100.  It started as swelling behind the eye and I had a distortion in my central vision.  That's when I saw the Retinal Specialist.  Best case would be the swelling would go away and leave no permanent damage.  Chances were low that would happen.  He explained the stages of Macular hole at that time.  Ideally he would do surgery when it became a Stage II.  If he did it at a Stage I it could most likely make it into a Stage II anyhow.  I was diagnosed on March 28th and had the Vitrectomy on May 3rd.  As soon as became Stage II, I scheduled the surgery.  I opted for the gas, C3F8 Vitrectomy because he said the chances of success were higher.  Doing face down is not that bad if you rent the right equipment.  I rented the equipment through Vitrectomy Solutions.  They have a web site, but they are also who my Dr. recommended.  After surgery my doctor thought I could be corrected to 20:60 or 20:40.  Now he thinks 20:40 for sure, because I am at 20:60 now.  I see him again in 2 weeks.  If you opt for the Silicone oil Vitrectomy, you will have to have a 2nd surgery to remove the oil.  A cataract will form quicker with that proceedure too.  I am so glad that I had this surgery.  I would do it again if I had to.  Once you get a Macular Hole in one eye, the chances are 30% that you'll also develop an MH in the other eye.  I know that having diabetes probably makes things more complicated.  I wouldn't wait too long if I were you.  Make another appointment with the Retinal Specialist.  Have him coordinate efforts with your diabetes specialist.  Let me know what you've decided to do.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
My vision was blurry for a long time.  My gas did not totally disipate until 2 months post op.  At 2 weeks it was like looking thru a 3/4 filled glass of water.  Had some peripheral vision and some vision at the top of the eye.  Still felt some pressure.  At 16 days after surgery the gas was 1/2 gone but was still blurry from a reflection of the gas.  18 days after, I had a ton of tiny black floaters. They eventually went away. At 5 weeks after surgery the gas was at 10%. I am still using the pred forte once daily as per the Dr's. orders.  DO NOT lay on your back at any time.  You need to keep the gas behind the eye to delay the formation of a cataract.  Also, I did not drive until 6 weeks after surgery.  I didn't feel my vision was good enough.  I did start riding my bike again after the 2 weeks head down.  You can get up and go to the kitchen table to eat.  I also sat up to read, with my head down though.  I got the Large print books from the library.  I have not driven on the highway yet.  I still have a little blurriness in the peripheral vision.  Also, of course the opaque/gas filled hole still distorts the central vision.  It will get better tho, but not totally.  I was 20:100 pre surgery, I am now 20:60 with correction.  My Dr. is hoping for 20:40, if not 20:20 with correction. Be patient and the healing will continue.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
update (gas bubble surgery) day 8
vision still blurry! seeing floaters
does this mean bubble is dissapating?
have cut eye drops in half , holding
head part time now ! but still not
suppossed to sleep on back yet!
last visit to doctor was monday
very pleased with progress go back in
3 weeks! wonder when vision will return?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi,
My gas bubble is gone.  As of Monday morning.  It is 2 months today since surgery.  I still have the bullseye in the middle of my vision and always will.  It will hopefully get a little smaller.  I have a little distortion in my peripheral vision.  I think it's from the swelling still, where an instrument was inserted.  I see the Dr. on Friday the 7th of July.  Hopefully they'll do a thorough eye exam and I'll get a good prescription for the time being.
Have a good 4th of July.
Ceal
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi--good news from your end!!!It seems that your healing has taken longer. I think my eye must have been swollen too but my doctor chose not to tell me alot because he knew I was running to the internet and he wanted me to depend on him for all my information. Now that I look back over it, I should have but then I wouldnt know that he did a membranecetomy at the same time he did the vitrectomy. That may be one reason my vision improved so much--I think that peels away some tissue that has formed due to age whcih is clouding the vision somewhat.
I had the redness in my eye too for along time.
BUT --guess what -- I had the humming noise and also my hearing developed a high pitch sound that sounds like a bunch of crickets on the same note. But my retina doc just smiled (no comment). Well I wound up going to an Ear,nose and throat  doc and having an audiologist give me tests and then I learned that the noise  was being caused by a hearing loss in high frequencies levels. But the ENT doc didnt have a clue that my eye surgery( and head down positioning) caused it. Guess what ? We now have another good reason to make these docs get on the ball AND figure out another ,better way to  keep that gas bubble pressing against the back of the eye  than having to keep your head down 24--7for two weeks. While they are fixing the back of our eyes, they are making the front of our eyes sick(eventual cataract) and causing us to have hearing losses and  rining in our ears! ANd guess what --my ringing in my ears is still with me. 4 years after my macular hole surgery!!!
But I am so lucky . I went for 10 months and then my two surgeons repaired my vison to 20-25.And the hole has not reopened.
Personally, I give God some of the credit too. I was praying alot during those day (and do now too)--before my surgeries , I took my vision for granted. But these problems taught me a new  
understanding of the genius of specialists, the complexity of the human eye which is like  solar system in itself, and gave me a renewed appreciation for the signigicance of faith in a supreme being.
I have'nt heard more about Nancy's father -in  law. Hope he can have the surgery though,
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have always had good hearing.  Had to have an annual hearing test at work.  I hope the ringing will go away.  It doesn't bother me that much tho.  Sorry to hear that your ringing is still there.
I had everyone praying for me and was also praying for myself during the process of the eye degredation.  You are right, about the fact that Jesus is there to help us.  All we need to do is ask for the help.  We are also very fortunate to be living in the 21st century with all the updated medical proceedures.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi,
I had my 6 week appointment yesterday.  They dilated the eye again and did an eye exam.  Since I can see better, they did a more thorough exam.  The gas is now down to 10%.  I still see it in my lower vision.  It will move to the central vision when I tilt my head forward.  The Macular Hole is closed.  The Dr. said the reflection of the hole should start to appear smaller over time.  Thats when all the swelling behind the eye goes down.  The swelling is there because of the surgery.  Still, no sign of a cataract forming, which is great.  My vision has improved to 20:80 from 20:100 pre surgery.  That's with a new   -6.00 diopeter contact lens, from a -5.00 lens.  So, I've gotten more nearsighted.  He thinks in the end he will be able to get my vision down to 20:40 or 20:50.  I still have some redness where the instruments were inserted. That will go away with time.  I also have a high pitched humming noise in my ear.  He said it's from the head down positioning and the inner ear fluids.  It will also go away eventually.  My vision is so much better than before surgery.  I went to a movie and could see everything very clearly.  I have driven a few times and feel pretty good about it.  I haven't been on the highway yet. When the gas is gone I will give it a try.  I will see the Dr. again in 3 weeks.  I did order the book you recommended.  I should be getting it today in the mail.  Thanks.  Hope all is well with you.  I wonder if Nancylee or the father in law decided on having the surgery or not.  Have you heard from them?
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi!
One thing to consider is that the body heals faster ,I think, when one is younger.But if your father does not have the macular hole surgery , he will -either at any time or over the next year have a problem with the hole's getting larger.  I had put my surgery off longer than my surgeon had recommended because I did not feel well (had developed RA snd did not know it).
One day when I was driving , I realized that I could not see a car off in the distance that was really there.I could see it with my good eye but the hole in my affected eye had gotten so large that the car was missing! That is scarery.
As we age,our vision becomes more and more important.The macular hole surgery is a miraculous advancement .If your father's doctor thinks he can withstand anesthesia okay then I think your dad could make it if he is determined to keep his head down--there is equipment he can use to prop his head on so that he can sleep.You can also buy pillows made like wedges to put under his chest to make him more comfortable when sleeping. He might do well with a mild sedative to help him to sleep.
The silicone oil  has to be surgically removed later and any surgery with the eye is risky and requires healing so to get the best results the fewer operatins the better ,in my opinion.
When I was doing my research on vitrectomy ,I came across some doctors that performed the macular hole surery and the cataract surgery in the same surgery day ,one right after the other.--their clinic was in California I think.They reported good results.
That might be an avenue I would want to explore if older because
there would be resolution over  a much faster period of time.
I hope he can work it out to have the surgery. It is not fun to keep your head down for 2 weeks but it is worth it if  and only if he will do it.
My vision is now 20-25 in my eye so I thank God every day that they  had this surgery  for this problem.The key ,besides being clever enough to find ways to watch tv with the two way mirror etc. and  listening to books on tape etc , is to make sure he has a skilled surgeon.
He will need  helpers to help him keep his spirits up and prepare meals , answer the phone and doors. He doesn't need to be alone through this.Someone should be in the house with him at all times.
But he can do it.Tell him to give it the ole college try!

Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Good Morning,
I know that my Dr. had to remove part of the Vitreous Gel during surgery.  I'm not sure how much.  It was done to clean up the edges around the hole.  So now it needs to replenish.  I did not have any complications during surgery.  He said I was a "Textbook Case" and everything went very well. Plus it only took 1 hour instead of 1 1/2 hours.
The gas is below the center of my visual field.  But, when I move my head down slightly, it can go right to the center like having a contact lens with the wrong prescription.
You are so fortunate to have the gas go away so quickly.  I still have the bright green bracelet/Medical Alert on my wrist to warn about the Gas Bubble in my eye.
I'm off to take my cat to the vet on my own.  The first time driving in 5 weeks.
What is the name of the book you have on eye diseases?  Thanks.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
It does take time for the gas bubble to go away and the swelling to subside. My guess is that  our retina surgeons have different  ways of explaining to patients  what is occurring.However, my specialist did not want me wearing contact lens in that eye until all the redness in the white of my eye from the surgery was gone.
I had and still have some tiny broken bloodvessels where he put the incisions in my eye. My opthalmologist told me it was okay for me to use the contact lens even though the redness was still there (tiny visible blood vessels)but that was over a year later!!He added that my retina specialist had not wanted me to wear contact lens in the eye while there was any swelling there.
there is a visual test they can do in the Retina Doctor's office  (seems like the abbreviated name for it is OTC --and it will show the extent of healing of the hole.It is a simple test but very valuable  to the trained eye  in seeing what the hole is doing.)
I am concerned that your doctor has put a gas in your eye which is taking so long to be absorbed. In my opinion, you should have been seeing spendidly after 14 days.There is no need for you to have to go so long with a gas bubble in your eye and I would love to know what advantage this will gain for you?Will it hasten the development of a cataract? the whole purpose of the gas bubble is to press against the back of the eye --not the front of the eye where it is right now. I am thinking you may already have the cataract and that is why you cannot see well.
But I would definitely not wear the contact lens yet--confront your doctor about my questions and let me know what he says. I realize every surgery and patient is different but  I am thinking  you may need to pop into another docotor's office real soon for a second opinion because t he informatin you are sharing is not at all  what  I would have thought would have been
the result of Stage 2 surgery.
In two weeks after surgery ,I was at 20-30. My vision stayed that way until my cataract was fully developed at which time I was legally blind in the eye (again).But within 6 weeks after my cataract surgery I was at 20-25 and that has been holding up now for over a year.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
The gas is behind the eye.  It appears that you are seeing through it and it looks as if it's in front of the eye.  It is definitely the gas because it is one big blob like a contact lens with dark edges, floating at the bottom(which in reality is a the top and behind the eye).  Could it be that you had the SF6 intraocular gas and not the C3F8??  Maybe it reabsorbs more rapidly.  Or just that you heal quicker than I do.  Another article said the gas can remain in the eye up to 2 months.  Also that the eyes own natural fluids eventually replace the gas.
At 3 weeks post op there was no sign of a cataract.  I asked then if I could wear the contact in that eye. The R. Specialist told me that I could as long as it did not irritate my eye.  Also at 3 weeks I could not read the eye chart, but could see other things.  So, my Dr. thought that it was excellent that I was regaining my eyesight already.
I will have another recheck next week at 6 weeks post op.  I know that I still have swelling behind the eye.  When that improves, the size of the reflection of the hole will get smaller too.  Yes, my Dr. uses some instrument with a bright light to examine my eye.  That's how he tells if there is a Macular Hole and the Stage it's in.  Also shows him if it is sealed after the surgery.  I do have very high regards for my Dr.  I just must be slower at recovering.  My vision is much better now than before the surgery in the portion of the eye that I can see out of(which is about 2/3's).  You were just very lucky to regain your vision so rapidly.  I'm hoping it will be at least a year or more till a cataract forms in my eye. I will keep you informed.  Thanks it helps to compare notes.
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