Post-op Diplopia

[Kvaa]

I am 7 days post-op and was wondering if anyone who had the decompression surgery experienced diplopia (double vision) as an after effect?

I have developed a small blood clot that is pushing on my brain stem and affecting my right eye after surgery. I go back in on Friday to get the staples removed and will learn more about my options at that time.

Also, has anyone had any experience with Fresnel prisims/glasses which is sounding like the way they are going to push me until my vision issue resolves itself ....

[selmaS]

  Keep in mind you have a lot of healing yet to do....and working is going to take a toll on how well that recovery will be....


Did you raise your computer monitor so it is at eye level? If not, raise it up this can help not only with your eyes but neck, and back pain....

Keep us posted on the review of your MRI and the lesion and possible stroke.....

[Kvaa]

I've taken it as slow as I can afford to (not too many options for a single mom of 4 with no help). I went back to work part-time on May 12th. Work has been EXTREMELY accommodating. Although I am there for roughly 5/6 hours a day, once an hour, someone comes and checks to make sure I've taken a break and have rested my eyes for a little bit. We have adjusted the lighting in my office and computer screen display to make it easiest on my eyes. If it gets too much, I leave early. I'm not on the computer everyday all day so that helps as well.

There is the possibility that I may have had a small stroke during surgery. The neurologist found a midbrain lesion that wasn't there before surgery. Neuro opthamologist is reviewing my MRIs and Drs notes before I go back for more measurements to see if my vision is improving at all (just not enough for me to notice).

[selmaS]

  You are still in the early stages of recovery.....when did you go back to work? and what do you do at work? Could be you are over doing it...and need to slow down and take it a little slower..

[Kvaa]

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I've been running the gamut of emotions.

I still have the double vision. Although my eyes are functioning and moving better, the vision itself hasn't changed any. It seems I have traded one type of headache for another. For me personally, it's least irritating/stressful for my eyes to not have either covered. But it makes working almost impossible. I am also more light sensitive than I was before. Working with computers is a nightmare and that's what I do and who I am .... I am the IT guy.

The sheer amount of prism they need to put on a pair of glasses is enough to elicit an immediate headache. It actually hurts to put those glasses on. I've been trying to train myself to wear them and have gotten up to 1.5 hours before I cannot stand it anymore.

Neuro opthamologist says the issue is more complicated than the NS originally thought. NS thought it was only one eye that was affected. Turns out, both 6th cranial nerves had palsy causing horizontal misalignment but I also have a vertical misalignment that seems to be a mystery.

[selmaS]

  Hi...I myself did not have that issue and as of now can not recall anyone else having it either....that does not mean it has not happened....

Vision issues are common post op...and we all seem to fall all over in different ranges of issues.....

Do keep us posted on your progress and treatment for this issue.