2 retinal detachments, 2 surgeries, and now new symptoms..

[backhurtz]

I developed a sudden retinal detachment almost 3 years ago. Had surgery with a buckle , started to regain some vision, then a second detachment in same eye, 3 months later. A second buckle and vitroectomy(?) was done. Never regained vision in eye, instead have a grayish cloud . Last night, it felt like pressure inside eye, followed by pain, and watery eye. Several hours later, Eye is still painful and still feels like there is pressure. I am obviously concerned, but am unsure what might be causing this since I never regained vision. I also have a slight headache on that side of my temple. Any idea what may be going on now? What I can do to ease the pain and pressure feeling?

[backhurtz]

Oh boy... thank you for answering. It’s strange, the top of my eyeball is painful, and feels like there is pressure. It’s very uncomfortable. The surgeon who did the 2 retinal surgeries is a few hours away from my home. I will try to find an ophthalmologist nearby. I hope it doesn’t take long to get an appt.

[JohnHaganMD]

Ask for same day, emergency exam.

[backhurtz]

I saw the ophthalmologist. They are unable to determine what’s causing the inflammation and pain, so am seeing another retinal specialist for a B scan tomorrow. Trying to get in to see a retinal specialist in my area is ludicrously difficult. The only other wanted me to wait a week. The ophthalmologist did say that there is a severe ‘dense cataract’ which makes it impossible to see the back of the eye. She also said I am legally blind in my right eye.
No idea what today will bring, but guess I will find out. Thankfully, the pain has subsided finally.

[backhurtz]

I just wanted to THANK YOU for taking the time to answer me today. I’d be lying if I said I am not worried. She also said the pressure in my left eye is high, and some glaucoma. Doesn’t sound good to me.

[JohnHaganMD]

Establish a team of ophthalmologists that you can get into see same/next day if emergency.  Discuss whether the cataract in the bad eye needs to be removed. Cataracts can become 'too ripe" and start to break up in the eye and cause pain, inflammation and high pressure.  Take good care of your left eye it must last the rest of your life.

[backhurtz]

I saw the retinal specialist. There is apparently a third year/separation of the retina in the right eye. Also scar tissue. She confirmed I am considered legally blind in the right eye. She said there is some growth of extra blood vessels in that eye, but put me on atropine and invelty for 2 weeks to reduce the inflammation. Then an injection to reduce the extra blood vessels? As far as the cataract goes, she said it may not be worthwhile trying to remove it since she is uncertain that I would gain any vision.

[JohnHaganMD]

I did not say removing the cataract would make you see better, I said to keep from getting "hypermature or too ripe"  Only the Eye MD looking at it can tell if that is a possibility.  The complications you are having is very common as I indicated and are very difficulty to  treat. They can lead to a severe type of glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. Be sure your good eye is examined carefully and has not problems.  Protect your good eye from injury and lead a healthy lifestyle.

[backhurtz]

Dr. Hagan,
I wasn’t implying you had. I mentioned possibly removing the cataract because during the last two days of eye exams, we discovered some peripheral vision of light around what I assume is the cataract, so I wondered if removing it might restore some vision in my right eye. I wondered if it might be worthwhile to try. Given that I did not expect to see any light in that eye at all, it took me by surprise. I greatly appreciate all of the time and advice you have generously provided during what has been a difficult time.

[JohnHaganMD]

I wish you the best of good luck and fortune and remind you to make sure you and your physicians always carefully examine the 'good eye"  easy to get carried away the bad eye and overlook checking it meticulously.

[backhurtz]

Thank you again Dr. Hagan. The ophthalmologist plans to conduct rather extensive follow ups for keeping my vision in the left eye. She seemed thorough, careful, knowledgeable and very concerned about preserving the vision in my left.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[JohnHaganMD]

You need to call your ophthalmologist immediately and get in to see what the problem is.  There is something worse than a blind eye or an eye that doesn't see well and that is a blind/partial vision painful eye.  Many eyes with your history develop a severe type of glaucoma down the line.