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Am I going blind?
Dear Dr. Hagan,
I am Thiri from Myanmar. I am 8 weeks after segmental scleral buckle surgery and cyropexy and also some laser done on my right eye. Before surgery I have -1.75 D in the left and -2.75D. My vision didn't change much after the surgery. I can still wear the same glasses. I have two lattice areas in the right and one at the left. Barrage laser was done for the lattices holes in the left eye. My doctor also said I have thin retina. I asked him if my retina was too thin? He replied there are other people who are thinner than me. I am afraid of future re-deattchment as I am only 28. I could see well with glasses from now. I just have some occasionally flashes of light ball in the peripheral area, may one 3 or 4 times a day. However, even after two months post surgery, I can't stop thinking about my eyes. I am 223 lb. Therefore, I tried to get a proper diet to avoid future complication. My happiness are all gone and I am paranoid. I have read other stories. Some people are very lucky. There are no re-deattachment at all even after 30 or 40 years scleral buckle surgery. Some are not. According to the data about, what is the possibility of being blind in my life? I knew it is a difficult question. However, I can't ask the doctors here. I really appreciate and looking forward to hear from you. I believe I will feel better when I hear from you. Thank you so much Dr. Hagan. Will I develop new lattice holes? Is lattice holes born with me or I develop in my late 20s? Is there any diet to get my retina back to normal thickness? I'm eating carrot, eggs, fish, and vision support supplement. During these days, my left eye felt some pain and I wonder if it was the laser retinopexy affect? My apology for asking too much question. You are my only hope. Thank you!
I am Thiri from Myanmar. I am 8 weeks after segmental scleral buckle surgery and cyropexy and also some laser done on my right eye. Before surgery I have -1.75 D in the left and -2.75D. My vision didn't change much after the surgery. I can still wear the same glasses. I have two lattice areas in the right and one at the left. Barrage laser was done for the lattices holes in the left eye. My doctor also said I have thin retina. I asked him if my retina was too thin? He replied there are other people who are thinner than me. I am afraid of future re-deattchment as I am only 28. I could see well with glasses from now. I just have some occasionally flashes of light ball in the peripheral area, may one 3 or 4 times a day. However, even after two months post surgery, I can't stop thinking about my eyes. I am 223 lb. Therefore, I tried to get a proper diet to avoid future complication. My happiness are all gone and I am paranoid. I have read other stories. Some people are very lucky. There are no re-deattachment at all even after 30 or 40 years scleral buckle surgery. Some are not. According to the data about, what is the possibility of being blind in my life? I knew it is a difficult question. However, I can't ask the doctors here. I really appreciate and looking forward to hear from you. I believe I will feel better when I hear from you. Thank you so much Dr. Hagan. Will I develop new lattice holes? Is lattice holes born with me or I develop in my late 20s? Is there any diet to get my retina back to normal thickness? I'm eating carrot, eggs, fish, and vision support supplement. During these days, my left eye felt some pain and I wonder if it was the laser retinopexy affect? My apology for asking too much question. You are my only hope. Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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8 Comments
Dr. I just found out yesterday that both of my eyes were 360 lasered. Before all this happen, I am not educated about all these things. The doctor who lasered me is just an opthal, not a retina specialist. She never explained me the risk and i thought only my lattice has been treated. I feel so depressed. If 360 lasered will bring the risks, what the risk could be? Will the laser scar will be there forever? Am i risker to have an RD before treatment or the same after treatment? Does 360 do any good things? I am so worry about my future. I still would like to have a kid as I am married. However, as my future is uncertain, should I prepare to be blind? but now, my vision is 20/20 with glasses.
I feel very regret that why I don't have a brain to seek for the second opinion.
Some says that if the retina after surgery for laser or scleral buckle is stable for three years, then it is likely to be stable for the rest of your life. Is it true? Do I need to worry about this all my life now? Will this type of laser retinopexy effects future RD surgery difficult? I am looking forward your answers. Thank you so much for the comments and encouragement.
The 360 degree should decrease the risk. You must have had a lot of lattice to do that much laser. As I told you earlier you are over-reacting. The chances of you have poor vision or blindness is extremely small. Move on with your life. Start your family when you are ready. As we say in the USA "Lighten up and enjoy life".
Thank you Dr Hagan. You made my day, not just one day, everyday. Whenever I felt lonely and painful, I read your comment again. Even though I haven't met you in person, and even though you don't know me, you always try to response in one day. Thank you for everything and thank you for being patient. I am very lucky to have known you and read other comments. Thank you!
Best of luck. We are all brothers and sisters in humankind.
Dear Dr Hagan, Thank you for all the comments above. Whenever I am down, I read all your comments again and they cheered me up. You are such a great person. Just to say thank you again!
Thank you. Hope you continue to do well.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you continue to see a competent Eye MD ophthalmologist the rest of your life and change your lifestyle to live more healthy (mainly lose weight to avoid diabetes and hypertension) the changes of you going blind in your lifetime are remote. Impossible to calculate with extreme accuracy but 1 in 1000 would probably still be too high. 6-8% of the population have lattice (think spots in the retina). I have lattice in both eyes. It is not related to lifestyle and is more common in those of us that are myopic or nearsighted. The retinal operation did not change your glasses Rx because you had a segmental buckle not an encircling band which makes the eye more myopic. Get a family doctor. Go in for a general exam to be sure your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars, etc are good. Get on a diet and a mild exercise program like walking daily for about 30 minutes. Don't smoke or use nicotine or cannabis or strong drugs like heroin. If over the next several months you continue to obsess about your eyes consider seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist to get your mental state in a better place. Projection of light, flashes after your type of surgery is very common and may last many months. There are a number of posts you might search out and read. Avoid head trauma and avoid contact and racket sports which carry risk of injury. Right now I think your eyes are probably doing better than your mental attitude. Make this your turn around day and get your mind and body in shape to last a long lifetime.
2 Comments
Thank you so much Dr Hagan. You are indeed superhero for me. God bless you and wish you the best! <3 <3 <3
You are welcome
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