almost 2 years post od for RD

[cristina1676]

i am 37 weeks pregnant and had a scleral buckle fix my detached retina in 2006.  I know that i will always have a "blind spot" where the retina detached, but will this ever change? my Retinal specialitt (NJ) said that it is diagonal to where the buckle is. it is not a black spot, but it is blurry in the peripheral vision.  I went to him about 2 weeks ago and he said that the retina looks perfect.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If your retina had to be re-attached it was probably manipulated and lasered and though it is back in position - ineveitably there is some degree of damage to some areas of the retina - thus causing a blind spot to some degree.  Usually it is in the peripheral vision and most people won't notice it unless very observant.  There often has to be some type of burning (with laser or cryotherepy) in order to cause a scar that make the retina adhere down.  THe encircling band or buckle pushes the sclera closer to retina - the gas injected in the eye pushes retina closer to sclera and laser or cryo is often used to form a scar and make the retina stick down in select areas.  So you can see where certain areas of retina will have some damage in order to save the overall vision and especially the central vision.

MJK MD

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The blind spot should not change.  Now is a very exciting time with the new baby coming - so at least you should feel comfortable that retinal specialist saw the eye and thought that everything looked perfect.  That is great news!

MJK MD

[cristina1676]

thank you so much for the clarification! i was starting to panic...i guess i have too much time on my hands

[cristina1676]

so it is normal to have this blind spot? its not as bad in the bright light as the dim light. i can see the whole field of vision, but if i pass my hand up from my nose to my forehead, it gets blurry. i am grateful that he was so thorough with the exam. he wanted to make sure that everything was alright. being home  with nothing to do(but wait for the baby), you tend to "see" things more that your brain is not occupied with other things.