Flashing lights after retinal detachment surgery

[lez9321]

I had retinal detachment surgery just over a week ago now.  A few days ago I started getting flashing lights again (same as the ones I got prior to surgery) at the top corner of my eye.  This started with a few flashes so I went to see my surgeon who checked my eye and said it all looked ok.  But now 4 days later the flashing is on and off all day.  Is this normal? I phoned my local hospital and they said they would see me at the eye clinic on wednesday but I'm worried sick that - a) I have another detachment or b) I will always have these lights flashing and just have to put up with it.  Can you please tell me why I would be getting these lights? and am I right to be worried sick?

I would love to hear from anyone else who's gone through the same thing.

[Risa615]

Yeah, the blurry vision stays for several weeks.  I also found that my good eye, was watering because it was working twice as hard.
When I first had the surgery, I saw blue and it was not possible to watch tv without seeing the people distorted.  I did a lot of research online and found that six months is normal to really feel healed.   I had both the bubble and the surgery because I was completely blind by the time I had surgery.  I was told I had a 80% chance of seeing again if I did both and only a 50% chance if I only did the gas bubbles.  
I usually notice my floaters the most at night when I am wearing my glasses instead of contact lenses.  They don't really bother me that much.  
I was afraid of going blind again, so I had several checks up after the procedure. Now I only go once a year.   I was last seen in December and everything looks good.  I did have my other eye repaired with a laser to prevent detachment a few months after my surgery in 2005.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask since I know going through this surgery is difficult.

[lez9321]

Hi thanks for your last comment.  I have still got blurry vision nearly a month on from my surgery and went for an eyetest yesterday but was told to wait a few more weeks before I get a new prescription for my glasses.  I could only read the top 2 lines on the eyetest - you know the huge letters! Today I think I've got an eye infection though as my eye feels really gritty in the outer corner and uncomfortable - did you ever suffer these symptoms after your surgery?? So pleased that your last check up went well - its a worry and it gives me hope!!

[Risa615]

Oh yes, I couldn't really read for a long time.  My eye was red for months.  I still wake up with it red in the corner, so I am using wetting drops many mornings.  They gave me drops to use as a prescription for 2-3 weeks after surgery to prevent infection.  I remember looking in the mirror and feeling like my eye didn't look all the way open.

I would wait at least 6 months after surgery before getting new glasses.  I felt like my glasses were weak for a few months and then I was fine.  My prescription changed very little in the past five years.  

[lez9321]

Thanks again for taking the time to leave me a comment. I had the eye clinic again today and got a stitch taken out as it was what was causing me the eye irritation and gritty feeling.  It feels much better already.  On the downside today my eye pressure was extremely high so now I'm on drops to lower it - it feels there is always something wrong! My glasses are weak for me too, so much so that I cannot drive and I think I'm just in a rush to get new ones so I can have a normal life again! I will just have to be patiend as you've said it takes about 6 months to recover.  To think I didn't even know what a retinal detachment was a month ago!

[ngtuikuang]

I had retinal detachment surgery for my right eye on 20 Jan 2010. I am having same problem as yours that getting flashing of lights after a week from retinal detachments surgery and it create floaters to my left eyes also. Next 2 days I will goto futher check up, I hope can get good news from Doctor.

[irisheoin]

Hi guys im happy to read your storys about some flashing in the eye one week after detachment surgery as i have the same now. Worried sick that it has detached again. I have toxoplasmosis in the right eye which caused a lot of damage last flare up 5 years ago but has remained  quiet since, but it caused scarring on the retina and some macula damage which caused now the detachment.Sight in the eye before was probably 50% which before the detachment has fell to 10%. My surgeon is confident that i may get back as far as 70% which would be super. I had very invasive surgery of a scleral buckle and vitrectomy. My eye is now full of silicon oil and dilated daily so vision is very bad. i had surgery in dublin on 13 july 10, laid on my back to posture for 6 full days only taking a break for 5 minutes or so every hour before i could move around a little the last few days. So im really hoping my retina remains flat attached and in good condition and i will try not to worry until i see my surgeon again in a few days.. eoin ireland