What to believe?

[banjellen]

I had a detached retina surgery (vitrectomy) a year ago september in my right eye and then it retached that november and had a different surgery. I was told (even in emails) by my "famous" surgeon that the macula was NOT affected and that my eye would be "as good as new."

This surgeon wanted to do preventive laser in my other eye and cataract surgery in my DR eye even though there was still a gas bubble in it.

I went for 2 other opinions and was told there was tissue damage so I would not have my vision back to normal. The RD eye is now 20/30. As a visual artist I am feeling so challenged by the whole traumatic experience. I decided to change to the surgeon that told me there was damage. Now I am told I can get a contact in the RD eye which will help with my vision.

Although, twice I went for glasses and was told the RD eye was too unstable.

ANY THOUGHTS......... feeling angry, upset, anxious, tense and more!!!!!!!!

Best

E

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I love stories with happy endings. Thanks and may your good fortune continue.

JCH MD

[banjellen]

Dear Dr. Hagan

I appreciate your wonderful responses to my questions. Last week, I was finally able to get a contact lens fitted for my RD eye. This changes everything! I no longer have a "fog" in the periphery of my right eye and both eyes are "working TOGETHER" fairly well for the 1st time in over a year. I am so grateful and feel it will/may get even better over time! The eyes working together is everything!!!!!!!!! especially since I'm a visual artist. It was so hard having 2 very different visions and am so grateful for the improvement!   Best and THANK  YOU,   Ellen

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

IOL = intraocular lens almost always put inside eye when cataract removed.

JCH MD

[banjellen]

Thank you so much for your response. It is helpful. Today I am going to have a contact put in my RD eye. Hopefully, it can be done as the last 2 times I was sent to an eye doctor, they said the vision in that eye was too unstable. The doctor I saw yesterday recommended the contact versus cataract surgery at this point.......

I have so much fear about anything in my eye......HA!

Anyway, you mention an IOL?  I don't know what that is. Can you tell me?

Best
and thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

e

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

20/30 vision after a RD that required a vitrectomy and a second RD and another surgery is an excellent result. If you take time to read the many posts about that type of surgery you will see many are left with poor vision to legal blindness.

That type of surgery is always a trial and an ordeal. I cannot comment on the need for contacts but that too is common because there is often too much difference between the lens of glasses to tolerate especially if a scleral buckle was done.

Know that a cataract always develops after a vitrectomy and that an IOL can be put in to "balance" the vision between the two eyes. Know also the risk of a RD in your other eye is as high as 15-18%.

JCH MD