Misaligned eyes after Retinal Reattachment surgery

[laurieire]

I was diagnosed with a retinal tear/ detachment affecting the macula. Reattachment surgery (Scleral buckle and gas bubble) was two weeks ago today. I've read many of the conversations here about surgery results and what to expect so I understand that results like poor vision, double vision, droopy eyelid, redness, dilated pupil, etc, takes awhile to determine end results. However there are two questions I've not founds answers to.

My eyes physically are no longer aligned. The repaired eye appears to be looking in another direction. I assume that's because of the buckle but does this usually become less apparent as the eye heals?

And the second: The gas bubble in my eye does not seem to be shrinking. My surgeon told me it usually disperses in about two weeks. Does anyone have any experience with it staying around a lot longer?

Oh, and one more thing - I was told that after two weeks of rest, I could resume normal activities. However, I'm worried about driving with my distorted vision as I drive a route for work. I can only wear one contact lense and with the gas bubble and the extremely poor vision in my left eye, it's harder to focus and I have poor depth perception. Can anyone tell me how they coped?

Thank you!

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

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[dkochr07]

I had a Retinal Detachment 16 years ago, from blount force trama, which included the injection of the gas bubble, along with a scleral buckle. After being seen by an Optometrist and the Emergency Room Dr, I did not get an accurate diagnosis for 5 days prior to my surgery, until I was seen by an Ophthalmologist - who referred me to another Ophthalmologist for surgery.

The first 6 months was painful and interesting. And the gas bubble will eventually disolve. Mine broke into millions of smaller, annoying bubbles and I had a larger "bug" eye for a long time, that would take a few minutes to catch up. I practiced rolling my eyes and looking back and forth, even though it was quite painful! I also had a piece of the silicone that protruded, and like the gas, it eventually became part of the eye. It now remains red and yellow in that location......

The nurses made me learn to use each eye independent and I can still cross my eyes with a trailing independent eye - my kids love that! That is the only time it moves on it's own now......

Each person's deficiency is different, but I am now bound to glasses - as a safety measure to not bump my eye. I recently tried contacts, but my good eye could not handle the new material being used. Contacts have changed over the years - 1995 was the last time I wore contacts and I wore them daily.

I have never been officially released to drive, but I found my biggest obstical being the loss of depth perception. I am more clumsy now when walking or cooking with the oven, but I am more careful when driving.

I went back to work with some challenges from the depth perception and fell up and down the stairs a lot!! Your brain and eye will adjust and you will eventually get back to some normalcy. I too was worried about the appearance and function of my repair, so after 16 years, I sometimes have a "bug" eye if I'm tired and it goes away with sleep.

Hang in there, it will get better......Best of luck to you.

[JodieJ]

Your buckle made your affected eye more nearsighted.  Once your gas bubble is gone and your vision is both eyes is corrected for distance (probably with contacts), it should be much easier for your eyes to work together.  So your problem may be only temporary.  But meanwhile you want to keep your job.  (Can you be re-assigned to other duties temporarily?  Is short-term disability possible for you?)

I didn't have a buckle, but I did have severe post-op suture inflammation which created significant (and changing) astigmatism.  Somehow my brain automatically ignored that eye, and I was able to drive using only my good eye.  (In my state, I probably should have gotten those special side mirrors to drive legally.)  Another woman posted that she got a special coating at Pearle Vision on one lens of her glasses to block her vision.  I don't want to give you advice that would lead to an accident, but there are thousands of one-eyed licensed drivers.  It might take a little practice for you to feel more comfortable with driving.

[krgpeace]

My husband just has a gas buble implanted a few days ago and we were told 5-6 weeks. The longer it stays in there the better chance of healing...don't hurry the process.

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

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[laurieire]

Thanks, JodieJ. I don't know how you were able to drive the day after! I felt horrible, sick and in pain, not to mention that huge bandage. Now, though, I think it would be easier for me to drive if I covered the bad eye. The problem is that both eyes won't focus together. I will practice; just not sure if I'll be able to drive for hours that I need to for work. If it doesn't improve, I'll check out those mirrors. Thanks again.

[JodieJ]

Many licensed drivers have good vision in only one eye.  It might take you a little time and practice to adjust, but there are lots of cues for judging depth perception.  (I was able to drive the morning after retinal surgery wearing an eye patch, but I agree that it's a little weird.)  If your vision in your affected eye doesn't improve soon, there are special side mirrors for your car that might make driving easier for you.

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

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[laurieire]

Thank you for your response. I'm relieved to know that there is hope for change and action I can take if there isn't any.

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

1. Your eye position may continue to change, especially if the vision is bad the eye "wanders". After 6-12 months you might consult an eye strabismus ophthalmologist to discuss your options.
2. Depends on the type and amount of gas put in the eye.

3. Hopefully someone will answer about adjusting.

JC MD