My husband is having repeated retinal detachments and surgery

[BCHurt]

My husband had a retinal detachment, macula off as well. Had a vitrectomy, lasered everything back in place, and three weeks face down yet it detached again.  Back to surgery for vitrectomy and scleral buckle, three and a half weeks face down yet it detached AGAIN!  Now he is home from a third detachment.  Lens had to be removed and oil placed in the eye. The doctor says it must stay for "3 to 6 months" but what then?  Everything I read says the retina may detach yet again, and even a lens replacement could cause another detachment. Is there any hope? He is a hobby machinist and avid cycler...so our lives are in a tailspin. How many times can the retina/macula detach before the eye goes blind?

[JohnHaganMD]

This is a very bad problem. To put things into perspective before modern RD surgery these eyes went blind 100%. With modern technique 90% of retinas can be re-attached with one surgery. Even then the eye often not regain full vision especially of macula off RD. 10% require 2 or more surgery. Perhaps 1% cannot be reattached.It is not possible to say what type of vision you husband will have a year from now. The chance of a full recovery is very low. The most important thing is his OTHER eye. It has a chance of RD that may be as high as 10%  Ask the retina surgeon about problems and risk of OTHER EYE. Be sure to take extra care of good eye, avoid injury, yearly eye exam, live healthy lifestyle, don't smoke, keep weight, blood pressure, blood sugars, triglycerides all good.

[BCHurt]

I am overwhelmed with grief and despair.

[JohnHaganMD]

Then get yourself some support and help. Friends, family, church, family physician or if necessary a psychologist or psychiatrist. He can do nicely all his life with vision in one eye if necessary just take great care of the good eye.  And maybe head over to a despair/mental health forum.