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When can I put contacts in after retina surgery? Experience

Hi all

25 yr old who had sceral buckle and a 6 week gas bubble placed in my eye for a retinal detachment. I have gone to the doctor about 4 times and they say the retina is staying attached and looking good. The gas bubble is still in (and highly annoying. Before the operation I was a major contact wearer and didn't have any back up glasses

So now I am stuck with a contact in m good eye and nothing in my bad eye. I was a -5.00 in the bad eye before the operationa nd as it was explained, my script is going to change, I know that over the next few months...but i would like to start seeing something out of the eye (not to mention its kinda tough keeping the eye open when I see 20/20 out of the good eye)

I asked my doctor when I can put a contact in there (since she thinks its pointless to get glasses) and she said I could put my old script of contact in the bad eye now,if i wanted to (since my eye is recovered froms surgery)

I still have about 10-15 percent of the gas bubble left. Does this sound ok to everyone else? I am nervous to put something in the operated eye, as when something like this happen you kinda get freaked out. However I am anxious to start seeing something out fo the operated eye. I know I am def more nearsighted now but I figure putting that int here could atleast help me seeing more (i.e. especially driving)

Any thoughts?
29 Responses
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
Yes very scary, glad yours are sorted. Thankfully, I got the all clear that the tear is healing after the lazer and not to worry . I'm noticing every few days the floaters are slowly disappearing. Hoping my eyesight will be back to normal soon and to not have to go through all this again.
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
kjb13,

Back in September while at my ophthalmologist having a thorough exam for macular pucker symptoms in my left eye, he discovered a significant retinal tear in my right eye that he treated on the spot with laser.  Fortunately both the vitrectomy performed for the macular pucker and the laser treatment have both turned out well, and I agree that having issues with both eyes at the same time was concerning.
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
I had laser surgery for a tear in my retina in my right eye almost 2 weeks ago, after having my left eye checked twice as I had a shadow in that one and that was ok, so couldn't believe my good eye ended up with a tear a week after the left one was checked. On the day of the surgery I woke up with a large cobweb floater which really affected my vision, so very scary but after a week that has reduced by 3 quarters, hopefully it will completely go soon.  So have my appointment in 2 days time to see if lazer worked. Fingers crossed. As previous messages have said it was the scariest thing thinking it could lead to losing eyesight and finding out it could happen again in either eye.
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177275 tn?1511755244
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Avatar universal
I have lots of thoughts, as I have just gone through two of these surgeries.  It happens that I am a physician as well.

In regard to the question of contact lenses after RD, first, know that the refraction and fit are completely different after surgery and recovery.  Also, know that it is risky to use and handle contacts lenses as long as you continue to need eyedrops -- especially steroid drops, which raise the risk of eye infection.
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4 Comments
This was very helpful--thanks.  I was told I could put my contact back in, but am still on the steroid eye drops for another week & appreciate the reminder that infection potential is higher w/ steroids.
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I used glasses exclusively after I had a vitrectomy/ERM peel with gas bubble and following subsequent cataract surgery, and only went back to wearing contacts after two months or so had passed and all Rx eye drop usage had ended.
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Avatar universal
I am 1-month post-RD. Scary.  My recommendation to anyone reading this board and concerned they may have a detachment, RUN to an opthomologist, NOT an optometrist, if you see flashing lights or a curtain in your vision. I saw the curtain.  Actually, I saw a HUGE floater two weeks before the RD. My optometrist said it was normal. She did NOT see the tears that existed in BOTH eyes.

I am done with optometrists. I will only go an optho in the future. Sorry, but my optometrist, in my opinion, almost cost me my vision. She DID, again in my opinion, cause me a lot of discomfort.
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Avatar universal
hi am 37 and just had retinal detachment in my right eye and a slight tear in my left.  I was a 3 month early premee and have the family history.  I had surgery in my left eye at the age of 16.  I had the gas bubble in rgt eye and am an advid contact wearer.  However I am only two weeks out and cant wearmy contacts,,,they hurt itch, dry eyes, etc,,,, any sugestions?
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Avatar universal
My son 23, just had his done with air bubble and silicone. Also froze his r. Eye so hopeful it will not happen again. Very scary, first i have heard of scar tissue. What is your status now?
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740516 tn?1360942486
                                                :-)
   Thanks for you uptodate.either.
One of the best things here is when you met again an RD pal you knew posting desesperated and s/he is really phisicaly fine and hopefull nowadays!!!
That is as good as to be fine yourself!!!
Thank goodness I'm also being luck, so I can be  twice thankful: for me and for my folks.
If there's some to learn about RD is : no one deserve that!
Big hug, friend!

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Avatar universal
Hi there.  Just wanted to drop a quick hello and say I hear your concerns and pain.  Ive been going through the same worries, rollercoaster feelings, etc....I have so many questions and concerns that it consumes me sometimes.  I still even go through the..."why me?"...."why my eye?"...."id rather be deaf" stages.  BUt prayers, positive attitude (w/c is not easy!) have helped as well as sorrounding yourself with family.  Lately, my concern has been.."will my eye ever be normal again"?...."I want my life back pls".....etc.  

But small improvements make me happy.  I pray and say I am grateful for the baby steps improvements in my eye/vision.

Hope a small group of us can be RD friends....for support, help, advice, resource, news of care, treatment, breakthroughs, etc.  So I will add you on my friends list if that is ok.

Im hoping and praying for your good recovery.
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203589 tn?1267475170
Thanks for the update.
I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you.

I do agree that sometimes the eye care boards can be full of horror stories. However, that is the nature of such a forum, where people will come and discuss their problems seeking advice and support.

In regards to RD's, I always say that the success rate is astoundingly high with today's modern surgical techniques and the scientific research confirms this. So most people with RD's are not in for the worst case scenario: blindness.

Anyways, I hope that your good eye health continues and that the small area of scar tissue on the macula does not cause further problems.

Take care.
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Avatar universal
Update:

I wanted to bring back an update to this board. I know when I suddenly got diagnosed with a detachment it was one of the scariest and anxious times of my life, and what didn't help was hearing all the war stories online about multiple surgeries and people blind or nearly blind in the eye. Med help is a great resource, but it can also be a compliation of "When things go horribly wrong"

Although I dont feel I am out of the woods and I feel nervous something will go wrong with the eye one day, here is my current update.

After I went in for that emergency laser surgery I went back a few times and each time it "held up' as they say. As of now I am a -7 in the operated eye and minus a floater or two (as well as some mild redness) it hasn't been a problem. About 3 weeks ago I didn't notice some cloudiness in the eye and it got to the point where I just went in and got it checked out. I was worried it could be a major problem and they told me it was a cataract (a very common side affect due to the gas bubble). I was relieved to know that it was nothing serious (retina issues) and I have an appointment in a week to see if this needs to be operated on.

They also did a scan of my macula and noticed a small, forming piece of scar tissue and explained to me that it might be a problem down the line but at this point it's not on my radar. So I am not worired and they said it was fixable if needed.

So although there are bumps in the road, I wanted to post to let people know who are starting to go through this crazy and scary process that there is hope and that getting a retina detachment doesn't mean you will lose your sight. You are in for a battle and will be taken on a physical and emotional rollercoaster, but it doesn't mean blindness. It doesn't mean 10 surgeriers and the most painful and akward operations you can do.

I think one positive from this experience is I wake up everyday, every morniong, and feel so lucky to be able to see out of my left eye. I took that for granted and feel so lucky that I can see.

I think the worst part of the whole process ( including all the surgeries, exams, gas bubble, ect) is the waiting and emotional aspect. Will I be ok? will be eyesight black out today? Will this happen to my other eye? Will this surgery work? It drives you crazy.

To anyone reading this who has never had an eye issue and might be thinking there is something wrong, well my advice would be to not wait around. Even if it's something "small" just get it checked out.

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2 Comments
Thank you for sharing your story.  I was an emotional wreck when I went through the surgery.  I'm at 12 weeks post surgery and all is going well (though I do have an appointment with a cataract surgeon in November).  I'm very thankful and grateful for modern medical technology.  If it was 1960 or earlier, I'd likely have lost my sight.  Definitely go to a specialist if you suspect something is wrong!
Thanks for the follow up. Very helpful to those having the same problems. Glad you are headed in a good direction
740516 tn?1360942486
Happy to know that! :-)
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Avatar universal
update:

Went to my doctors today and they were happy. Apparently the laser has held and it's good news. Right now if the laser continues to hold then I am good....

Will go back in a week, when if it continues to hold It's even better news..

Thanks for the support...
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740516 tn?1360942486
I did some laser after as well.Twice on the operated left eye, one on the other.Doctor
had said I would need some more but till know is all attached, the last was about 3 or 4 months ago. Second time was a little unconfortable cos the eye was already sensitive but I left the place completely HAPPY cause my fear was about my good eye being "ignored' (without treatment,just watched) til that moment.
The first laser was not that bad,I saw pink on the second,but fortunatelly it disappeared fast. No one mentioned more lasers  need at my last appointment.
I didnt have experience with buckle and gas bubble.( fortunatelly- the positioning stuff still scares me...) Got silicone oil as first option,its still in my eye.

Hope the weekend won't be bad for you - not to much stressful.
My wishes of GOOD LUCK in your recovery!

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Avatar universal
My doc did some more laser about 2 weeks after my buckle and vitrectomy. I totally agree with you about it being uncomfortable!! My doc said he wanted to make sure that no new tears formed. It seems I am on the mend and good to go. I still look like I have pink eye -- redness in the eye (kinda stringy on the white section), still using prednisone drops. Theoretically my last appointment is next Friday.

I know that it is scary that it will happen again, but it will always be easier the next time since you know what is happening.

About the bubble .. it goes away, it really does. It just take a while. This time I got a faster absorption rate (different gas) but I remember it taking forever last time.
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203589 tn?1267475170
The laser was done to seal the tear and try to prevent your retina from detaching. It was probably an attempt to strengthen retinal adhesion to the back of the eye at the point where the scar tissue lies.

The success rate depends on how extensive the traction is on the retina and also, how large the tear was.

If you want more info on PVR (fancy term for the scar tissue, which stands for proliferative vitreoretinopathy) google it or use the search feature here as much has been posted on the subject by myself and others.

Good luck on your recovery.
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Avatar universal
Hello All-

New development with my eye. I went today and they said that I had scar tissue forming and it has caused a small detachment. They recomended I laser it up to seal it from progressing.

So I did that today. I must say that was pretty uncomfortable...bright lights..took me awhile since my eye was sensitive

Now I have to see if the laser holds and have to go back monday

Anyone can enlight me on why they did this? if they did? success rate?

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Avatar universal
The possibilities of it happening again are by far the worst part of it. Everyday I feel as if I see a floater or have some issue that causes me to freak out for a moment.

The only comfort I really have is after I go see the eye doctor.

medhelp is a great resource. Does anyone have any experience with the gas bubble? It's getting pretty low and I have seen the bubble break up into pieces (read here its normal) but is there any sign of it not being normal. Sometimes I feel I see strings, small floaters,ect..I wish I knew how I could tell the difference between parts of the gas bubble and floaters

I also keep hearing from my doctor good things and that the retina is attached (with the bubble no longer supporting it) but I am not out of the woods yet (as she says). She says scar tissue could still be a concern and that is known around 3 months post op

What can I celebrate or feel good about my eye? I want to put it past me

Anyone who has gone through this stuff, you deserve credit. It's much harder then I thought. Please email me at ***@**** if you want to talk about it

Thanks-
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1 Comments
That friggin' gas bubble!  My bubble took seven long weeks to finally vanish.  June 2, 2018, 12:40am... a moment I'll never forget haha.  It's been close to 12 weeks since my vitrectomy.   I feel like the 12 week mark is a good place to be, healing wise. Luckily, unlike your situation, I did have glasses as my contacts had become uncomfortable to wear do to dry eye symptoms.   When I was finally able to be tested for a new eyeglass prescription, I ended up going to two optometrists.  The first told me that I "may never be able to see 20/20 again" which my surgeon said wasn't true.  The second gave me the prescription I needed to get to 20/20 (my operated eye became very nearsighted).  So don't give up on getting the prescription you need.  I'm sorry this happened to you at such a young age, but we are so lucky to have the technology available that saved our sight!  
740516 tn?1360942486
No correlation - unless you hurt yourself badly with them...(hightly improbably)
Age doesnt matter - sniff,sniff . And the fear of happening again is a hell, for sure. I would say is the worse part cos last forever...
Good luck !!
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Avatar universal
Thanks Jodie. That's not a bad idea. I will call my doctor's office tomorrow

I know this is prolly a stupid questions, and one I have asked before..but there is no correlation between contacts wear/abuse and retina detachment?

I just find it sos odd at 25 I had an RD. I don't want it to happen in the right eye
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