gas bubble

[eyebubble]

Hi,

Looking for some info on gas bubble in eye after surgery and how you experienced it dissipating.

I'm seeing the bubble still though it seems clearer and bounces around a lot more had have like plastic film across the other part of the eye.  Is this the bubble breaking up?

Thank you

[AppleBr]

Thank Lord I never had gas  in my eyes. My rd was so bad that they decided for using  oil instead. 8 years after oil remotion I still heve some tiny and few oil remanescents left. Perfectly ignorables.

[AppleBr]

Ps From what I learned .. all  procedures made in our  eyes cause  cataracts developping earlier

[JohnHaganMD]

Intraocular procedures especially vitrectomies doe cause cataracts to form and grow

[RicinOhio]

Had a bubble put in Oct 16th and it is down to less than 10 percent of its starting size.  Taking a long time to dissipate but very slowly still shrinking and occasionally I have smaller bubbles break off the large one.   Had 5 retinal tears and thankfully my vision is basically back to normal with the exception of the bubble......

[JohnHaganMD]

We love happy ending posts. Thanks and best of luck.

[Tokyo_Joe]

I had a vitrectomy for a detached retina in my left eye. 12 days ago. This was the second time the retina detached in my same left eye over a ten year period. The first time, upper left eye they could attach it with laser shots; this time, the retina detached in my lower left eye, surgery was the only option. For nearly a week I was told to lie on my stomach with my head straight down, as if on a massage table. I told the doc this was essentially impossible as during sleep I naturally turned to one side and he sort of relaxed the regimen but urged me to try as much as I could. There was a large, symmetrical black bordered gas bubble that has gradually shrunk. I can see through it; it seems like a magnifying lens. Above it I have no floaters and fairly clear vision although not the nearly perfect vision I had in my left eye before the surgery. If you experience a vitrectomy, I urge you to avoid smoking as long as you can post-surgery and try to relax as much as you can, as any trauma or stress can aggravate a healing retina. Also, eat healthy "rainbow" salads with lots of green vegetables, tomatoes, and fresh fruit, particularly oranges, peaches, grapefruits. The sliver lining in this saga is that you will lose weight. I have lost nearly 5 kilos since the surgery 12 days ago, mainly because I follow the diet above, eat no junk food or snacks and stopped drinking. It may seem Spartan but I will take no risk to my vision. I am a long-time marathoner. My doc says I can resume running one month post-surgery but won't know whether that means marathoning until I see him in 5 days. The better part of valor tells me to end my running career although I was scheduled for a third time participation in the Honolulu Marathon this December and may just stop at 10k or just walk. I am also concerned with pressure on my left eye during a long flight to Honolulu and need to check that. Nothing could be worse than losing my vision. I am moved by the advance of medical technology and miraculous skill of my surgeon. My operation took 1 1/2 hours. I was required to be totally awake and given only anesthesia locally to my left eye. Other than the pain of what seemed like four shots to my eye or area right below my eye, not sure which, I had next to zero pain during the operation or after than the operation.. I have been asked to administer 3 different eye drops 4 times a day.. If I move my left eye high up or far left or right I feel a little tension, and try to avoid that. I stare at the computer probably more than I should and watched TV an hour for the first time today. Sorry for the lengthy post; I hope the tips assist you. Please take care.

[JohnHaganMD]

Marathon running especially done after age 40 carries its own risks. Follow this link:   http://www.omagdigital.com/publication/?i=204134#{%22issue_id%22:204134,%22page%22:0}     March/April 2018 issue and  March/April 2014 issue

[JohnHaganMD]

There are many very helpful and extended discussions about gas in the eye after retina surgery. You can access them via the search feature.

[JohnHaganMD]

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[Lildil]

Hi , I had my surgery six weeks ago and I still have the the gas bubble in my right eye.  The bubble is breaking apart.  The bigger bubble is clear circle outlined in black. I can see through it.  The smaller bubble is totally black.  My eye don't hurt but feels strained.  I guess the bubble will go away totally in about two  weeks.  I use one eye drop twice a day.   I suggest you keep a daily journal in regard to your eye surgery.  You can contact me at ***@****

[Dottiel]

I had a macular hole. Had surgery 19 days ago.  I was in face down for 3 days.with 10 minute window every hour.  I rented a massage chair and a two way mirror. Sleeping was a real challange!!! I can see the top of heads.  My doctor said complete recovery is 6 weeks. What I can see is sometimes clear and sometimes blurry. It is a necessary evil.  I had cataract laser surgery prior to this.  I am not sure if I should have the other cataract surgery done. They did say I had the beginning Of a hole in my left eye. I read that this will make a cataract grow faster. I had no pain associated with my eye. I would like to know if the bubble shrinks from top to bottom?

[Patnagi]

I am recovering from a vitrectomy with a bubble. As the bubble got smaller I could see over the top and then all around it. It has a floater in it now and has hatched a baby!

[pinhole]

Hi,
Yes, I did have the experience of turning onto my back during the night after a scleral buckle-vitrectomy repair for a retinal detachment. I was supposed to sleep face-down or somewhat on my side. At my recheck the next day (the day after surgery) everything was fine. I was panicked too! And I reported that I had awakened during the night on my back. It may be that I woke up because I had turned onto my back. I had surrounded myself with pillows to prevent it, even. A nurse friend later told me putting a tennis ball under your top in the back can help prevent turning over.
Have you had your first recheck yet? Don't hesitate to call your surgeon with any concerns.

[Lynnborys]

I just had surgery with the gas bubble today I came home from the hospital about 1 PM and I did posturing perfectly he said I could sleep on my side but not my back well tonight I started out on my side when I woke up four hours later I was on my back panicking now is anybody have any experience it happened like that to them I'm very worried has anybody had this happen to them

[eyesagany]

Hi, I had this surgery about a week and a half ago to repair a retinal detachment in my right eye. I had the same surgery a year ago for the same in the left eye.

Last time as the gas bubble began shrinking I was able to see above the top of the bubble fairly clearly, i.e. normal vision, but this time I am noticing that it is not clear and actually looks like there is some kind of fluid above the bubble instead with a few floaters in there (possibly surgical debris). I know the surgeon put an anterior and posterior gas bubble in, so maybe this is the shadow or normal.

He has checked me twice since surgery and I am still posturing face down for another week.

Just curious as to why this may be different this go around.

[Annabelleleelee]

I had a vitrectomy for a macular pucker.  Apparently, the retinal surgeon at first thought it was a macular hole, but during the surgery I heard him say I didn't have a macuar hole.  What I have experienced though, after 2 1/2 months after vitrectomy and gas bubble that after the bubble dissipated I was left with a large dark round "thing" in the lower part of my vision where the bubble was when it went away.  Does anyone know what this is and will it eventually go away.  The retinal surgeon says he does not know what it is and he has examined me very well.  Any ideas?

[Smwracer]

Saw dr June 1 he said everything going fine
Still have  30% of bubble left However I put in contacts June 5 at least I can see something still with line better than nothing

[Smwracer]

My last post was may 10 2012 the bubble still has not yet dissipated but seems to be getting smaller I still sleep on my right side as per dr instructions this morning I started to be able to see some things that look slot closer than they reLly are so hang in there. It will go away
I HOPE

[Smwracer]

I had my surgery 21 days ago I still have to lie on my right side to sleep and a few hours during the day my dr told me the gas bubble would disapate on about six weeks. I thought that it would have started by now but NOPE
I have no vision in that eye, can only make out colors for a second then they go away
All I can tell everyone is this is serious business  you could lose sight if you don't follow instructions to the letter
Additionally I had laser in the right eye and that healed in 3-4 days

[eyebubble]

Not great, I hate to admit.  Like the Dr. said, it's had surgery.  It always feels like there is something in my eye.  It hurts sometimes, sometimes is a little foggy, lots of floaters but I can see, so I'm not complaining.  Did end up with a cataract on that eye that I had removed as well.  Hoping the other eye hangs in there.  If I had to depend on the the eye that had the detached retina I'd be in sad shape but with two, it works. How are your eyes?

[tcato]

Hi,
I had the same exact experience you described in your post. How is your vision now- a year later?
Thanks for sharing.

[larryng]

I had a gas bubble put in 32 days agp. It broke up into two about an hour ago. Just now, it merged back into one again. I read somewhere that breaking up is quite common as the bubble shrinks.

[larryng]

I had a scleral buckle and C3F8 gas bubble right eye inferior retina detachment done exactly 28 days or four weeks ago. The gas bubble is about 40% according to my retina specialist yesterday. I can see the gas-water line which shimmers when I move my head. I read somewhere that it can take 5-8 weeks to fully reabsorb so I'll have to wait for another few weeks more.

I don't have headaches anymore and I have returned to work as a GP. But reading the computer is difficult aged five minutes so I read on the iPhone and keep it short, checking emails etc.

I would like to thank this website for the immense support from all the replies.

[Bramblerose]

I had my surgery 8 days ago.  When I went to the Dr 2 days ago, he was suprised that my bubble had shrunk as much as it had, but he said that was okay and that it had "done it's job".  It seems that mine "jiggled" more the first few days than it is now.  After a few days I was able to see through it somewhat.  Two days out I could tell what color hair people had and the color of there clothes.  Since the last few days I have been able to see well enough through the eye to tell who people are.  Now the bubble "seems" to be about half the size it originally was.  I test myself CAREFULLY driving short distances and seem to be fine with it.  My eye doesn't hurt, but it aches, so I take some extra strength Tylenol and that screws up my stomach!!  argh...

Every doctor seems to have different post-op methods for dealing with the surgery.  My doctor said I only had to have my head down for 20 to 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a day and I could sleep on either side, but not my back.  (Anyone have any info on how long you have to go before sleeping on your back?  I'm going to have to go for a massage tomorrow since mine hurts so much.)

The comment I would make about the face down part is that this is definitely harder on a woman than a man.  It is very difficult to find a comfortable position to lie in!!!

But I do have to say that of all the various surgeries I've been through his has been the easiest it deal with.

[brookecottle]

I had my surgery to repair hole in macular 15 days ago.  The gas bubble finally dissappeared today.  It was quite an experience.  I had to go to dr. 2nd day after surgery and could see absolutely nothing.  She held up 2 fingers and I couldn't see anything.  Went through the downward positioning.  My doctor only required downward 45 mins out of every hour, giving me 15 mins to go to bathroom, get water, etc.  He also only required 5 days of the positioning and let me sleep in my bed with instructions to lay on either side but NOT on my back.  I did this and about day 3 or 4 I started seeing at the top some clear.  It was like I was under water and could just barely see the top of the clearing with periferal top vision.  Everyday this would move down a little bit causing crazy things to happen in my eye.  I guess about day 6 I had my next appt and the bubble was just above half way really causing me difficulty with depth perception.  everyday was somewhat of a change.  The next couple of days got a little better after the bubble moved past the mid area.  I didn't drive until the 13 day.  I might could have but didn't.  By this time the bubble had moved in lower position and had gotten thinner because I could see vaguely through it.  14 day I woke up and had something that resembled a pool with a black circular area around it and two tiny bubbles that had broken off from it.  It also, got very giggly after it pasted the mid section of vision field.
this afternoon, it started getting smaller and finally totally went away.  By the way, I had also been seeing what appeared to be plastic across the part above the bubble like you mentioned.  Good luck.  I am now still seeing the distortion in the area that was supposed to be repaired.  I hope this is normal and my surgery was successful.  I will see the doctor in 4 days and hope he has good news for me.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You will notice less blockage of vision inferiorly as bubble gets smaller.

Dr. O.

[kivrin]

The bubble will eventually dissipate. From my experience, it seems like it should go away faster than it actually does. :) There are lots of posts about dealing with the gas, basically just have patience.

You can also look up the half life of your particular gas to give a better idea about how long it will take.

[Debiwasielewski]

Had macular hole eye surgery 9 days ago , want to fly on July 2.   Is it safe to make a flight confirmation or should I forget it?  Since surgery it will be 6 and a half weeks until July 2.  

[JohnHaganMD]

You MUST get this information from your surgeon.

[nanseas2]

I see this is an old question. But, for someone reading this hoping for an answer here is mine.  I had surgery for a Vitreous detachment-macula on-with Inferior detached retina on April 19th.  Today it is June 8th.  So it has been 7 weeks and 1 day.  My gas bubble is tiny but is about the size of a small sequin now.  The color seems to have always been a greenish-blue.  I was wondering what color others see it as?  My eyes are green so maybe that is why.  Or maybe the gas is that color.  

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

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