having scleral buckle tomorow (6/2)

[llymphs]

i am a severe myope (-12), have chorionic serous retinopathy, and mild cataracts. i am also a 45 y.o. pharmacist. was wondering how long it may take until my vision is such that my prescription-reading ability is back to normal. M.D. said up to a month. I actually have 2 detatchments in 1 eye with 360 degree lattice.it's kinda a bummer. any advice/words of wisdom? is there much pain?the gas bubble kicked my butt and i have an extremely (i thought) high pain threshhold!
thanks in  advance,
john

[AnnaE]

Your suggestion is excellent.

The flasting lights in the periphery are probably due to the vitreous trying to detach, or PVD, a normal process, but it can be risky for those who have weakened retinas.

Did you have both eyes lasered?

It really must be better than risking a detachment. Where are these doctors who told you it is ineffective. You have to keep watching your eye.vision--even though it is lasered, because you can still have new lattice, which will need treatment. Also, differing conditions would make it more or less effective, I would imagine.

My doctor told me that my eye would never detach. I did not believe him, because I knew I could get new lattice, but two other doctors told me that it was the best prevention. Incidentally, I thought of it before my doctor did; I kind of tugged at his sleeve until he finally suggested.

I will read the literature on this as soon as I have time.

I have lost over 80% of the vision in my left eye. They call it "finger counting vison, and worse can happen to it in the future. I am more than passionate about vision. I am in love with the visible world.

I had complications with my detachment--excessive scar tissue; I have had five surgeries. I would have a hundred surgeries; unfortunately, I don't think my eye can take any more.

I would like to hear Dr. Hagan's opinion, of course!

[AnnaE]

You can still read RX with your good eye. I had sive retina surgereis, and no problem with pain, except for a choroidal hemorrhage. My doctor said 6 mos at least for vision to return to normal. Can take longer.

First retina surgery? What gas bubble are you referring to?

I have lattice, also. Protect that other eye. Mine is 360 lasered to protect against detachment. Maybe they can laser yours, also.

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

No way to generalize. Use the "search" feature and look at all the positings about retinal detachments including description of the surgery and the rescovery.

JCH I MD

[AnnaE]

I have just read some literature in regard to My own condition and 360 lasering, as a preventative treatment for fellow eyes of eyes with retinal detachment.. I find that retina patients read these articles with great emotion, which can serve as an impediment to comprehension.

What I conclude so far is that 360 prophylactic lasering can be effective for those who have achieved PVD, while it is not recommended for younger patients who have not achieved it.

[AnnaE]

Would you please comment on nolaser's comment?

[nolaser]

I had 360 laser to prevent retinal detachment. Maybe it worked, but the side effects are quie bad (shimmering effect in the periphery/flashing lights at night). I am 7 months post-op after this and it is still quite bothersome - I'm not entierely sure if it is getting better or if it will ever go away. Very distressing psychologically and also many doctors seem to think this is an ineffective treatment. My suggestion is get at least 2-3 opinions from good doctors on this and then decide. Personally, I wouldn't do 360 degree laser to my other eye now that I know how bad the side effects are.

[AnnaE]

The last 5 messages are most relevant to the question in the message right before this.
Thanks

[AnnaE]

I also read that the most important prevention for all is knowing retina symptoms.

nolaser, Did you have retinal re-attachment lasering in an eye that detached. The odds of that being a good treatment for anyone are positive, I believe.

The only side effect that I have from 360 lasering in the fellow eye are some crisscross marks in the periphery. I can hardly see on the dark, as in a closet with no light. That's scary, but I believe that the lasering was good for me. I am going to ask my new doctor nex time I see him.

For the doctors: Please comment to the comments here on 360 lasering for prevention of fellow eye detachment.

[AnnaE]

I read the doctor's comment. I was not familiar with  the term "giant tear." I hope you are better. I hope your daughter is fine.

Anna

[AnnaE]

The doctor will verify this answer. It is impossible to predict what your vision will be. You can ask your surgeon that question; if anyone can say anything, she could give it a try.

[reynaldotorres]

21 days later after scleral buckle for retinal detachment, my vision was fluctuating from 20/40 to 20/60. Dr Brenda Powell (Virginia Eye Consultant Norfolk VA) told me that my retina was fine (rt eye) and it is healing.. My vision prior to RD was 20/30. The vision that I see is small compared to my non surgery eye. I mean anything I see it was a little bit smaller. Dr Powell told me it will go away. ALso she told it takes about 3 months for obeservation.  

I would like to know the outcome of my vision (assumption) later based on the journal studies. I understand that I will wear RX glasses to attain 20/20. If I can go back to 20/40 I wil be very happy.
Thanks for any golden nuggets.
Rey  

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

The gas injected was probably sulfur hexafloride (SF6). A giant tear is the worst type and very difficult to fix. Good luck and God bless.

JC III MD

[AnnaE]

Well, I still complain. Complaining is OK.

I am so glad I could help with the lasering suggestion.

My daughter's retinas detached at 18, She is fine now. Nobody warned us. I thought it would be me! Nobody told me it could be her, too! I never thought it would be both of us!

Hope your daughter is fine, too. A woman wrote in on the other eye forum a few days ago. Her retina detaged at 8 years. Her four children hav lattice degeneration; several have had detachments.

Let us know how you progress.

[llymphs]

hi, just returned from day 1 post-op appt. what was a detachment had become in 3 days from, appt to surgery, a Giant Retinal Tear. not good. i am unable at this time to do much research on the web. just too difficult to see and i am a poor typist. i did get the buckle and had gas injected, too. (Sorry, this pharmacist  didn't bother to ask which gas...seemed irrelevant.) am on a trio of eye gtts, of course and the prognosis is so far so good. no pushing pills for a while!
we were advised to have my 22 yo daughter scheduled for a full baseline work-up of her own, as 2 md's have said that there could be a genetic component to all of this. my whole fam damly is nearsighted, with and with out caracts and retinal problems.
oh yea, i'll get the 360 laser in the other eye due to extensive lattice.
thanks for listening! john

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

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[llymphs]

hey! had buckle and laser yesterday...tuned out to be an almost "wost case scenerio" (which woulld be NO vision!)... the entire retina had detatched 360 degrees...surgery took much longer, too. prob even longer for the md due to my incessent rambling whilst under the versed/fentanyl cocktail!. will find out this a.m. what has actually transpired. thank you for you concern and optimism!
will post results later...as i'm a 1st time poster anywhere...i know of and possess little of what i refer to as "forum decorum"! be gentle with me.

regardless of what happens in the upcoming weeks, months, years... God has given me 45.5 yrs of beautiful imagery and memories that can't be erased,,,who could complain?
l, j

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

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