hole in retina surgery

[Bobo866]

I had a hole in retina.  I was told due to cancer of the spine I would not have the surgery requiring being in one position.  Well I got just that and was not told by the doctor.  He walked out of the operating room without telling me.
Went next day but instructions were vague.

I have a large bubble after over three weeks.  He has told me next to nothing.  How long does the bubble last.  My vision in eye is blurry, has caused nausea, unsteady on my feet, etc.  I am tired of it.

Any advice.

[AnnaE]

As I have said before, sorry he would not talk.

There are worse things than not talking, unfortunately. I think I told you about my first one. He tried to keep me from asking questions by being demeaning.

I am glad you have a kind doctor now.

Anna

[Bobo866]

Just to let you know I went on the website aao.org and the two doctors that are involved in my surgery and care are listed as retina surgeons, both Board Certified.  I knew that they would be because my cataract/glaucoma surgeon recommended their practice, but not the surgeon I saw.  I did make my choice by easier access, this was a huge mistake.

I was told that the doctor who operated on my eye was an excellent surgeon but not a communicator in any sense of the word.  Not even friendly.  What a shame!

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

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[Bobo866]

Anne for whatever reason I did not get your first email.  I see the one on here written on June 18.

Did you suffer from a big bubble that just would not let up with blurry vision?   It is just about a month now since the surgery.  Still using drops and will be for a while.  I have lost eight pounds since the surgery, nauseated and bad equilibrium at times.  This is something else.  I will muster up all the patience I can gather and get through it.

Thanks for caring.

[Bobo866]

Hi
Thanks for your recent email.  I already have cataracts, I had to have surgery on the eye that had the retina hole before I was able to have the retina surgery.  My eye is blurry something awful. You are fortunate to not have been blurry, it is getting to me  -- almost one month now.  The bubble is something else, not getting any smaller, whatsoever.  I guess I better get a grip -- I have had a lot worse than this happen, but this eye thing has got to me.  The cataract surgery was a breeze, my wonderful doctor in SF did a marvelous job, great hospital, etc.  Very little discomfort.  Quick recovery, now this retina thing???  I went to a retina specialist -- they are supposed to be some of the best -- it is a big group of doctors.  Will keep in touch.

[AnnaE]

Hi,

I sent you a message last night. Did you get it? I am so happy you are on the right track now.

I am a community leader here, not a doctor. I am also an experienced retina patient.
I had a retina surgeon like yours for 8 months and between his muteness and anger, and my losing most vision in one eye, I thought I was never going to make it.

Welcome to our community.

I encourage you to follow up with us, and to respond to other community members, so that all of us can help each other learn about our eye care.

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

I would ask the Stanford oncologist to arrange for you to be evaluated at the Stanford medical center. You might even call ahead so that your appointment can be schedule ASAP. Yes you can go anywhere you want, your old records would be very important. It sounds like you need a retina specialist. You can find members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that specialize in retina near you at www.aao.org

JCH III MD

[Winterpeg]

Hi Bobo866:
My vision was not blurry, as my left eye is "dominant" which means that it does my distance vision and my brain ignored the "blurry" vision from the right eye. You must be prepared for the "instant" development of a cataract in that eye that you had the surgery.
I never really got much vision from the eye as when the "bubble" disappeared, a cataract had already developed. Again, your MD should have told you that the possibility of a cataract developing in the first year is about 60-70% likely and if you are a mature person, even greater. I am scheduled for cataract surgery on July 15th which is exactly a year since my vitrectomy surgery.
I wish you success in the coming months, but be patient.

[Bobo866]

I live in Contra Costa County, Walnut Creek area in California, Northern CA,.

Thanks for any help you may give me.  I go to Stanford Medical Center to see my oncologist for my check-ups, in case you wanted to recomment someone there as well.  Would it be OK to go elsewhere as long as I obtained all of my medical records?

Thanks so much for your help.

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

Where do you live. Perhaps I know someone that does retina and communicates. Remember that some doctors are excellent physicians or surgeons but 'fail to communicate well" while other doctors lack skill or knowledge but establish excellent rapport and communicate well.

JCH III MD

[Bobo866]

Thanks for the advice.  Apparently, when some doctors know they have given you poor treatment, they refuse to discuss it.  When I tried to talk to the surgeon, he said "calm down" and I was talking in an ordinary voice.

I told him he should have gotten someone to talk me to make arrangements for my care before I left the hospital.  I had no idea what had been done to me before I left the hospital  as I had a big bandage on my eye.

No response.

I have had had more than a few medical problems in my life, but never once have I had a doctor who I did not have 100% percent faith in, this is a first.  I have had two different oncologists for several cancers and they were the finest folks on God's green earth.  Go figure.

Thanks

[Bobo866]

Thanks so much for answering me.  I have tried to get answers, even started going to another doctor in the practice.

Big question, how were you able to drive, etc with 'THIS BUBBLE'?   It is driving me nuts and it is no smaller than it was originally.

Wasn't your vision blurry?  I talked to the staff at the office today and they said it could last for two months.  I had to get my drops refilled.  I guess that goes on as long as the bubble exists.  I was not told to stay in one position for X number of days because it would be impossible to do with my bad back.  I did lay down on my left and right side as much as possible, but I had to also take care of myself.  It may be second opinion time.  I am really getting tired of this.

I am glad you still well, I was told nothing about lifting but I am trying to take it easy as much as possible.  Had I known all this, I would have gone to a facility where I could be taken care of after I left the hospital and would have had all the arrangements made.  I did not know anything until later, and by that time I was unable to get it together to even leave the house.

I could tell you much more, but it is water under the bridge now, but I am very concerned.

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

You need to get this information from your surgeon or his/her staff. Call the office and ask for SPECIFIC instructions about your activitity.

JCH II MD

[Winterpeg]

Hi Bobo866:
Great communications skills going on between yourself and your MD. I had a vitrectomy for my "tear" in my right retina last year and the bubble lasted for 9 weeks. I had to keep my head DOWN for 12 after the surgery to ensure success. After the 12 days, I resummed regular activities including driving, running and everything other than lifting heavy weights. I didn't do any heavy weight lifting until the bubble had completely disappeared.
I hope this helps and speak to your MD,