light sensations (flashes) still 1,5 year after scleral buckle surgery

[mariposa87]

I had scleral buckle done 1,5 years ago and I still,to this day, see flashes just as often as before surgery. But to be precise the ''flashes" are not like a lightning..  the sensation resembles  "fire balls"moving up or down in the area that the detachment occured.A doctor examining the retina multiple times since the surgery said that all is fine. But the flashes are just the same.I see them frequently at night when I change position or stand up.Also when I move my head for example when washing my face. I think I can spot the lights 30 to 50 times a day.

Is it normal?Or does it mean that something bad is happening?I has been a long time since the surgery and the flashes are not becoming smaller or less frequent.

[SashaHannah]

Hi Mariposa87,
i also continue to have flashes (photopsias) post buckle and post vitrectomy with gas bubble!
How are you getting on since this post?

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

This is an older post. There are some newer one you can find. Suffice it to say some people continue to see occasions flashes of light for years after a successful RD buckle-vitrectomy without developing problems.

[SashaHannah]

Thank you. Thats reassuring to know. An old post but really relevant and helpful.

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

Yes some postings are 'timeless"

[JohnHaganMD]

This is the advice I use, as do many other physicians: if things change and new symptoms appear or your present symptoms get a lot worse come back in. If they are the same come back  (insert date of next appointment)

JCH MD

[mariposa87]

Thank you so much doctor

The last time I was at the doctor's was in September.No detachment was observed then. I also noticed recently that the reattached area twinkles and flickers very often. It happens for a very long time in the morning after getting up and is on and off all day ,most  visible in the  dim lit spaces. It wasn't like that before. Is it normal or should I again visit a doctor? The flashes are still there, nothing changed.
I don't want to rush to the doctors office every month..

[JohnHaganMD]

It means the more you worry and dwell and look for flashes the more you will notice them.

I have a huge floater in my left eye (Weiss Ring). When I think about it immediately I can see it move around. When I just go about my business and forget about it  an adaptive mechanism in the eye and brain makes me unaware of it.   Many people with your problem have posted when they stopped worrying about the flashes after multiple visits to their ophthalmologist they stopped noticing them

[mariposa87]

Thank you doctor,that really calmed me. However, I didn't understand this sentence, could you elaborate?:
"This is especially true if the person is anxious and keys in on the flashes over-riding what is called "neuro-adaptation" which generally "tunes out" flashes from the eye. "

[mariposa87]

I have visited my  opthamologist and she examined the retina. She said the retina is in place.
I have also had USG and it seems to be the same as one year ago. The doctor says the vitreous is in contact with the retina,that's why I experience flashes.

However I still don't understand why I experience 5 times more  flashes in this area than one year ago and why they occur in the bigger area and have a different pattern. They happen with movements, when changing rooms(changing a well-lit room to a very dark room triggers flashes), sometimes for no reason, when   I sit still.Could you,doctor Hagan, tell me?Here,doctors are not eager to explain things to patients.:(
Is it a dangerous situation and means that a detachment can happen in this area again even though I have a buckle? Will the photopsias ever stop?
The scleral buckle was performed in February 2014.

[JohnHaganMD]

You must understand the limits of this website. We cannot tell you what is going on in your eye for certain, nor make a diagnosis. You must get this information from your Eye MD ophthalmologist.

JCH MD

[mariposa87]

Did the doctors say that the lights mean there is a risk of another detachment? Do you understand and can explain to me what scarring has to do with it?

[mariposa87]

Thank you doctor. So it seems the floating lights I have mean there is a traction ongoing? But what does it mean I should do? Is it very dangerous ? What are the measures I should take?
The floating lights occur in the area wider than before surgery.

[JohnHaganMD]

look up the translation of the English world "traction" in your native language. Its not a medical term. It means

trac·tion /ˈtrakSH(ə)n/   noun

1. the action of drawing or pulling a thing over a surface, especially a road or track.  "a primitive vehicle used in animal traction"

•motive power provided for movement, especially on a railroad.
"the changeover to diesel and electric traction"

2.  the grip of a tire on a road or a wheel on a rail.
"his car hit a patch of ice and lost traction"

synonyms: grip, purchase, friction, adhesion
"new tires with improved traction"

IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR QUESTION:  the vitreous in the back of the eye can pull on the retina and cause flashes,  floaters, retinal holes, tears or detachment.  Ongoing traction between scarred retina and normal retina can cause continued flashes of light

[mariposa87]

can you tell me what exactly  a traction is? I am not a  native English speaker and I suppose it is also a medical term only understood by professionals.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[chazas]

Traction from residual vitreous, maybe.  The important part (at least from your doctor's perspective) is that your retina is still attached.  I was concerned when I still had flashes post-surgery so I asked my doctor about it.  You should, too.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[mariposa87]

thank you all very much  for replies.

After thorough analysis I can even see that the flashes sometimes occur in the area larger  than before:( In the same part of my eye but a  wider area.
What can  it  mean other than a detachment?

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[chazas]

I'm 4 months past scleral buckle surgery for a detachment.  I still have a shimmering area in the center of my vision sometimes, usually when waking.  It's much better than it was but the improvement seems to have stopped.  I also get flashes when my eye is dry.  The doc says that my retina is still flat and attached, so I'm guessing these are things I'll live with.

[CBCT]

I too have flashes after surgery.  One year ago, I had two retinal tears in the periphery of my right eye and was treated with cryopexy, gas bubble, and susequent laser retinopexy.  I see two light images, one is a golden glow at the 6:00 position, and the other is a bright spiral at the 4:00 position.  The spiral occurs many times a day and is certainly more noticeable in the dark.  All of my docs (cataract surgeon and 2 retina specialists) agree that the surgery was a success and the images are the result of scarring.  Although it was certainly frightening at first, I am accustomed to it now.  Best wishes.

[JohnHaganMD]

It is not "normal" but it does sometimes occur after RD surgery or injury. If you will use the search feature you will see other postings on these eye forums with the same complaint and problem.

There is no good treatment for this.  There is no way to tell if this will eventually stop

JCH MD