Scleral buckling surgery for retinal detachment

[Fred6513]

I had a retinal tear repaired in April of 2007 with oil placed behind the eye to hold everything in place. In April of 2008 they drained the oil from the eye due to ongoing problems with the eye pressure and implanted a Scleral buckle and used gas rather than oil. My vision has now gotten worse and they tell me I have a new tear in my retna.  I have less than 1/4 of my vision remaining and don't know what to do.  They are talking about additional surgery but I don't know if i want to go through anymore. Has anyone else experienced retina tears after having a buckle implanted and what was the out come.  I would appreciate any feedback you can give me.

[AnnaE]

I have had five surgeries, Yhey put the buckle on the first time, but My retinal kept detaching due to scar tissue and traction (the scar tissue pulling on the retina).

I had problems with low pressure, because the part of the eye that makes fluid froke when my lens chamber fell into it. I have some blurred vision in the middle of my eye, but I am proud of it. They say I am among the 10% of the population that makes too much scar tissue. You probably are, to. The low pressure happens often, also. High pressure does, also.

I am so sorry that this has happened to you. They finally told me in December that my eye would never get better. I have been traumatized since this stated a year ago. My doctor was also abusive, but I changed in December to one of his partners, because there are so few retina people here, and the partner has a good background,

It is hard to trust anyone. I think that all of us, even if are doctors are OK, want to be reassured of that. If you ever feel you need it, get a second opinion. You have a right to do the best you can for your eye, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I know the doctor here has reassured you. I am glad you wrote. You are not alone. We all do feel alone when confronted with something like this.

I hope your eye is better, and let them take care of the retina.

[Fred6513]

I feel I have some idea of what you are experiencing since I had polio at age 1 affecting my left leg, heart attack at age 44 with damage, 2 knee replacements, now post polio syndrome along with these eye issues.  I just keep feeling it could be a lot worse than it is and I know God is with me.  Anyway take care and I hope things do work out for you.

Fred

[AnnaE]

It can be major trauma. I am overwhelmed. I asked my therapist if it would help me possibly to do volunteer work with other vision-impaired persons. She told me that I had quite enough to do, with healing and taking care of myself. I want something to shake me out of this pain and disorientation.

I am not saying that everyone responds in the same way, In fact, I have had other experiences that compound my difficulty/ On of them is that my doctor mistreated me/. Even if he had just once carefully put his hand on my shoulder, or looked into my eyes and asked me how I was doing with all this, so that he could recommend professional sources of support, in case I needed them. He did other things that were far from supportive.

I ntice now that I often put my own hand on my shoulder.

Only one person whom I know has touched me in a supported way.

I hope you get the support you need. I find that it helps to be aware of what I need, as much as I can.

Best,

Marianne

[Fred6513]

Thank you Nancygrace for your response and I am sorry to hear about your fall,  I guess things could be worse with our eyes ad we are fortunate to have at least one good eye. The Doctor I have seems great but as you said this is a major life changing experience.

[AnnaE]

BTW protect that good eye. They say that poycarbonate glasses are the best way. I fell face forward last night. I did not know what I would hit--my study has books, metal baskets,etc.all over the place. I tried to get help cleaning this week, but it worked half-way.

Anyway, II broke the impact of my fall on a set of metal baskets that support my computer table. I almost lost my computer, but my eye is more important. I got a bump near my bad ey, but not near enough to be dangerous. We never know what will happen. I fall sometimes when I am anxious, but I had not fallen in more than a year.

Actually, we need to protect both eyes, of course.

Do you know about the face-down equipment for recovery? It helps The name is Vitrectomysolutions.com. The others can be rip-offs.

[Fred6513]

Thank you John I appreciate your feedback.  Do you know if this is a common occurence.  I thought the buckle would prevent additional tears?  

Thanks Again,
Fred

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

You have a very serious problem and without treatment the retina will generally completely detach and go blind. Your surgeons are trying desparetly to save some of your sight. Best go along with them. You must accept the fact that a full recovery to normal vision is unlikely.

JCH III  MD