retina and cataract surgery

[emmygomez]

Okay so my dad recently in October for a teares retina and the oil was taken out a couple weeks ago. On tuesday he got another retina surgery because it teared again and he had a cataract surgery at the same time. For the cataract they removed his contact lenses and put i guess a bionic one. The doctors instructions were to lay on his right side BUT his surgery is on his right. I do not understand why he has to lay down for 10 days on his right eye.? Last surgery my dad was ONLY allowes to lay down on his left side and facing down. My concern is that laying on his right which is were his surgery is at will not help him get better. Any suggestions please?

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

Positioning depends on where the retinal tear is located.  He probably has a gas bubble in the operated eye.  If the retinal tear is on the upper left retina of the right eye, then lying on the right side will allow the bubble to be in close contact with the tear to support it in place while the tear heals.  Do not hesitate to call the doctor for clarification if you are not sure about the instructions.

[Luvtoski]

Call the Doctor and re-confirm that he wants him on his RIGHT side this time.  Sometimes docs and nurses make mistakes.  Don't take a chance on this, talk it over with him until you are perfectly clear and comfortable you understand which side and exactly why it would have changed this time.