retinal detachment

[lilbert76]

I am a triathlete and a marathon runner.  I had a detached retina approximately three weeks ago, with the buckle surgery and a 1/3 gas bubble of C3F8 gas inserted.  Everything is healing nicely, no pain, slight redness nothing major, I have full field of vision back its just blurry through the gas bubble. I have been biking, not running MD said wait the full four to five weeks til I run.  He said I can swim after 4 weeks.  Just wondering about this gas bubble.  I want to return to racing but the bubble is still bouncing around in the bottom of my eye.  And if anyone else you have treated has been a triathlete and/ or marathon runner and their outcomes?  I know everyone is different.  

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

I am a former marathon runner and have done many triathlons including 2 Half Iron Mans.  I would not advise any patient of mine with a recent RD and gas in eye to do running. Walking is fine. Moreover I would be very concerned about biking because of the possibility of a fall/wreck on the bicycle. Just recently in my area a physician was  killed biking. It's so danger I no longer do it.   Also I have done much nationally publicized research on the danger of a lifetime of marathon running (featured in Runner's World, WSJ, NYT, etc.)   Read these three   links.   http://www.msma.org/uploads/6/2/5/3/62530417/marathon_running_an_unhealthy_addiction_editorial_mar_apr_2018_momed.pdf     AND  http://www.msma.org/uploads/6/2/5/3/62530417/goldilocks_zone_for_exercise_not_too_little_and_not_too_much_mar_apr_2018_momed.pdf  AND http://www.msma.org/uploads/6/2/5/3/62530417/hearts_breaking_over_marathon_running_marapr2014_missouri_medicine_media.pdf

[lilbert76]

that is way I gave up the marathon running and went into triathlons.  these races and exercising is my life, it is an outlet for me.  it would be difficult to tell someone who has been in sports since they were 14 to just give it up because of an injury.  tons of people have injuries, professionals have injuries and they recover and return to what they love.  

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

No one saying you should not exercise. You need to discuss all this with the retina surgeon.  He/she is the only one that can give your personal advise.  Retina problems are so unique and individualistic that its no possible to generalize.