Scaleral Buckle Pain

[frwbeach]

  I had surgery for detached and torn reitna 2 years ago and they used a Sclarel Buckle. Immediately after the surgery I complained about pain at a specific spot between 2-3 o'clock in the   eye whenever focusing on items within 2 ft or so. No such pain when looking at a distance or even at 3 ft or more. I would follow on object in and it would hit a spot
about 2 ft out and start the sharpe pain. Initial doc said it would go away- even when I complained after 8 weeks. In any case I had other sight issues and learned to automaticcaly not focus on close items- at first I actually had to work at not focusing but because of the pain  I  guess my eyes just adjusted and focus beyond.

    I got a new retina doc who fixed some other issues ( retina tears- holes--lattice ) and am happy with. When I first mentioned the pain and that I do not focus on anything near- he recommended I go back to the original Surgeon. I said I would never go back and then he said that the pain is at the same spot the buckle hardware is and that it probibly compromised a muscle and due to multiple retina tears- holes and lattice repairs he would not remove the buckle unless it poked threw and risked infection and only if absolutely needed . My reg eye doc said the exact same thing when I told him ( my new reg eye doc and Retina specialist work well together and communicate )

    Well after 2 years I thought all my issues were explained ( many with input from this site for info and possible questions ) Then I saw where the reading muscles are inside the eyeball and nowhere near the buckle.  For the first time in 2 years I have gone over 3 months without a retina tear or retinaplexi for holes- lattice and do not have to go back for a year ( unless problems )  so I will not see the Retina spec ialist for some time.

     I thought the muscle made sense since it was ONLY when focusing close- I can read this computrr pretty well from 30 inches with large monitor and large fonts with ZERO pain- so the reading muscles must be working fine.
I assure the pain is in the same spot- is sharpe ( not quite as severe as 2 years ago but a 7 on a scale and would have been 10 --2 years ago) and ONLY when following something inside of about 2 ft.  Its no big deal because I never focus close unless I really try to- which I do from time to time and it still hurts .

Is it possible that a nerve or something could be pinched that only happens at a certain spot. That may sound crazy but  something must be doing it. It does go up threw my temple area when it hurts if that means anything.

Thanks Again.
Don

PS  It really isn't a problem but I sure would like to know whats causing it- I realize removal isn't an option .
    

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

You are welcome

JCH MD

[frwbeach]

  I  think everything is sorted  out. Just when I saw that the focus muscles were inside and not outside the buckle sorta threw me.  Both docs said it was from the buckle  when focusing  so I figured there was an explaination- actually just reinforces their
explaination . I guess it could be a nerve or muscle-- actually the pain is sorta like when the dentist hits a nerve so may be it- doesnt matter they cannot remove it ( will not ) for good reason .

Thanks

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

I don't know how old you are but even in young people the focus muscle weakens each year. (that's why we need reading glasses or bifocals in our late 30's early to mid 40's.

Buckles are not that far from the focus mucle (remember the eye usually between the size of a quarter and half dollar. Also the NERVES TO THE MUCLE MUST pass under a 360 degree buckle and that can damage them also.

Removing retinal hardware is a big operation with major risks.

I believe you've posted before and that's about all I can add to your problem.

JCH MD