I recently had retinal detachments surgery done about 7 weeks ago

[Rnxtina]

I recently had retinal detachments repaired about a month ago and was having a lot of flashes in my left eye which I never had before so I went back to see my doctor and he said it was fine that he didn’t see any new tears so that there was nothing to do at this point just allow for it to heal. I ended falling down on my eye a week later and had a black eye and was worried that I had damaged my eye so I let him know right away. He did say that u had bruised my eye and that there was edema that would normally take 3-4 mths to heal. Now I can’t help but see it’s almost like a glare but it both eyes not anywhere as severe as the flashes I was having before in the left eye. Also before I had my surgery I never had symptoms of a retinal detachment. I see on this forum that flashes are normal after just still worrisome anyone else have a similar incident from flashes to small glares in both eyes? My surgery was April 23 and 30th. When I went to see him after I fell he said no new tears again. Any opinions or is it normal and am I just freaking out?

[xltjim]

While I was told by my doctor that I had no restrictions, Dr. Hagan here has advised on many posts  - no activity which whips the head around which includes roller coasters.  I think that is a very good suggestion even if you haven't had a RD.  Its been now 10 months since my surgery and I can go days without any flashes but still get a surprise on occasion usually when trying to get to sleep.  I would suggest a call to your surgeon.  Most likely its nothing but they may want to see you to be sure.  The thing I learned from all this is to report anything new to your surgeon,     A simple call takes care of needless worry and the Dr's expect this.

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

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[xltjim]

Hello.  I had a vitrectomy for retina repair last september.  I had flashes for at least 4 months post surgery.  Was almost like dim lightning flashes as I was trying to get to sleep.  When there would be a noise in the house that would startle me, I got a flicker.  I was concerned enough that I called the eye doctor and he thought it wasn't anything to be concerned about but had me come in to have it checked anyways.  Anyway, it seems that six months post surgery was the turning point for me.  The flashes went away although, occassionally, I get a few when trying to sleep.  It took me 6 months before the eye started to feel like itself again in my case.  I had a lot of dryness and irritation.  But good now.....I go for cataract surgery in a few weeks.   Best of luck.  Jim

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

That is correct. Many people continue to have flashes for months.

[Rnxtina]

Thank you!!

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

Lots of informative posts and discussions from people with RD and vitrectomies.   You can access them with search feature  

[Rnxtina]

I recently haven't seen any flashes in the last 2 months and even if minimal although I went on a couple of roller coaster rides and the flashes have returned, is that something to be concerned about, or is it because I haven't hit that 6-month mark quite yet for it to completely disappear.  I maybe have had a couple a day nothing too severe.