Surgery

[PJay]

Doesn't seem to be much change since surgery.  Still feeling discomfort (can't really call it pain) to about the same degree.  My eye feels achy, probably from the surgical procedures, and scratchy, probably from the stitches.  Don't want to look anywhere but straight ahead.  The hardest thing to deal with is that vision hasn't cleared at all, it's the same now as it was on Thursday.  I'm only seeing large, indistinct shapes that are magnified and offset from the left eye image.  I'm thinking of calling Docs tomorrow to make sure what I'm experiencing is normal.  Don't want to wait until Friday to have them tell me they wish I had called earlier.  Activities are still majorly curtailed.  I'm thinking of taking tomorrow off from work.  I had it in my head I'd be able to be back by tomorrow when this all started, so that'll be a huge disappointment.

As AB said earlier I too have had a retinal detachment.  I went in for surgery almost 20 years ago now.  

I am surprised that they didn't tell you that you would need to take off one week.  I remember all to well the restrictions that I had.
1.  Eyes straight forward, try not to move them.
2.  No watching any active tv show or event
3.  No lifting over 10 lbs. (I had a baby at the time who needed to be lifted in and out of a crib).

I second the statement about calling your doctor.  Remember, this is your sight that is at stake!  I also would ask about restrictions for optimal healing!

Hang in there!  We are praying

[dthurk]

They covered post surgery restrictions quite carefully to both DW and myself.  I had to hold my head in a down position for 24 hours after surgery.  No restrictions on TV.  Surgery was ambulatory and hospital paid for one night in a hotel as we were 100 miles distant.  I wished we had taken the camper and parked in the hospital parking lot.  DW and I watched a movie in the hotel room by placing our laptop on the floor and lying on our stomachs on the bed.  Kept my mind off things.  I had a patch over my eye for that 24 hours.  Remaining restrictions...I wear the patch at night while sleeping and I can't lie flat on my back or engage in strenuous activity for 2 weeks following surgery.  They told me I'm legal to drive in NYS 24 hours after surgery, once the anesthesia has worn off.  Legal means corrected to 20/40 or better in only ONE EYE.  I'm better than that in my left, so I'm good to go on the road.  I haven't driven yet.  I don't believe it's safe.  Don't know when I'll feel like I can again.
 
 I know procedures and restrictions have changed greatly for cataract surgery in the 17 year period between having my 2 eyes done, seems like the same for retinal surgery may have occurred.

Doctor said it'll be quite some time before I will regain clear sight in the operative eye, maybe a couple weeks before we start seeing real results.  Patience is needed here, I guess.   I am taking drops to keep the eye dilated all this week, that's contributing to the  blurry vision but isn't the only factor.  Hopefully, I'll be done with 3 of the 4 eye drops I'm using as of Friday this week.

Hey!  I'm on steroids!!!!  Should I try to play baseball?

[tlhdoc]

Dave I am sorry that your sight is not better.  Hope you recover soon.

[dthurk]

Had a followup appointment yesterday and it went very well. I'm able to see 20/150 with the eye at this point through a small bit of vision above the bubble. The Docs were very happy with that. I was taken off 3 of the 4 prescription eyedrops I've been taken. (I'm still on the steroids, so baseball is still a possibility.) My eye very quickly stopped feeling scratchy. The pressure in my eye has dropped to a low normal range. At this point, more of the gas bubble has dissolved, I've got about 40% vision available. Depth perception is beginning to return and I drove for the first time today. So...things are beginning to look up. It's not the end of the road, but it's getting better.

[austinado16]

Outstanding news!!  I'm really glad to hear about the progress.