Off-Topic Detached Retina! (longish)

[Salamander]

I see that there has been some discussion about this on the board. I wanted to share my experience in hopes that it can help others.

I went to Hawaii in Dec. I noticed some specks/floaters in my right eye during the trip, but it was brief here and there. No pain or discomfort, so I thought it was from sand blowing in the wind. Got home and didn't notice any more, so I forgot about it.

A few weeks later, I was on my way home from work. It was a cloudy day and my vision seemed a bit off, but thought it was the overcast/foggy weather. At a stoplight I covered each eye and looked around and realized it was the right eye; there was a hazy area toward the inner eye.

I waited until the next day to make an eye appt- I think it was last Thursday. Called around and got an appt for Monday (1/15) afternoon. Went on about my life. I joked to my coworker that I had a cataract/getting old etc... I googled and read about detached retina, and I had a suspicion but thought no, not me, that's a worst case scenario. I'm only 47 and very healthy.

At the appt, I got the news and the Dr said I need to call the specialist and get you in right now. They will want to operate within 24 hrs. I got very upset because my partner was on a business trip and not due home until Friday. Who would help me? I called my neighbor who said she would be there as much as I needed her. Then I was given the directions to the Retina specialist, which was only 15 min away.

I was scheduled for surgery the following afternoon. My neighbor agreed to drive me and bring me home, as well as the follow up appt the next day. I called my BF and he was very concerned and said he would try to come home earlier. When I got home I called my parents, who live very close to the hospital, and they insisted that they would be there for my procedure and bring me home. BF was able to get a flight home the night of the surgery, so I would only be home alone for a few hours. Once he arrived, he was able to take me to the follow up appt.

The surgery itself was easy. Took about 2 hours and I was awake but given some relaxation drugs. It's the recovery that I was dreading. A full week of keeping my face to the ground, even when sleeping. It was highly suggested to rent some equipment, which I did but it didn't arrive for 2 days after my procedure. It's basically a massage chair and accessories for sleeping, sitting at a table, and a special mirror to watch TV.

It's Day 4 post-op. I'm starting to enjoy the forced relaxation. I don't move around much, just to go to the kitchen or the bathroom. I do stretches on the floor.

The Dr. put an oil bubble in my eye, so I will have another procedure in a few months to get it removed. In the meantime, vision will be hazy. But at least I still have my sight! In hindsight, I wish I had gone in as soon as I got home from vacation, then maybe the surgery would have been easier if it was caught before the tear occured. It's not common knowledge though. So I want to urge anyone (especially if you have family history, which I don't, or nearsightedness) to go get checked immediately if you have floaters, flashes of light or sudden vision obstruction. Better to be safe!!

[jusca]

Wow, i'm so glad that your surgery corrected the issue as quickly as possible and your vision is set to be back in good order. I had a floater show up exactly the day before my 30th birthday right before a driving eye test. I thought I had an eyelash in my eye until it didn't go away with rubbing. I read up on how floaters are for life and nothing can be done about it. The detached retina is a whole different story. My cat recently went blind and I read about detached retinas and how sometimes if you can catch it early things can be fixed.

I'm just so happy your story ended well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Kathy G]

Wow, so scary! Good thing you made your appt in time! Thanks for the reminder to have things checked out immediately when you have symptoms and not wait like so many of us do. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Best wishes!

[hdw]

Scary! I'm very near-sighted so this is a possibility for me. Glad you are on your way to recovery...

[Karen Beckwith]

Originally Posted by jusca

Wow, i'm so glad that your surgery corrected the issue as quickly as possible and your vision is set to be back in good order. I had a floater show up exactly the day before my 30th birthday right before a driving eye test. I thought I had an eyelash in my eye until it didn't go away with rubbing. I read up on how floaters are for life and nothing can be done about it. The detached retina is a whole different story. My cat recently went blind and I read about detached retinas and how sometimes if you can catch it early things can be fixed.

I'm just so happy your story ended well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I recently had surgery called a Floaters Only Vitrectomy. I had floaters in my left eye for a year and a half before finally finding a doctor who knew about this surgery. It was quick and I didn't have to do the face-down recovery.

To the OP - I'm so glad it worked out for you!

[shoegoddess]

I have epi-retina! degeneration. I'm supposed to monitor it but haven't been to specialist in a few years The Dr told me if my vision goes black get to ER immediately. He did mention the recovery from surgery is unpleasant. Glad you are doing better.

[Fidget Queen]

I've had floaters in my eyes my whole life - and been to eye doctors forever without them saying anything is wrong.

My dad has also had floaters his entire life - he also has gone to eye doctors his whole life with nothing.

My sister is the same thing.

That is so weird. It's so interesting that it's a sign of something bad for some but not in others. I'll have to start paying close attention.

I'm glad you're recovering well. That's scary

[Marie1120]

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad to hear all went well and you are recovering. I hope you'll be able to get back to working out soon. I've had floaters for many years and had them checked out. A couple yrs ago, I had light flashes in one eye and got to the eye doctor right away but just aging. I was still concerned and got another opinion which was the same. I'm glad mine was nothing but I agree that it is best to get things checked out right away.

[wishiwasinhawaii]

That's scary, but good thing you went in when you did. I've had floaters in both eyes for many years, starting when I was in my 20's. It's a part of aging and doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a detached retina, according to what my optometrist told me. He said if I start seeing a shower of lights or the symptoms Salamander had (hazy), to get to an ER or ophthalmologist immediately.

[Lucky Star]

Wow, that is a scary story - glad you're ok!