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This may be too personal, but What the Hay…
Since April I’ve had a series of eye procedures and operations: 1. Cataract surgery to replace the lenses in my eyes due to bad cataracts, and 2. Retinal surgeries in my left eye to repair torn/detached retinal tissue.
So far, only my left eye has borne the brunt of these procedures. The first left eye symptom was a shadowy shape appearing from the left, and that was diagnosed as a detached retina, and it was lasered. However, the cataract was so bad in the left eye that the retina couldn’t be completely repaired using lasers. So, I had cataract surgery in the left eye – and when they could finally scan and see into that eye they saw major retinal problems that required a pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, endolasering, and insertion of a “buckle” on the outside of the eye.
All of this was invasive as they had to drain the eye, insert microscopic lasers and other tools to scrape away retinal and membrane tissue. Then they create an incision on the outside of the eye and sew in a buckle that is permanent to maintain the shape of your eye so that it doesn't encourage retinal tears/detachments.
Those laser and vitrectomy procedures went well, but by the time the air bubble that was inserted into the left eye diminished, another retinal problem was identified in the left eye. So last week I had a second vitrectomy in the left eye, and they filled the eye with oil instead of a gas bubble this time. So far, the second vitrectomy seems to have done the trick, fingers crossed.
I can finally see out of the left eye for the first time since April when the first retinal tear was discovered. Next…cataract surgery on my right eye in October.
Just friendly advice, if you notice any odd shapes or shadows impinging on your sight, seek professional advice right away. I’m not sure what the outcome of all of this would have been if I had ignored those first warning symptoms.
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The diamond shapes might have been a visual migraine, which looks like crystalline shapes twinkling in your vision that spread out and disappear. Usually there is no migraine pain with "visuals". You can google images that give an approximation of what a visual migraine looks like. They can come and go -- I also have those from time to time.
And, just to lessen anxiety if any of you face these procedures: although I was awake (light relaxing anaesthetics only plus injections into the eye to deaden it) they have all been painless, including the eye injections. The recovery, however can be really annoying -- when they use air bubble to support your eye/retina from the inside, you have to keep your head at various angles for hours and hours during the day. The angle depends on the location of the retinal problem (upper eye, lower eye, right/left). So for a week after the first vitrectomy/buckle, I had to keep my head bowed down for most of the day when I was awake (Audible books rock!), and I could only sleep on my right side.
This time, with the insertion of oil instead of a gas bubble, the oil is fairly rigid and positioning isn't much of an issue. The 2nd surgery was last Wednesday, and I am already back at work (albeit taking it very easy!).
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Posted: |
Sep 20, 2021 - 8:17 AM
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By: |
jackfu
(Member)
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John, as we say down south, bless your heart! Glad things are better for you and hoping for continued improvement.
You've been through a lot and I appreciate you sharing your experience.
I like the idea of a "Medical experiences" thread in which FSMers can share. Some of us have done so with Tinnitus experiences, etc., and perhaps others have been done as well. They could be a great help for others, I think.
King Solium, your experience sounds to me like an Occular Migraine. I have those occasionally. They start with what look like crystalline structures that appear to be on the surface of the eyes. Mine normally start on the left side and move to the right in an arc. They usually last 20 - 30 minutes before exiting right. The first time it happened, I thought I was going nuts, had a brain tumor, or something. I believe mine are due to eye fatigue, stress, or dehydration. Caffeine seems to be a trigger.
Anyway, thanks John and I wish you the best!
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Posted: |
Sep 20, 2021 - 8:25 AM
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By: |
Solium
(Member)
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The diamond shapes might have been a visual migraine, which looks like crystalline shapes twinkling in your vision that spread out and disappear. Usually there is no migraine pain with "visuals". You can google images that give an approximation of what a visual migraine looks like. They can come and go -- I also have those from time to time.
And, just to lessen anxiety if any of you face these procedures: although I was awake (light relaxing anaesthetics only plus injections into the eye to deaden it) they have all been painless, including the eye injections. The recovery, however can be really annoying -- when they use air bubble to support your eye/retina from the inside, you have to keep your head at various angles for hours and hours during the day. The angle depends on the location of the retinal problem (upper eye, lower eye, right/left). So for a week after the first vitrectomy/buckle, I had to keep my head bowed down for most of the day when I was awake (Audible books rock!), and I could only sleep on my right side.
This time, with the insertion of oil instead of a gas bubble, the oil is fairly rigid and positioning isn't much of an issue. The 2nd surgery was last Wednesday, and I am already back at work (albeit taking it very easy!).
Thanks for the information! Good to know! Wow, its just amazing what modern medicine can do. Dare I say it's almost a miracle. Really the procedures you're describing sound like something out of a science fiction film. Amazing.
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This may be too personal, but What the Hay…
I'm right there with you, John. This subject is on my mind a lot, the past two years. My vision is slowly deteriorating from cataracts, which I haven't had surgery for due to the pandemic (I haven't even had a haircut).
And when I absolutely need to have my vision restored, how bad will the wait be in a healthcare system backlogged from the covid years? All those delayed procedures.
And now, vaccine mandates in my state are causing hundreds of healthcare workers per hospital to quit rather than get their shots. Nobody knows how terrible the staff shortages are going to be, but the governor is "holding firm."
But my biggest concern is what will be the outcome of my eventual cataract surgeries, because in addition to cataracts, I also have vitreous detachments and another couple of complications that the last eye doctor I saw said would make the outcomes unpredictable. This was shortly before the pandemic shut things down.
So I hate to say it, but I'm kind of scared.
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My mum went for cataract ops, recently. They removed the one from her right eye, the ' good one'. Bit not from the left eye as they said it wouldn't be beneficial. They also found a detached retina, in the right eye. That was operated on, to correct. But they also mentioned macular degeneration, which isn't good. She took it quite well as it was all done with local anaesthetic. So she could see all the laser lights bouncing around her head. All theore.amazimg as she usually moans about anything. Her eye was black and blue for about a month.
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Just an update: My eye treatments and follow-ups have continued into this year, up to this week in fact. So far I’ve had 5 major surgeries on my left eye in approx. 1 ½ years:
1. Temp laser repair followed by cataract surgery.
2. Vitrectomy with membrane peeling, endo lasering, and insertion of a permanent buckle around the eye; air bubble injected to temporarily support the retina. The air bubble disappears eventually on its own.
3. Additional vitrectomy with endolasering and removal of some retinal tissue when the retina failed after the air bubble diminished. This time they injected liquid oil into the eye instead of a bubble. The liquid oil stays in your eye until it is surgically removed.
4. Vitrectomy to remove the liquid oil from the eye.
5. Vitrectomy with endolaser repair when the retina again began to peel off after they took the liquid oil out – different kind of air bubble inserted that lasted a long time before diminishing.
Lastest air bubble went away totally about two months ago. Follow ups as of last week have thus far not found any additional tears or deterioration in the left eye.
*Huge sigh of relief*
Between procedures 3 and 4, I had to switch care providers as the first surgeon, although terrific, only performed surgeries in a NYC suburb which entailed them sending a car service for me to take me to and from the surgery. On good traffic days, that was a 2 ½ hour trip. Trust me riding in a car service for a couple of hours following eye surgery is no piece of cake. Also my best friend had to take an entire day off of work to accompany me there and back again.
So now I’m receiving care with the New York University medical care team. I can walk to their offices from my office. I am not contemplating any cataract surgery on my right eye for the time being as they want to be sure the left eye is completely and totally stabilized. Due to the onslaught of procedures done to the left eye, it still has some internal inflammation that is being treated with eye drops. The left eye also developed glaucoma which is now under control.
How am I seeing? Well, the left eye, due to the inflammation and damage to the retina, sees everything in a distorted blurry fashion, but vision has been improving slowly. Distortions may remain depending on how well the retina tears heal as the inflammation goes down. My brain is also doing a much better job now of coordinating vision between the two eyes so life is less like a fun house mirror.
At the suggestion of my eye surgeon, I recently was examined for one new contact lens for my right eye. I’ve been wearing the one new lens for a couple of weeks and was examined yesterday. Weirdly, I now have 20/20 vision in my right eye using the new contact lens despite the presence of cataracts! The left eye will be able to be fitted with some kind of corrective lens once the internal inflammation is under better control. At that point my sight will be what it will be.
My advice is to see your eye professionals annually, and to address any weird anomalies in your vision that may pop up. As I’ve been told on multiple occasions by my care teams, I’d be blind in one eye if I had waited even a few more days back in 2021 when I first noticed the odd shapes in my left eye.
Stay well everyone!
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Just hopefully a final update. My left eye, fingers crossed, continues to have no retinal issues, just the glaucoma that is being treated with 3 kinds of eye drops. My visit to the glaucoma specialist last week went great -- the pressure in the left eye was back to or better than normal using the drops. There had been concern because a month ago the pressure was a bit elevated in the left eye, and they discussed the possibility of more laser surgery to correct the glaucoma a bit, or the insertion of a permanent stent in the eye for drainage purposes. My mind sort of went blank during that discussion, and the thought of the stent surgery caused many sleepless nights. But, yay, that is no longer needed as an option to consider.
My right eye remains stable with 20/20 vision when corrected by the contact or glasses. I was able to get glasses that correct both eyes, and it is so very weird to use them and see through both eyes now. My brain still struggles to coordinate the vision between the two eyes, especially when I wear the glasses, so I use the contact lens in the right eye to perambulate to and from work. I still have distortions in the left eye, but not nearly as bad as last year. The retina specialist says that the inflammation on the optic nerve in the left eye may improve incrementally now that some long term healing can hopefully occur.
At work, I usually just go with the contact lens as focusing on computer screens can cause major brain farts when both eyes are focused with sharp vision. I usually just wear the glasses at night and on weekends as it makes watching TV easier.
So insert here a terrifically huge sigh of relief.
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Posted: |
Mar 31, 2023 - 1:11 AM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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You've been through the mill, John. I hope everything continues to stay under control.
I was found to have glaucoma in 2018. Since then it's been kept in check with eye drops, but just about a month ago I started seeing what I called "swarms of flies" in front of my eyes. I kept trying to bat them out of the way. The ophthalmologist informed me that it was caused by something I believe you mentioned in a previous post - the vitreous had undergone a change, something "caused by age". In layman's language, what was once like jelly had partially crystallized, broken off, and started floating around freely. "Floaters" is the term in English, although I'm sure that's the dumbed down name for it. Anyway, basically it seems that in many people "of a certain age", the insides of their eyeballs start falling apart.
The specialists haven't detected a detached retina in my case, but the glaucoma isn't going to help the treatment they have lined up for me. I still don't know what it. Next appointment's on April 10th. Meanwhile I'll keep swatting those flies.
I wish I was as strong as my mum. I'm a wimp, but she's fierce. At 89 years old she's registered as deaf and blind, but she steadfastly refuses to allow it to defeat her. Reading and doing crosswords were what kept her going for decades living on her own, but she had to change her strategy when her sight started failing. Now she has my brother or one of the neighbours come in and shout the crossword clues into her ear, she'll work the answer out in her head and brother/neighbour will write it in. She then visualises what the crossword looks like and builds it up from there.
Anyway John (and others here), do take care of yourselves. Don't ignore health issues. We tend to make excuses to not see a doctor, either because we're afraid, or because we convince ourselves that it's "probably nothing" - which is usually a result of fear anyway.
Keep us up to date, John.
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I hope all goes well, Graham!
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