The retina is a small piece of light-sensitive nerve tissue and blood vessels that lines the back of the eye . When it is torn or detaches from the wall of the eye, you lose your vision. If the retina is not repaired and remains detached for a long time, the vision loss can become permanent . Surgery is almost always the recommended method for reattaching the detached retina, although it cannot always restore vision to its original state . If your retina has detached, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to avoid serious and irreversible complications, including blindness. It is equally important to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure the best possible chance of regaining as much of your sight as possible.
Healing after a vitrectomy
- This procedure is the most commonly performed type of retinal surgery. Over time, the substance (whether it's air, gas, or liquid) your doctor injected is absorbed into the eye, and your body will produce a fluid that fills the eye socket. However, if your doctor used silicone oil, they will need to remove this oil after several months when the eye has healed
- take a painkiller like paracetamol
- use prescription eye drops or ointments
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the position to be adopted to allow the retina to heal.
- Do not fly until the gas bubble has been completely absorbed. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to fly again. .
- A gas bubble in the eye can cause complications during other surgical procedures. Let your doctor know you have a bubble in your eye before any surgery and before giving you a general anesthetic, especially nitrous oxide.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before handling anything that will be near your eye. .
- Soak cotton balls in the prescribed solution to clean your eyes .
- Soften the crust that has formed on your eye, then gently wipe the eye from the inside out. If you are treating both eyes, use separate cotton balls for each eye.
- Wear the eye patch for at least one week or as long as prescribed by your doctor.
- The eye patch will help protect your eye from bright lights, such as the sun, and protect it from dirt that might get into it.
Healing after pneumatic retinopexy
- Avoid eating and drinking for two to eight hours before surgery.
- Use eye drops to dilate the pupils (if your doctor tells you to do so).
- Once the tear site is closed, there will no longer be any fluid leaking behind the retina. The tear will then be treated with laser or cold therapy. .
- Your doctor will use laser or cold treatment to create a scar that will hold the retina firmly in place
- Let the doctor know that you have a gas bubble in your eye before receiving general anesthesia or before having surgery
- Do not fly until the bubble has been completely absorbed. Your doctor will advise you when it is safe to fly again
- Follow your doctor's instructions for how to apply drops and other medications
Healing after eye banding
- In cases where there are more tears or holes in the retina or when the detachment is large and severe, the surgeon might recommend an eye band around the entire eye.
- In most cases, the rim is left permanently on the eye.
- Your doctor may use laser or cold therapy to create a scar around the retina. This will close the tear in the eye wall, preventing fluid from detaching the retina.
- take paracetamol for pain relief
- use eye drops or ointments
- Soak cotton balls in the prescribed solution .
- Run the cotton balls over your eyelids for a few seconds to soften any crusts that may have formed on the eye.
- Gently wipe the eye from the inside out. If treating both eyes, use separate cotton balls for each eye to avoid the risk of infection.
- You will likely need to wear the eye patch over your eye until your follow-up visit (usually the following day).
- You should wear the eye patch outside to protect your eye from sunlight. You can also wear dark sunglasses to protect your eye while it heals.
- Your doctor may direct you to wear a metal eye patch while you sleep for at least a week. This will prevent eye injuries if you roll over on your pillow.
Take precautions after the procedure
- be very careful when showering to avoid getting soap in your eye
- wear an eye patch to protect your eye
- avoid touching or rubbing your eye
- Follow your doctor or pharmacist's instructions for the correct dosage.
- While your eye is healing, your doctor will recommend that you avoid driving until your vision improves or your condition becomes more stable.
- Avoid watching television or computer screens for extended periods. This can strain your eyes, which will prolong the healing time. You may also experience light sensitivity after surgery, and it may be difficult to look at screens. Reading for extended periods may also be difficult
Advice
- Avoid rubbing, scratching, or pressing on your eye.
- Once you leave the hospital after your retinal reattachment surgery, you will be solely responsible for your recovery. Make sure you understand your doctor's instructions and follow them exactly.
- It is normal to experience some pain, redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light after this type of surgery, but this should gradually decrease.
- Your vision will likely be blurry for a few weeks or even months after surgery. This is usually a normal part of the healing process. However, inform your doctor of any sudden, drastic, or concerning changes in your vision.
- Recovery from retinal reattachment surgery is long and slow. The final results of the procedure may not be known for up to a year after surgery.
Warnings
- Call your eye doctor or surgeon immediately if you notice changes in your vision, signs of infection such as fever and chills, redness, inflammation, bleeding, excessive discharge from the eye, difficulty breathing, cough, chest pain, severe or persistent pain, or new symptoms.