In being nervous of eye surgery (retinal tear?)

[dogcatwolf]

Posting here for traffic.

I was diagnosed with a big, fluid leaking retinal tear a few months ago (the day before our state went in to lockdown) and they scheduled laser surgery for this week assuming the worst of Covid would be over (it's not here but we're reopening anyway ).

I've received nothing at all in the post about my appointment, when I've called the office for questions they've been all huffy and annoyed and told me to just ask the doctor at the time.

I've pointed out it's meaning an overnight stay in hotel (with a six year old in a corona hot spot) and if I'm going to need to follow up the next day (as I've read on some internet articles) that's a big deal, we live hours away from the surgery and it involves boats and ferry schedules.

I know Covid has thrown a curve ball for everyone right now but I would have appreciated the normal level of info you get even for a mi or procedure, let alone messing around with my bloody eyes.

Anyone had this done? Will I be laid up for days? Can I drive after (not that day as I'll be dilated I assume.) Does it hurts? Does it take long?

I'm starting to get a bit panicky and am having vague thoughts of cancelling!

It depends where the tear is and how it is repaired as to what happens afterwards. You really do to ask some questions. Some retinal repairs mean lying face down for days or weeks in some cases.

@jgjgjgjgjg it's being done by laser surgery.

I had a retinal tear and laser surgery the same day it was diagnosed (a couple of years ago). Very quick, a bit uncomfortable but not painful. I couldn’t drive immediately after because of the dilation but would have been able to after a couple of hours. Definitely no lying face down!

@Worriedteacher1 everything I've read says that's the lying face down is when they do the air bubble injecting thing.

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. I always get several pages of generic information (and a map), even if they know its me and I'm returning for the same procedure. If they need to add more personal info they add a typed letter.

I had a retinal tear lasered 13 years ago (I was pregnant with DS at the time which is how I remember) - it only takes a few minutes, you get numbing drops in your eye and it's only mildly uncomfortable & you can't drive until the dilation wears off, but in the grand scheme of things nothing to worry about, honestly.

(I had a detached retina in the other eye 18months later involving a vitrectomy under GA - that is a whole other kettle of fish!)

posturing (as it's called) is only needed when you have either the air bubble or silicone oil as part of the vitrectomy procedure. How you "posture" depends on which they use and where in your eye the detachment was.

@dogcatwolf I don’t remember having an air bubble injected...perhaps it depends on the size of the tear/different countries may do things differently (I assume you’re not UK) but it really was quick and simple. It freaked me out when they said I would have laser surgery because my Ex had had it to correct his vision and was in huge amounts of pain afterwards, but this wasn’t like that at all.

this is the info from Moorfield Eye Hospital on the procedure if it helps
www.moorfields.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Laser%20retinopexy.pdf

@Worriedteacher1 I'm assuming you'd remember if they put a needle in your eye!

Thanks for the info, I've read the Moorfields stuff, I went there three times when I lived in London, my poor eyes have taken a beating over the years lol! Wish I had the good old NHS now, Christ knows how much this will costs!

@BetsyBetsyBoop

Thank you! You really eased my mind! Had it today and it was pretty uncomfortable but not that painful. I did have to take a break to go and throw up though! Apparently that's never happened before and as we're in a Covid hotspot I'm surprised they didn't kick me out!

Was made much worse because we were both wearing masks, the breath from mine kept fogging up his lens so he'd have to stop!