Any opticians around for some advice please ??

[carrielou2007]

I had a detatched retina which was operated on 5 weeks ago, I had sc buckling and vitrectomy. The gas in my eye has just gone and I also need a cataract (I think!) op as a result of thd vitrectomy. Thing is I am rather short sighted (-11 i think).

Anyway, my query is how long after my next op can I have my sight tested?? At the min in that eye I can't really see anything and though I 'm signed off work are being very twitchy and want me back ASAP. I honestly don't feel I can see well enough (other eye is -14) can't see on computer, work involves v small diddly detail!!

Sorry for the essay, my surgeon has been brilliant and said it would be about 8 weeks but my appointment for next op not for another two weeks, think my boss will implode by then!!

I think your going to have to sit it out, might be an idea to phone ophthalmology secretary and ask, if they say defintly not then ask for a letter for your employer.

best wishes, hope it all goes well xx

You should be ok to have a regular sight test around 4 - 6 weeks after your cataract op.

That's what I've been taught to tell patients anyway!

Thank you for your replies not sure my boss will like it but nothing I can do as long as I get useable vision again and can drive trying to look on the bright side!

Good luck! :)

Do you normally wear glasses or contact lenses?

I had a detached retina in 2008.

If the gas has gone then you are looking at three possible options (or a combination)
a)buckling has changed your prescription
b) cataract is preventing better vision. Although a vitrectomy hastens cataract development it's normally 6 months-year before effects are noticable I was told - I had my catact fixed with my second vitrectomy 3 months after first (to remove the silicone oil I had first time round, but did the cataract "while they were in there" ) It was causing minimal impact to myvision at that point, but it was only going to get worse.
c) you may not get back the same clarity of vision you had before, even with the best possible prescription - this largely depends on whether the macula (the bit that sees fine detail) was detached or not

Whether a revised prescription will help depends on what the issue(s) is/are (it will only help a) )
What has your opthamologist said? When do you see him/her again?

I've ended up with poor vision in affected eye, withvery limited reading vision, but you do slowly adjust to reading/using a PC with just one eye etc (still find things like threading needles difficult but not impossible)

You can still drive even if you only meet the standard with one eye (excluding buses HGV taxis etc they have more stringent rules) but again give yourself time to adjust to this before you go on a long drive!

If your work depends on lots of fine detail vision it may be worth contacting an occupational therapist (I think that's the right people?) - usually via HR if you have one) - to seewhat adjustments can be made - larger monitor, special software etc.

If I can help further let me know, I did loads of reasearch into possible outcomes and effects!

Thank you so much for your reply, had s letter today changing my spot in two weeks time until 29th October!! I can't get through to ask to bring it forward. Work will not be pleased if I am off umt then then off again for another op

My cataract is what is causing the most lack of vision and was to last time I would been seen in 4 weeks when gas was gone to then book that op.

I'm just feeling a bit wretched as I honestly don't feel I can see enough to feel able to go back to work as vision in my other eye I'd so poor. I don't feel safe driving and certainly not with ds in the car at the mo .

Work have mentioned occ health but I was thinking after having had anyone surgery ANC depending on his my sight is then would be thd time to look at what steps I need to do to be able to go bs k to work.

I think my boss thinks I am havi a great time, I went into work yesterday to try to answer some emails but I just couldn't 't see them

I think I will keep trying on the phone DBS will book to see my GP on two weeks. If he says get over yourself you can go back to work then I will

Sorry to hear things are hard at the moment. I went though a phase of being very down and frustrated, thinking why me and being scared what the future held, where would I be if something happens to the other eye etc. , so I can empathise with how you are feeling. I was so frustrated by even simple things like struggling to pour water in a mug without spilling it everywhere...even simple things are hard when you only have monocular vision.

It takes a while to adjust to your changing vision, and as my surgeon said to me it can be up to two years from the final lot of surgery before things finally settle down again and you know what vision you have been left with.

It's good news if they think most of the problem is cataract related though, as at least that is fixable. :)

As it sounds like it will be a while before they proceed with the catact op perhaps it's worth pursuing short term fixes in the meantime? Work would probably prefer to shell out a couple of hundred quid for a large monitor so you can bump up the size on the screen rather than have you absent for another 3 months I would think?

Hang in there, it does get more manageable and easier to live with, it just takes a while :)