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What was your experience with vitrectomy eye surgery?
Scans revealed I have a retina hole (maybe he said a macular hole) and the doc says I must get a vitrectomy to preserve my future eyesight. I've got a swirly spot in the center of my vision in one eye. I'm pretty scared about getting my eye cut. Would love to hear your experience and tips if you have had this surgery.
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I had surgery for a Macular Hole.
Yes… prepare in advance by getting a special chair and be prepared to lay face down for a week.
Also, gas is inserted into your eye which and you will not be able to see until it dissipates. Mine was for 21 days.
But… it is worth it. I now have great vision!
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3 ReactionsI live alone and have pets, so I don't think I can do it. My daughter works and is not likely to have much time to help. I saw the surgeon for all of five minutes, and he didn't mention the face-down part. I only found out by going online. I'll phone the office on Monday and see if I can find out anything. My pucker is not that bad that I can't live with it, until it gets worse, of course.
I did not need to keep my head down. My understanding is that this is required for a retinal tear/detachment. My vitrectomy was for bad floaters & vitreous opacity. I am two weeks out, and have perfectly clear vision. I did have some floaters after the bubble dissipated, which lasted about 5 days, They are gone now.
I can't wait to get my left eye done!
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3 ReactionsI had my surgery for a macular home almost 25 years ago. I rented a chair and did the face down like others spoke of. Mine was only 2 weeks. I did form the Cataract and had surgery. I have a wrinkle and it bothers me when I try to read a book etc. I don’t think my eye doctor realizes how much it bothers me. I just try to live with until he does.
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1 ReactionWell, I got the surgery and I'm glad I did! I was scared, but it turned out to be not as bad as I imagined. My surgeon said that the eye would probably never be 100 percent perfect, and it's not. But I can at least I can now read with that eye, and I couldn't even come close before the surgery. It's not perfect, but it's much, much better!
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3 ReactionsHey @chippy98 - Having an experience like yours here. Any update?
Mine is a left tilt with metamorphopsia and double vision. I am 4 weeks and 2 days in with the annoying gas bubble still at like 3/4 of it's size.
Vision is coming back decently it's just this darned carnival mirror vision!
Mine vision is slowly improving. I'm glad I did it although the results are not perfect. My gas bubble dissipated after a couple of weeks, I wonder if you should ask your doctor about the slowness on yours.
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3 ReactionsI had vitrectomies in both eyes in the 1990's.
My vision was so much better after I recovered(it didn't take long).
I am sure that in 2025 the science is so much better than it was. Go for it.
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2 Reactions@ferd64 I agree that finding an excellent doctor is key but do you have any hints on how to do that?
@tillymack I am fortunate in that I'm within a few hours of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital in Boston, where my current opthalmologist referred me. Before commiting to the surgery, I also asked the retina specialist if I could talk to a few of his patients that had the surgery and he, with the permission of those patients of course, put me in touch with them. I also read up on the specialist and learned that he teaches the procedure at a reputable medical school (Harvard Med in Boston/Cambridge Mass.) I would also be weary of doctor who is readily willing to do the surgery without first fully understanding your level of disability from this. Are you near a good facility or could you travel?