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Wondering if anyone has had an FOV, Floaters Only Vitrectomy
I am wondering if anyone has had an FOV, Floaters Only Vitrectomy, and would be willing to share their experiences. For at least two years I was plagued with the constant irritating presence of gauzy, wispy, moving clumps that would obscure my vision and make reading and driving a tiring challenge. Prior to this I had had cataract surgery and a lens exchange surgery. Many, many follow up appointments and a second opinion did not pinpoint a reason for my continuing complaints. Although I did not complain of dry eyes, I was led to believe that was my issue and was treated with Xiidra and then Restasis and then even both at the same time, with no improvement in my symptoms. Finally a follow up appointment with a new ophthalmologist in the practice and my description of what I was seeing led to a diagnosis of a degenerating vitreous and a referral to a vitreal surgeon. Last week I had a vitrectomy to remove the vitreous. Despite the after effects of the surgery, the next day when the eye patch and bandages came off, I could immediately tell that my vision in that eye had cleared. It has been such a relief! I am hoping my recovery is uneventful and am now anticipating following up with the surgeon to schedule the procedure on my other eye. Has anyone experienced a situation similar to mine? Why would my problem not be recognized and diagnosed sooner? I have wondered if I simply was not able to describe my symptoms well enough or if ophthalmologists tend not to recognize or acknowledge how debilitating the condition can be. I understand that over time and with age the vitreous does degenerate for all people. Do only a few people experience what I did during that process or are there many people experiencing it’s deleterious effects on their vision and are just living with it, or as in my case, are not able to get a diagnosis from their eye care providers? I should add that I am in my early 70s and was extremely nearsighted my entire life. Anyone out there experience what I did?
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I have a question for anyone who has had the FOV surgery: I've found conflicting reports about whether or not you need to lie face down for several days after the surgery. My surgeon says I won't have to, but I can't find any reports online about this possibility. Did people here have to lie face down during the recovery period?
I had FOV last December and did not have to lie face down. However, on 2 previous retinal tear surgeries, my surgeon asked that I sleep on my left side and sit with a leftward lean so that the gas bubble would lay against the repaired part of my retina to promote healing in the first week after surgery.
So,I think the post surgery “posture” requirements depend on your surgeon’s preference AND other eye conditions you may have that pose risk.
I’ve posted in this group lots of times. Good luck!
Thanks so much for your input.
How have your eyes been since your procedure?
Had both eyes done, but pretty aggressive. Chances of detached retina
Go up. Worked great until retina became attached. On third retina surgery in one eye with very low percentage of getting vision back in eye.
Detached
Hi Denise, do you have floaters too?
I can relate to the disturbing trouble in seeing with floaters and what I explain as a gel like substance in addition to the floaters. My ophthalmologist referred me to a retinal specialist who could see some of my floater because in the middle of my eye, otherwise, they cannot truly see what is bothersome to us.
I am hesitant to have eye surgery because I would need 2 separate surgeries 6 months apart. One for floaters and then cataracts. Am scared!
It IS scary but all need to keep researching and consulting with the best surgeons possible. Of course, that isn’t so easy as our locations and/or medical plans can be limiting.
It sounds that your surgeons do these as separate procedures. Maybe, their rationale is to do the most necessary (cataract) surgery first and see how you fare? Then, have retinal surgeon remove floaters with FOV?
My local surgeons (cataract and retinal) are in one office and I understand that they can do FOV and cataract surgery during the same procedure. I am strongly considering this for my right eye since the cataract has gotten so bad AND my floaters are so significant. As said in previous entries, I had 2019 cataract surgery and 2020 FOV. I am in the Pittsburgh, PA area.
Good luck!
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1 ReactionI can't seem to find discussion on surgery to repair a wrinkled retina. What I would like, is to find someone who has experienced the surgery and their results. Floaters and other issues are good to know about, but I guess that isn't my main concern right now.