Macular Hole Surgery without Face Down Recovery Period

Posted by johnrb @johnrb, Oct 19, 2022

I have a macular hole which my ophthamologist tells me will require a 7-day "face down" recovery period after the surgery. In researching the subject, I came across an article published in 2012 by Mayo Clinic's Dr. Raymond Iezzi Jr. where he describes a method that is highly successful without the face down ordeal. His article, and a video describing the process, is on the Mayo Clinic website. My ophthamologist knows of Dr. Iezzi's study, but is not aware of any wide-spread acceptance of this method throughout the field.
Is anyone familiar with the method developed by Dr. Iezzi, and whether it has been adopted as a "preferred practice" by the Mayo Clinic?
Or, if you have actually had a macular hole repaired without the face down recovery period, I would love to discuss your experience with you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

Hi @johnrb, I'm tagging fellow members @bobstokes11 @sandyc65 @garymack22 @757rbsvbt757 @suehunter @saunaev and @babsstruck who have had macular hole repair (vitrectomy) and may be able to share the recovery experiences with you.

Are you considering a second opinion with another ophthamologist?

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I had no problem recovering from macular pucker. I have a great retina specialist in Pensacola. The surgery is painless. You have to put drops in for awhile but was no problem for me. I do have a shadow on my vision, but I think that was caused from my last cataract surgery. You should have no problem.

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I had no issues with my eye surgery recovery. I had to have a cataract removed on the same eye a year later.

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I did not have to have my face down at all. My retina specialist removed all the fluid in my eye, repaired the retina. I had to put drops in my eye for about a month and refrain from heavy work for awhile, but I had no problems. See a retina specialist. Great one in Pensacola, dr. Gupta.

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@colleenyoung

Hi @johnrb, I'm tagging fellow members @bobstokes11 @sandyc65 @garymack22 @757rbsvbt757 @suehunter @saunaev and @babsstruck who have had macular hole repair (vitrectomy) and may be able to share the recovery experiences with you.

Are you considering a second opinion with another ophthamologist?

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Yes I would make sure you
Are using the best ophthalmologist you can find. Does hurt to-do research/ second opinion.
I went with wrong ophthalmologist and had to pay the price. Lost 90 percent vision in one eye.
I. Still have macular hole / large that probably will not close.

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@babsstruck

I did not have to have my face down at all. My retina specialist removed all the fluid in my eye, repaired the retina. I had to put drops in my eye for about a month and refrain from heavy work for awhile, but I had no problems. See a retina specialist. Great one in Pensacola, dr. Gupta.

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I am having surgery with Dr Raymond Iezzi for MH with no face down in Rochester. Pensacola is MayoClinic correct?

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@mar75

I am having surgery with Dr Raymond Iezzi for MH with no face down in Rochester. Pensacola is MayoClinic correct?

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@mar75, you're in good hands with Dr. Iezzi at Mayo Clinic. When will you be having surgery?

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I called the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and they didn't have any Dr. Iezzy listed as on staff. Is he still practicing and how do you get ahold of him? I also have a macular hole and the surgeon here requires 7 days face down.

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@marshah

I called the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and they didn't have any Dr. Iezzy listed as on staff. Is he still practicing and how do you get ahold of him? I also have a macular hole and the surgeon here requires 7 days face down.

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I had to stay face down for a week.
I rented a chair and table specifically for this recovery.
I was able to watch TV and sleep.

Not the best experience but it was needed.

My issue was the gas that is put in your eye. I was blind until the gas slowly subsided. It took about a month!

Now I have pretty good vision in that eye. It is a little wavy, but that is mostly the outcome.

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