What was your experience with vitrectomy eye surgery?

Twelve years ago I had retinal detachment and a vitreous hemorrhage in my left eye. I was being seen by a retinal specialist after I got a lot of floaters. Even though my situation was monitored I still got the hemorrhage. The surgery wasn't successful and I lost the vision in my left eye even though I did everything right. I most cases the surgery is successful. Keep on top of the situation!

I had a macula hole repair vitrectomy a year and a half ago. I rented the equipment, bed, etc and planted myself face down, a foot above my iPad for a week. Brutally boring, but not unbearable. Healing went well. I do get a very tiny white flash every so often that I only notice at night when my eyes are closed, and I have a tiny blind spot where the hole was that I only notice when reading an eye chart.

I have an appointment next week to schedule a vitrectomy on my other eye to remove serious "floaters." No gas bubble is anticipated this time so recovery should be quick, and with luck I'll have vision without distractions for the first time in many years.

Wishing you the best.

@rcterry

2 years ago, I had a second vitrectomy on my left eye to “clean out” residual floaters. The results were devastating. Despite a doctor’s promise of wonderful results, the surgery caused a significant interocular bleed and infection. This injured my retina to the point that that my vision is impaired by central scotomas and flickering lights. The vision is poor and the damage is permanent.

Industry data says that the chance of the infection I got was .01%. Was it like lightening striking me, just bad luck? Or, did the surgical staff fall short on pre-surgical sterilization or did the surgeon make errors, or both? I’ll never know for sure, but the surgical unit’s inclination to run through as many surgeries as possible, very quickly, gives me pause.

Sum: My surgery was termed a “simple, 100% successful surgery” by my big-time surgeon. It turned into a nightmare. Just cautioning you to make sure that surgeon and staff are fully “on their game”.

@bobbyo It didn't work for be either. I lost the sight in my left eye. I continually see an ophthalmologist to monitor my right eye in which I got a Horseshoe Tear . I had floaters there also, but I did not hemorrhage. That was 12 years ago. I was monitored by a retinal specialist. It didn't matter.

Wow. Thank you for the input. I've been told that chances of success without complications are greater than 97%. My surgeon, as well as the facility, was very highly recommended. But you've made it clear that the consequences of falling in that 3% can be life changing. I am a 75 yr old widowed small business owner and very active (softball. cycling, sailing, construction/remodeling etc.) I may choose to live with my foggy left eye. Thank you again for the put.

I'm so glad I had mine done. It was a scary thing to do, letting them cut into my eye, but my results were great. The surgeon was able to repair the hole in my retina, and my vision has slowly gotten better and better. Before surgery, my vision in that eye was distorted and curved like a fun-house mirror and is now mostly good. It's not perfect, but it continues to improve each week.

It has been almost 3 years since my VTR. It went well. Worst part was the chair! Not being able to do much of anything for minimum of 7 days as I had the gas not air. I had/have excellent surgeon. I understood even with a very competent surgeon there was a possibility of having issues or even losing my sight. Thank goodness neither happened. All scaring was removed also. That was my left eye. My right eye is stable for now. I would do it all over again for the right eye if needed. I no longer need injections in my left eye and the is a huge plus! Wish you the best.

I had a vitrectomy 3 days ago, because I had a retinal tear with bridging blood vessel 6 years ago, and that vessel kept randomly bleeding into the vitreous. The surgeon cut and cauterized the vessel, and placed an air bubble in the eye. The surgery was not unpleasant at all, though I was awake but sedated.

I was nervous about recovery even though I do not need to keep face down. No lying on my back, so I sleep on my side or sitting up against cushions, to keep the air bubble positioned correctly.

The first day I was home was a bit rough - I thought I’d caught a cold! sneezing fits, runny nose - but I was later told that was to be expected due to irritation in the eye from the sutures. (not a cold) The sutures are not great but not terrible either. There are 3 of them but I’m only bothered by one. Maybe some people don’t really notice any of them!

For me, it is worth it because every time I had the hemorrhage it meant spending a day in the ER (it usually happened while travelling) and multiple followup visits to the opthalmologist while the blood cleared so they could check for new retinal tears.

My vision is improving rapidly. So far, so great! Thank you again, Mayo Clinic.

I’m facing vitrectomy + membrane peel for macular pucker, younger patient, looking for experiences

Hi everyone. I’m 41F and was recently diagnosed with a macular pucker and scheduled for vitrectomy with membrane peel.

I’ve been experiencing increasing distortion and difficulty with fine detail, wavy lines on the Amsler grid, and the vision can’t be corrected with lenses.

My retina specialist recommended surgery before it progresses further.

A few things that make my situation a bit specific, and I’d love to hear from anyone with similar experiences:

∙ I’m younger than most patients I’ve seen post here (41). Did anyone have this surgery on the younger side? How was your recovery and long-term outcome?
∙ I had LASIK years ago. Did anyone have prior refractive surgery before their vitrectomy? Any complications or things to be aware of?
∙ I’m trying to understand realistic recovery. How long until you could drive, work on a computer, and generally function independently?
∙ Was a gas bubble used in your case, or just saline? How much did that affect your recovery difficulty?
∙ For those who had the ILM peel in addition to the ERM removal, did your surgeon discuss recurrence risk? How has your vision held up long-term?
∙ Any tips for the caregiver/partner role during recovery? Things you wish someone had done for you, or things that made the first week easier?

I’m feeling good about my surgeon, but hearing from people who’ve actually been through this would mean a lot to me. I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone who was under 50 at the time of surgery.

Thank you for any insight you can share.

@dogloverinfl I cancelled an operation for removing a macular pucker. I live alone, and the thought of having to keep my head down for at least 48 hours to a week terrified me. So I have to live with it until it gets so bad that I'll have no choice. I understand the longer you leave it, the harder it is for the surgeon to operate.