Retinal Tear Laser Surgery

Hi folks been reading all your comments feel bit better knowing im not alone. I have always had severe myopia only have good vision in one eye with contacts on. Anyway 7 months ago i noticed these black ant like dots in my vision after a week went to my optometrist he sent me strsight to the eye surgeon who said i had a tiny tear and needed urgent laser treatment then and there $1000 bucks later. Still have eyefloaters like a cloud or something going in and out of my vision drives me nuts. anyway on sunday i was out and notice a new floater this one looked creepy evil like it was the black cob web one i could see it in the crn of my eye was there for a minute then disappeared. I froze as i new what it meant. So next day went back to eye surgeon he found 2 new tears in tge same eye did laser again. I cried after i left as im petrified of hoing blind as its my one and only good eye im 47. I go back next week for check up. I might suggest to the eye surgeon that i get regular checks every 3 months to avoid hopefully not getting a detachment xxx

Hi Sandy

These things are very scary aren't they. I think it's sensible to ask for regular checkups as it's much easier to deal with tears than a detachment. Even if you were to have a retinal detachment, it is very likely they would be able to repair it if you went straight to the hospital (I think it needs to be operated on within around 48hours). I'm at high risk for retinal detachment myself because I have a genetic condition which makes me retinas weak, amongst other things. I have a hole in one of my retinas but that is considered to be lesser of a risk than a tear and so hasn't yet been repaired. Currently, I have a PVD which also increase the chances of tears and detachment so it's all very scary. I think most of us on here with eye problems have quite bad anxiety about it, so we understand what you're going through and are always here if you need to talk. All the best x

Hi Sandy, I couldnt agree more with ye. I had a retinal tear and had to have emergency surgery and I actually resorted to going to the Optometrist in between my Ophtamologist visits, to have the retina checked out. I become very scared and paranoid about it. Its horrible...you do whatever gives you some peace of mind and alleviates the awful anxiety. Also keep in touch on this forum, people are very helpful and supportive...

All the best

Trip.....

Hello everyone i was talking to my brothers friend and back in 2005 she started getting eyefloaters but had no idea what it was she just thought it was a bad reaction to new medication she was on, anyway a month on she went blind in one eye for 3 weeks ! She went straight to the sydney eye hospital she had a retinal detachment and were still able to save her sight. The op is still covered by medicare. She still has alot of fkoaters and even though her eyesight isnt perfect now she said at least she still can see.

This might give some of us some hope. I go back on Wednesday for check up lets see if theres any new tears nothing surprises me now xxx

Hi cara

How r things with you, i was very interested to hear scientists are looking into retinas. I have not been on this forum for some while i have had a bad few weeks, and just as yourself have suffered with anxiety. I wish you well with your check up next month.

All the very best.

Hi Judith

?So sorry to hear you've been having a bad time ?. Are you getting any help with your anxiety? It's so hard to live with when it's bad isn't it. I've been doing well this past week or so, with no new or worsening eye symptoms I've been able to manage my anxiety. I've also cut out caffiene and tried to eat healthier and I think this has had a positive impact on my mood. With anxiety it's ever so fragile though, you can have a good few days, weeks, months etc and then it it gets on top of you. And for seemingly no reason somethimes, too.

?I hope they are successful in developing artifical retinas as this could benefit so many people and eliminate the risk of blindess from retinal problems. I know that I would worry significantly less if something like this was available now. I only wish they could also work on a magic pill to get rid of floaters!

Take care x

Hi cara

A magic pill to get rid of the floaters would be wonderful. I some times feel my eye is losing sight. Do you bathe your eyes to make them feel easier?

I was not told floaters are forever, i was told i was a worrier and everything would be ok, ha ha.

Take care

Hi Judith,

I am afraid most floaters are forever. They do some times move away as the vitreous shrinks and moves.

The main thing is that if you make an effort not to look out for it all the time, you will suddenly realise that you can go days not realising it is there. The advise the doctors give saying the brain will not recognise them is rubbish. What really happens is that you get so used to them, that you then forget they are there.

Hi Judith,

?I sometimes use a hot compress mask, as this is helpful for the blepharitis/dry eyes aswell. I use eye drops too (the lubristill ones) as these make my eyes feel a lot more comfortable.

?When they say the floaters are not forever, they mean that you will stop seeing them because your brain adjusts. So they don't actually dissappear, but you won't see them anymore because you are used to them (so it is effectively as if they have gone away). I think with anxiety though, there's less chance of this because you are always kind of watching them, if you know what I mean.

All the best x

Feel for you Sandy. It must be frightening when you have just the one eye and that is causing problems. My Father lost his eye due to a detachment in 1972 and his other eye also needed urgent work. Since then he had had numerous operations for high pressure and cateract but the retina has held firm( touch wood).

He is 84 now and it is 45 years since the retina surgery.

Trust in the surgeons and be positive because the chances are you're going to be alright

Hi, do you mind me asking your age. This will help me explain why you are getting the tears

I do try to ignore the floaters, some days its not so easy, others ok. I know to lead a full life i have to get on with things, the problem i have the jelly surrounding the retina has turned to liquid, so when travelling in cars it feels as if my eye wobblies. But there are people worse than myself.

Best wishes

Hi cara

I also use a hot compress mask, its such a chore isnt it. Bathing the eyesand the compress, i just seem to get on top of it and it returns also we cannot wear eye makeup so feel a bit frumpy. I always wore eye makeup, particularly at work.

Best wishes

Hi Judith

?Yes, I do find the hot compress to be a chore and I don't use it everyday because sometimes I cannot bear to. If I'm feeling anxious, I simply can't sit there with it on for several minutes because I notice my flashing lights in eyes much more when they're closed and it's dark. I do make sure to clean my eyelids a few times everyday though and apply eye drops. I also avoid wearing eye make up now and I used to a lot so this bothers me.

?I find that concentrating for long periods, especially on screens, makes my eyes very uncomfortable so I'm unable to work at the moment because I work on a computer, I'm hoping things will improve, but if not then I'll have to look for a different kind of job. This is all new to me so I'm not really sure how people cope long term. I know the condition affects people very differently and, from looking at the blepharitis forum on here, I can see that some people seem to manage to get rid of their symptoms altogether, whilst others live in absolute misery for years. Some things seem to work for some and not for others.

All the best x

Hi cara

I worked with computers most of my working life, starting with early ones, i did come home late on in my career and my eyes were so tired. Now i know they were very dry, and do wonder if the tear in my retina had anything to do with this. Have a word with your consultant. Maybe they can guide you. It would be a shame if you had to give your job up, if you enjoy it

I know what you mean about the heat mask. I use it before going to bed but often only have it on for 7mins max.

Best wishes

I'm sure these eye problems must be interrelated, the dry eye, blepharitis and retinal problems. However, the consultants don't acknowledge this. I never had dry eye/blepharitis before the PVD and it came on at exactly the same time. I know there are many people with dry eye that have perfectly healthy eyes and retinas, but I'm convinced mine is connected.

?I think you're right about speaking to my consultant about the computers, I shall do this when I go to the hospital in a few weeks. I have written a list of questions actually because I find that they can sometimes be very dismissive and want to rush you out the door. This attititude makes me forget everything I wanted to find out.

?All the best x

Hi Cara

to be honest Id say its pure coincidental. The Retaina is at the back of the eye and the dry eye/bleph relates to the front of the eye, the tear film and eyelids/lashes...I fully understand how you are thinking cos I was the same this time last year.  The PVD is defo connected to your tear, it obviously tugged on the retina whereas with the majority of people it just gently peels away. In my case the reason why it tugged on my retina was due to a woeful bang and jerk to my head. How old are you , Cara, PVDs normally happen from middle age on , I vaguely recall you saying you were in your 20's??? I also agree about consultants, for some reason they dismissed bleph and dry eye as nothing and its far from nothing. The retina is treated with much more importance cos your sight can be threatened if the tear isent dealt with on time....

I agree they do want you out of the door. I also write down questions and my husband comes in with me so i dont forget anything. I think the stress of waiting together with hoping all is well, makes you forget.

I went to my optician after being discharged, he referred me straight back, and requested a full check up. That was when i was told the jelly round the eye had turned to liquid or i would have still be without knowledge.

I too had no problems with dry eye /blepharitis before either.

Take care x

I don't think they should discharge people with a history of retinal problems. I think they should see us routinely, perhaps once a year to check everything's OK as there aren't always symptoms of a tear etc. It can take a while to get an appointment when you've been out of the system and have to be referred again. I had to go on a waiting list just to be given an appointment. I have never had any symptoms whatsoever with the hole I have in my retina, it was detected when I had retinal photography at the opticians, so it's not always obvious to us when something is wrong. I guess it's all about resources being stretched.

All the best x

Yes, I'm 29 but I have a genetic condition which affects my eyes so that's why I have the PVD so young. It was extremely coincidental how the drye eye and blepharitis came on at exactly the same time for me, so much so that I assumed the dry eye/bleph symptoms where PVD symptoms as I didnt know I had more than one condition at first.

?You're right about bleph/dry eye being dismissed as nothing. Until I came on here and read other people's stories, I'd begun to wonder if I was being a great big wuss about it and overreacting. I do undersand that sight threatening conditions are going to be a priority, but daily life with dry eye/bleph can be quite a challenge when the symptoms are bad. It's still a new condition for me though, so perhaps I'll get used to it more over time.

?All the best x

I too think a check up yearly would keep one sane, but if i get anything not right i will go to the opticians, as he informed me to contact him and he would see me that day, he referred me as i said. So go to the opticians first, as the gps, have no knowledge they just put you on a waiting list, as you found. The medical profession dont seem to understand our concerns, as they are doing laser treatment every day.

Take care

If I have any new symptoms I'll go straight to a&e as this is the quickest way to get seen by an opthamologist. I'll be sure to attend my regular optician appointments though as hopefully they will pick up on anything that may not be causing me symptoms, as they did with the hole I have in the retina.

?You're right about the medical profession, I have found that the only place anyone wants to listen to my eye concerns is on here! The GP's don't understand eye problems and I've yet to meet one yet who's even heard of the genetic condition I have. I understand that they can't possibly know everything, but it makes it very frustrating having to explain everything all of the time.

All the best x

Judith

I'm in the US. They require me to see a retina specialist every 6 months...at the very least 1x a year. Is that not protocol overseas?

Thanks

Doug

How wonderful you get seen so often in the usa. In this country, as you will have seen by the comments, we have extra stress and anxiety trying to get follow up appointments. The eye consultants give as little time and will get you off their lists as soon as possible

Cara

You must have a very good a & e department. Our local a & e is athospital, which is ten miles away, is useless, but if that is your quickest way to be seen, that is the best course. I have been known to ring the hospital trust, which is 45 miles away, and have had more help there.

I am having a check up early next month, and i know i will be discharged again.

I know you are having a check up next month too. Let us hope we both get good news.

Take care

Hi

How r u doing. The sun has been out a d i m sat inside, as i cant cope wktn the bright sunlight.

When were you told you had genetic condition as you are so young to have any of the problems you have. I go to the eye clinic on the 5 june, and i know you go on the 7 june, i will cross my fingers for you.

I have been wondering how evelyn has got on. I will be very interested to hear, as i would love to be able to get up the courage to travel again.

Best wishes

Hi judith

It's a real shame that you should have to miss out on the lovely weather due to floaters and your anxiety surrounding them. Perhaps if you tried some darker sunglasses these might help to make it all a bit less noticeable? I hate that the sun makes the floaters worse, but I love the summer too much not to try and enjoy it.

I found out about the genetic condition 8 years ago now after my nice wa's born with a cleft palate and piere robin sequence. My dad had both of these an they said the later is not hereditary unless you have stickler syndrome, so we got tested. It affects eyes, ears, joints etc as it's a connective tissue problem. It's rare and there's only one specialist in the UK and he's at Cambridge hospital, which is quite far for me to travel, especially after having had all those eye drops they give you that make your vision blury.

I really hope evelyns holiday is going well too, I expect she'll let us know when she gets back.

I'll be thinking of you on your appointment day and keeping my fingers crossed that all is well.

All the best x

Hi cara

You are so brave dealing with all your health problems, and so young too.

Well we both have eye appointments next week, but you have to travel to cambridge for your appointment? I will think of you, as you say the eye drops are not wonderful, i go to bed for the rest of the day to get over them.

Take care x

Thankfully no new tears since my first one. Did the retina specialist say why it keeps happening

Im curious if you feel you're going to get your hole treated? I don't want to get mine done. The side affects sound awful!

I have an appointment on Wednesday at the eye hospital so I'm going to see what they say then. They may not even offer me the treatment as an option, but I'll let you know how it goes x

Hi judith

I just wanted to wish you the best for your eye appointment, I hope it all goes well. Mine is on Wednesday and it's in Brighton, rather than Cambridge, so is much closer to me.

All the best x

Hi cara

Thank you, i am not looking forward to it as you yourself will appreciate. I have no doubt i shall be discharged again. Our hospital trust is on record of being the worst in yorkshire. I wish you well on wednesday. Hope we both have good news. Do you have problems opening your eye on waking in the morning. I have added this to my list, but i will get a lot of waffle!

Take care x

Good luck, hope it does well. Mine is on the 12 th July and I'm dreading it already. Xx

It's terrible how the care varies depending on post code. I haven't had trouble opening my eyes in the morning, this is something you should speak to your consultant about. There seems to be many symptoms people get with their eyes and it's rarely explained properly by the doctors, they can be very dismissive. You should ask them specifically not to discharge you. Mind you, I did that last time at my local hospital and they said they wouldn't but did anyway after I was out of the door. Just want to get the numbers down don't they.

All the best x

Thankyou, I'm dreading it too but at the same time I want to go to make sure all is OK. X

Hi cara

I have just arrived back from the hospital. Eyes still a blur. I was not dicharged, surprise, surprise. In fairness i saw a new doctor, who has found a mole at the back of my eye which was lasered on! Cant understand how it hasnt been picked up before, as it is not nèw. Hope this doctor stays we seem to not keep good doctors. I went through my list and mentioned having problems opening the eye. He said it was because i have dry eyes, which i informed him i always put eye drops in. Informed me to see my gp to get better eye drops on prescription. So i will make my appointment, which will take three weeks to see the gp. I agree care does vary on postcodes. Unfortunately we do have a very bad hospital who are well down on the nhs league.

I will think of you on wednesday and hope you are not discharged as when that happens stress levels go sky high.

Take care x

Hi

Good luck today with your check up, i shalll be thinking of you.

Take care

Good luck with your appointment Cara, will be thinking of you xx 

Hi cara

Hope all well with your appointment yesterday. Have been thinking of you.

Take care x

Hi Judith

I'm so glad you weren't discharged! For dry eyes, I have personally found the lubristill eye drops to be the most effective and I have tried quite a few different products. They may be worth trying if you haven't already.

I had quite an experience at the eye hospital. The consultant brought everyone in to queue up for a look in my eyes because the condition I have is rare. I wanted to be helpful as many of them were students needing to learn, but it was an uncomfortable experience when they were trying (and failing) to guess what was wrong with me. I don't think they realise the effect this has on anxious patients.

I haven't been discharged (thank god) and they are going to see me in a year. They're not going to give me any treatment, either for the hole in my retina or as a preventative measure. I was previously offered cryotherapy to reduce the risk of retinal detachment, but the consultant I saw yesterday doesn't agree with that and said retinal specialists argue about the efficacy of preventative treatment and, if they were his eyes, he wouldn't bother. This just leaves me feeling unsure. If the bloody experts can't agree, then how the hell am I supposed to make an informed decision?!

Hope you're feeling OK after your appointment, it sounds as though the services are severely lacking where you are.

All the best x

I would take that as a positive as it's his reputation on the line by suggesting you shouldn't have the surgery 😊

Hi cara

The so called experts have no idea how their atitude towards us

Patients, having students in the consultation must have been unnerving. I would not have been happy with that, you must have been very anxious.

Having a rare condition as you have, you should have been treated far better. Also been offered cryotherapy and then another specialist has said not to have this. Mike had the crypo so maybe he will be able to advise you.

I am feeling very anxious as having a mole behind my eye is a worry and i can not understand how this was not found before. I have been told i will be seen in 6 months. Watch this space.

Take care x

Hi cara

Hope all is well with you, and you are enjoying the hot weather.