Guestbook

Hi Lara, 

It's a natural reaction to go rushing back to see a retinal specialist every time there is a noticeable change in the floaters or something else unusual happening in the eye (I know because I used to do that a lot in the first couple of years after my operations) but 99 times out of 100 it's a false alarm. 

In any event, many eye doctors recommend getting a retina check-up every six months for at least five years after a detachment. As you know, it doesn't hurt - it's just inconvenient because it takes a while for the dilation drops to wear off so you are limited as to what you can do for a few hours.

Glad to hear you are recovering from your depression.

David Astley | June 6, 2018

Hey thank you for sharing I would like to hear more from you anytime you got.
It has been a year since my appearance of floaters and I have been checking out my eyes to doctor thrice, dilated twice, i did it anytime my floaters changed shape. Luckily til now There is no significant change
Reading blog like you assure me and treat my anxiety and loneliness, you find someone who understood the struggle
He appearance of floaters with other ectopic phenomenon crushed me for months and i dug into depression ... i am happy i am recovering, yet anytime there is a chance I always ask for doctor to check out my retina, just in case.
Cheer

Lara Hok | June 6, 2018

Hi Kam Loong, 

I went back to the gym with no problems a few months after my surgery but I have never attempted to lift weights heavier than 20kg on doctor’s advice. For quite a few months after surgery I didn’t lift anything heavier than 10kg (when traveling I always asked porters to lift heavier bags) and these days I never attempt to lift anything heavier than 20kg. 

I can relate well to the pain that you had in your back when lying face down. The back pain I experienced after my surgery was worse than any pain that I ever experienced in the eye. 

David Astley | March 15, 2018

Hi, David,

Great running commentary on your experiences with retinal detachment. I am from Malaysia.

I am 34 days post vitrectromy. Just wondering, are you able to go back to the gym, lifting weights, etc..?

I have also journaled my experiences, as below, if it is of help to anyone..:

My Journey from PVD to RD to Vitrectomy.

Monday night 5 Feb 2018
Noticed a lot of flashes on top right corner of left eye.

Tuesday
Some watery layer on same area each time I shift my eyes to the left. Didn't think it serious. Used to flashes & floaters. Anyway, decided to get my eyes checked. 
Datin Teo of SJMC on leave. Went to Ranu Eye Specialist Center. 
Dr Ranu didn't find anything wrong with my retina. It's just posterior vitreous detachment. Need to monitor closely.

Thursday afternoon
The translucent layer covered more than 1/3 of left eye & blurring vision. Went to Dr Ranu again. He again examined & found nothing wrong. In order to put me at peace, he referred me to Dr Kenneth Foong of SMC, vitreo-retinal specialist. But Ken on leave. Then referred me to Dr Selva of SMC. But Selva only available on Sat. 
No. I need to see a specialist immediately. Hermon Yong, who's done this before, recommended Paul Singh from Hussein Onn Eye Hospital who treated him. But that was 20 years ago. Ranu then suggested Lim Kian Seng at ISEC. But LKS at conference. Finally decided to see Dr Ronald Arun Das, recommended by a few people.
Prayed so hard. I asked God for the restoration of my eyesight for His Namesake & His glory. Hoping against hope that it is only a simple floater issue that will go away.

Friday
ISEC Dr Ronald immediately diagnosed as retinal tear & recommended immediate vitrectomy. He will squeeze my op to before another of his surgery at noon. 
I was stunned & just followed the nurse like a lamb to get registered for surgery! I didn't know what I was doing..... Kept thinking about having to cancel our Penang trip at CNY & probably even Bangkok trip Mar 17!
I so wanted to have a general anaesthetic op but couldn't becos this was a last minute op & there were no anaesthesiologist available. 
I have already watched YouTube videos earlier how three ports will puncture & be inserted into my eye ball through the eye white to facilitate inserting the fibreoptic light, vitretor & other micro surgical instruments, it was scary.
So, it was to be done under local anesthesia.
After lying down on OT table, they applied a few different eye drops. Finally Doc gave a jab into my eye, & mentioned that the hardest part was over. I think that was the anaesthetic jab. It didn't hurt at all :D. I was expecting a tooth extraction type of jab...!
After that when Doc started puncturing & inserting the micro instruments into my eye, I only felt some light pressure on my eye ball. Could even see the vitretor sucking the vitreous.
Soon I couldn't see anything from my left eye. I think that was when Doc pumped in the gas bubble.
The op only took 20 minutes. Faster than expected. A doctor friend commented that Dr Ron is very skillful & fast in what he does.
After being pushed out of OT, Doc ordered 5 hours face down. And thereafter two weeks lying on right side. Quite confusing becos I was told before the op it will be three weeks face down..., Will ask Doc again during followup on Monday.
Good news. AIA approved my Guarantee Letter, so my was covered by insurance.

Saturday. Removed the bandage. Vision is very blur & distorted. Like looking through a fish bowl. Could actually see the meniscus of the gas bubble on top of my vision.
Time passed so slowly. Sitting face down was like in a torture chamber. Neck & back hurts like mad.

Sunday. 
Nothing to report. It will take a long time to see the results of healing, that is, after the gas bubble has dissolved.. 
I can still see that translucent layer on my top right corner. Will it go away?
Nothing I can do, now. 
I got a good Doctor who did a good job. 
I got a great God who has created me with a fearful & wonderful body! He has never let me down whether in matters great or small. I have already petitioned to Him as only a child could ask his father. Only thing to do now is to trust Him.

Monday
Went for follow up today.. Doc reminded me not to move too much & stick to the positioning protocol to prevent tearing again. Thought he was a bit impatient.

Tuesday. 
Thought I saw some broad flashing light moving along the bottom. What could that be? A bit scary here. Maybe it's just images of the smaller gas bubbles..?

Monday Feb 19
The occasional flashes has reduced. The translucent layer has gone.
Went for my follow up. Doc says the retina is healing nicely.
The gas bubble is about 50%. However, the image above the gas bubble is a bit distorted. Straight lines, edges, etc, are not perfectly straight. They are sort of wavy in the center.
Doc says this is probably temporary. He will do a scan of my eye two weeks later.
I still have four more days of positioning, i.e., lying sideways all day :D

Friday Feb 23
Today is the last day of my lying down sideways positioning. What a relief. How did I endure the past two weeks?
One day at a time. 
One hour at a time.
Today is not the end of the journey. My retina will take 4~6 weeks to heal fully. The gas bubble will probably take another week to disappear. My vision distortion will take some time to stabilise, if there are no other problems.
Where was God in all these? Dare I make a statement even though my journey is far from over?
I could see His impeccable timing.
Just when most of the retinal specialists were unavailable due to the pre-festive season, God led me to Dr Ronald who was an expert in this field.
I have just finished my office assignment when this happened.
It could have happened when we were travelling to Penang for CNY.
Retinal detachment has a bad reputation of happening again without warning especially for high myopes like me. It is so beyond my control. Each time I notice flashes in my eyes, my heart would skip a heartbeat. Is this deja-vu?
I pray for strength and will continue to trust God for the remainder of this journey.

Friday March 9
Starting working since Tues March 6. Vision nearly as good as before. The slightly wavy lines in left eye not so noticeable when I am looking with both eyes.
Eyes tend to tire easily. Kept reminding myself not to strain my eyes, rest my eyes by looking in the distance at every interval.
Wonder how long before I can go back to normal life, able to lift heavy things like pail, car battery, hammering, etc...
From FB chat group some say 3 months, some say one year, some say always cannot lift heavy things......
I am confused and disheartened. I am only 58. Have I so fast become an invalid that i cannot carry out laborious tasks...? Like carrying a pail of water to mop the floor? The other day when I carried a pail of water becos of water cut, I felt a "tug" on my eye. What was that?
What about my trip to Bangkok on Mar 17. Can I not carry my luggage? So humiliating...so useless.....
Nearly got involved in a car accident this evening. Slammed on the brakes when some idiot beat the red lights right across in front of me..! That jolt! Did it dislodge my retina?
Scared. Depressed. Useless.
Reading all those articles (& form Dr Ronald, too) that the possibility of the other eye getting RD is 10~15%. 
Now wishing I had also dilated my right eye for doc to check last Friday!
Felt very depressed. Wished I had requested anti-depressants from Doc. Maybe request for it next visit.
Having this perpetual fear that I have a glass eye that might break anytime....

Wed Mar 14
Had a final check-up before our family trip to Bangkok on March 17. Doc gave the all clear. But dunno why I still feel the occasional ache in my eye. Maybe its the nerves still healing from the laser to my tear. Anyway, I guess this is where faith and trust in God comes in. The timing of my RD just before CNY showed that God was in control all along. However much I would like to, there are many things in life that are out of my control. Just have to trust God one day at a time. He has never let me down before.

March 15, 2018 | Kam Loong Lee

Hi David
I found your 'post' interesting to read! I was at work when my detachment occurred and I thought it was something else!
I went directly to the local hospital But they didn't t find it and gave me drops which I used daily.
I later on went to see my GP who referred me again to the hospital, I then saw a Specialist who was Brilliant But by the time I was examined at Moorfields, it was too late!

Incidentally I am also deaf in the same side as the 'bad' eye!

So the moral of the story is seek help if in doubt!

Regards. P C D

June 18, 2015 | Peter Duckett

Hi Marilyn,

My eye surgeon was adamant that you should not fly if the gas bubble had not been completely absorbed. Something to do with the gas expanding with the pressurization of the aircraft. I guess if it was a very small bubble left, it might not be a problem, but if it is anything other than small, I'd be very wary about flying. 

Regards . . . David

March 22, 2015 | David Astley

I had surgery forRD 2 weeks ago under local anaesthetic I had to sit upright for first week only, I had gas bubble in eye and I am still aware of it, at my appointment yesterday doc said things were progressing well I told him I had a holiday booked in 2 weeks time (flying) he said it should be ok but my problem is what if I am still aware of gas bubble what will I experience when I fly, I am a nervous flyer at best of times.

March 18, 2015 | Marilyn

Hi
Thank you David for sharing your experience with your eyes. Also, all others telling their stories. I am a 53 yr old guy, who from 12/29/14 to 1/26/15 had a retina detachment and 3 tears corrected by
laser and freezing. All that in less than a month. 1/18/15, no new tears but am scared to death more will appear and I worry about my other eye.

I have severe anxiety and am having trouble coping with this even with my good diagnosis today. I coach two sports year round and live a very active life. Just don't know what to do. Dr. keeps saying odds are so small of having more tears but they keep appearing. Oh well, I will push on and take it day by day like the people here seem to be doing. Good luck and healthy eyes to all.

January 29, 2015 | mark

Thank you for sharing your experience. I also had vitreomacular traction. Mine appeared rather quickly but I did not have the flashing or floaters. I am an artist and suddenly noticed when doing detail work that I had lost vision in my right eye. It had progressed to a full macular hole. It was 20/20 one year prior at my exam. Being in my 60's I'm just the right age for this. Odd that my left eye and brain compensated for this until I tried some detail work. I couldn't even see the large E on the snellen chart. Only the peripheral vision remained. My hole was too large for the new jetrea shot but I also was told that leaves you with everything looking yellow permanently--unacceptable for an artist. Eleven days after vitrectomy I could see a blurry 20/70. The doctor was pleased-- I was scared and grieving my loss. Now Five weeks after surgery I am sure my vision has improved much more and my "home testing" makes me think my eye exam next week will show perhaps something near 20/40ish. I do have trouble with the green street signs if looking only with that eye. But black on white is easier because of the contrast. I do not yet have a corrective distance lense as I have only needed for reading in the past and it is best to wait a bit as there is, hopefully, more improvement to come. The six days face down because of the gas bubble really wasn't as bad as I thought but I was glad when it was over. I used a massage chair and a donut in bed at might. A mirror on the spa chair allowed watching TV. I had a large number of tiny black floaters, like knats, after the gas bubble disappeared that were most predominant when looking at the sky. Much of that is gone, only a trace left. Lots of progress over the last five weeks and I understand the first six months has lots of healing and even minor improvements up to 2 or 3 years later. My biggest fear is what if this happens to my left eye. Doctor gave me a testing device to look through daily to monitor any changes. He says there is only a ten percent chance. It was shocking to have this happen but I try to keep it in perspective and separate that out and allow myself to be grateful for an excellent surgeon and the eyesight that is being preserved. That is essential. We cannot change what has happened. I now take vitamin C and multivitamin to help with healing and healthy eye and am eating lots of foods that provide vitamin A. To those of you experiencing this, have lots of patience. Your eye will take some time to heal and everyone will be different. Do not lose hope. All is not lost. Get a good surgeon and do it quickly. Do not delay.

September 4, 2014 | Carol M

I can recommend the Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asok Montri Road in Bangkok, Ritva. I had my right eye lasered there once when I noticed a tear developing whilst traveling in Thailand. The facilities are modern and the doctors seemed competent. It is within walking distance of the Phetchburi MRT station. Their website is www.rutnin.com

August 16, 2014 | David Astley

Hi David and all following this blog
I have just received 4th laser treatment "stiching" to my left eye. I had symptoms already in June and was checked by an opthalmologist here in Kathmandu Nepal but due to lack of appropriate equipment the tear went unnoticed until I went to Finland (my home country) for second opinion. I have been severely myopic almost all my life so retinal problems have been in my knowledge as long as I remember, and this is lucky as I insisted that something was not right hence travelled for a second opinion.. There was a clear tear which was lasered trice and I was allowed to return to Kathmandu where I live. However, now two weeks later I had to seek advice from a retinal specialist here and laser was renewed once again. 
I would need advice from readers who live in India (Delhi) or Thailand (Bangkok) about good international standard facilities that can treat retinal detachment IF I ever need treatment for that (India and Thailand are within relatively easy reach from here). I am a nurse by profession and want to be prepared, and know that laser and cryo can be done here but for anything more complicated I need to go out of the country. I have googled Delhi and Bangkok facilities however, as they are in hundreds, and as I am new to the region it is very difficult to know whom to contact. I would like to find a consultant and hospital and make an intial contact just in case if I ever need help. . 
Thanking you in advance for possible advice
and David - yet your article is already some years old I truly benefiited from reading it. Thank you for sharing your experience.

August 15, 2014 | Ritva Jantti

Hi David!!
Many thanks for the resume over Your experience ofa RD. I had my RD in feb 2014 and at that time did not know anything. google and found out that it was normal for my sex and age ( male 66 y). But it was not right at all.it was totally wrong and I have my RD sealed by lazer and had also gaz injection three times. After 4 months still having problems as it is not attatched in a right way. I have unfortunally did to much sport during the healing period which have caused more problems. Now the doctor ( DocCaihita Cebu, philippines)who seems very good like to change from gaz to silicon oil. I try to find out if that is the right way..I have still some 20% ofmygaz injection inmy eye and liket to take a flight back to sweden for more eye treatment but as I can see I have to wait to at least 90% of the gaz bubble is away from the eye.It also seems important which gaz injection I have (mixrure) and important seems also to be which sort of aircraft I will go with as they have different cabin air pressure. I do not know but I will prob go with a boing 777 300 and than Airbus 380. Probably the best choice as thouse aircraft are new and high ranked. Butso many thinks that was unknown and now taking over my life. I have tried to find a way back to eruopeby trans sibirian train russia vladivostok to sweden but I have just air flight connection from Philippine to Vladivostok..Anyhow many thanks to allofYou for your stories thatgive mystrenght to try to find out a good solution with my new lifestyle..

June 12, 2014 | Ove Ohlund

Thanks for your blog, David. I am sitting here waiting to hear news about my husband, and his retina surgery. It is very stressful. I was wondering about airplane travel causing retina tears, and I am very happy to hear that you have been traveling by air since your surgery. Travel is a big part of my husband's job and he had just gotten home prior to having the symptoms. Of course I was putting two and two together thinking about air pressure and fearing that he would not be able to fly anymore, which would seriously impact his job. Not good to find a new job when you are 50. I am also worrying about the fact that he reads things up really close off of his smartphone all the time, and I was thinking maybe that would worsen his nearsighted problem. I already know that nearsighted people get retina problems.
Anyway, it is useful to read posts by people who are doing okay and living with this problem, because it helps me get through this particular moment when I am really upset. God bless you, and I hope you stay well.

November 3, 2013 | Amy

Hi Helen. Soreness of the eye is not usually a symptom of a retinal tear (they are usually completely painless) so it could well be something else you are suffering from. However, to be on the safe side, until you get a proper check-up, don't do any heavy lifting. If you are experiencing a retinal tear, that will aggravate it. Other household chores, reading, watching TV, etc. won't aggravate it. But if you suddenly experience black floaters in conjunction with the bright flashes, or see a black patch anywhere within your field of vision, then get yourself to an emergency room as soon as you can.

July 14, 2013 | David Astley

Thank you for your clear and concise information on retina tear. I
had just replaced my glasses for shortsightedness when I noticed flashing in my left eye and floaters. It was on a Friday, and I just carried on as usual thinking it was a reaction to the new lenses. Then my eye became sore and the flashes brighter and I became worried, and I began reading the internet information and blogs so went back to Optomitrist the next morning ( Saturday) . He said to test whether I could see my fingers wriggling out of the left and right side of my face, and if it got worse over the weekend to immediately go to a hospital. While I realise it was busy, being a country town, and he did some tests and said he would send a referral to my GP ' I would like to know what I should or should not be doing. I run my own home, should I be cleaning, chopping the wood for the fire, wearing the new glasses, driving the car, watching TV, reading etc?
I would be grateful for some interim feed back.

July 14, 2013 | Helen Turner

To Charlie and all of you. Thank you so much for your support. My cardiologist approved me for general anesthetic and my pulmonologist "prepared" me for surgery with a lot of updraft treatments (3/day plus 4 inhalers - all the same medicine). Two weeks later, my surgery went like a charm! After several weeks of head-down position and side position, a lot of trips back to the surgeon and some laser therapy/surgery he finally said "attached retina"! I asked him to repeat that and he admitted that he had been having his reservations also; but my retina is now completely attached.. What a thrill!!! Later, I had to go back to the pulmonologist for a breath test and it showed that I am in final stages of COPD. He didn't give me a prognosis of time, but my g.p. did. His comment was "Well you might live a year if you're lucky". I assumed that he was just in a mood because he was upset that I had had the surgery after so many others had labeled me "not a candidate for surgery". He was really upset when he found out about it. His remark really threw me for a loop and anxiety kicked in causing severe itching all over my body. I could count the hrs of sleep I've had in the last couple of weeks on one hand. Went to a different doctor for that though and he has really been working with me. The latest treatment being prednisone seems to be helping - I slept most of last night! The itching is subsiding. Fact is , howerver, the shortness of breath is not. I don't know how much time I have left; but with oxygen and good eyesight, I will be able to see it through and maybe get things in order before my time is up. Our 50th anniversary is in July and I hope to make it to then. The doctor I am going to now said "when you reach that goal, you can set another". I hope he's right. Wow! it has been a busy 4 mos for me but is wonderful to see..:-)
Thank you again for the support.................Barb

March 18, 2013 | Barb

Thank you so much for your web site. I have had two surgeries in two weeks time from a detached retina in my left eye I had the band and gas bubble first. I then spent a week laying flat on my face. I ended up having a second laser and oil surgery last week because my retina did not completely reattach. My retina is now 100% reattached. However, I have to have a third surgery to take the oil out in 2 to 3 months. My vision in my left eye is not good now. I was in a car accident. A lady accidentally rear ended me. It took a week and a half before I noticed any vision problems. Before the accident I had perfect vision in both eyes. It's hard to have to go through such a life changing event like this. I'm fairly young and travel a lot with my career as well. I'm also a young mother and I love to jog. I miss doing normal everyday things. I keep telling myself I will get better. Also my right eye still has perfect vision so I am grateful. The one thing I have learned is that life can change in an instant and we cannot take things for granted. Thank you again for your web site. Reading your experience has been most helpful. I wish you the best and I will keep you and other folks like us in my prayers.

December 16, 2012 | Shelley l

Hi David, 
Many thanks for sharing your experience about retinal detachment (RD). I had RD surgury a few weeks ago and your blog has been a great source of information for me. One more thing i will like to know is your work life and productivity after the RD surgury as a journalist. I am a young researcher and a writer. I read and write alot almost everyday. I am wonder if i could still continue to do this or i need to be cautious. I think your experience would really be helpful.

December 13, 2012 | uma

Hope u can read this. had my retina detachment done 2 days ago; am in the facedown position now for two wks or more. hope not much more. just wanted u all to know i msfe i. wukk ket u know more when i can type,,,TY zll

December 2, 2012 | barb

Hi David
Can I just ask if you were ever advised to take vitamin/mineral supplements for your eyes? There is loads on the 'net' of course but Lutein and Zeaxanthin come up a lot as does Vit. A and zinc. Unsure whether these are for retinal health or more connected with AMD...........or just for general eye health. Someone recommended iCaps to me!! Any comment on this? Thanks

November 27, 2012 | Kathy

Sorry barb, I meant I had my detached retina repaired under LOCAL anaesthetic and by the sounds of it our detachment were similar (I had a curtain shadows coverin about half my vision) might be worth asking about. Also I think argon is mainly used for tears and small repairs, I had lots of tears repaired in my left eye (FYI, it was more uncomfortable than the operation!!)

November 21, 2012 | Charlie

ps although it doesn't hurt so much as to be unbearable! I'm not trying to scare you. It's nothing like, say, an abscessed tooth. THAT hurts. This is painful and uncomfortable but bearable and short-lived. So don't be afraid!

November 21, 2012 | T Hartwig

Hi Barb, I'm sorry, I should have elaborated. When I had my two retinal detachments due to vitreous separation, my retinal surgeon used argon laser to basically weld the tears back together. It's worth asking about, altho I must warn you that yes, it hurts - you are awake for the procedure, they numb the outside of the eye, but that laser does hurt, although I was told my reaction was atypical. 

anyway do ask if laser retinal surgical repair is an option. I think I lucked out. All the best!

November 21, 2012 | T Hartwig

I'm not sure what argon laser is...Will look it up..Thank You.

November 21, 2012 | Barb

Barb, I had my retinal detachment done with argon laser, no anesthetic required. Is this not an option for you?

November 20, 2012 | T Hartwig

Charlie - Thank you for responding. My problem with general anesthetic is my lungs. My COPD is a combination of asthma and emphysema. I also have a herniated diaphragm which means that my stomach is taking a lot of space in my lungs (it's in the wrong place). It's hard to detect but was caught on an x-ray about 3 yrs ago. Usually a person is born with it, Back in my day though, they probably didn't check for it or know how to do the surgery to fix it. My brother was born with the same problem, but they found his when he was in his 20's and were able to do major surgery, removing his stomach and other parts and then putting them back where they belonged. He was not expected to live long. Amazingly, it's the two of us out of six who have lived the longest. He passed away at 75! Sibling-rivalry :) I was hoping I could outllast him. Thank you again for your response.....Barb

November 20, 2012 | Barb

Hi Barb, sorry to hear you are having such a rotten time. I had my retinal detachment fixed under general anaesthetic, is this not an option for you? It sounds awful but it's really not that bad. I too had a detachment in my right... This happened to me last December at the age of 21!! I wish you all the best in whatever you decide x

November 20, 2012 | Charlie

I need help. 14 mos ago I had cataract surgery in both eyes. At the time, I was told that I also had a "slow" eye; when I turned my eyes to the side, one of them was slow to come back in line with the other. When my blurriness started, I assumed it was because of that. Then the floaters started. They looked like so many fruit flies that I threw out some perfectly good bananas:). Then there were the light flashes and I realized something was really wrong. Tried to make an appointment with the cataract surgeon but couldn't get in for three months. Went to my optomotrist for a referral and they didn't listen to him either.. I called him on the phone and asked him to see what he could do to get me in sooner.Finally they did listen and suddenly it was an emergency. I got in right away, was examined and told I had a detached retina! Things moved quickly then. I saw a specialist, was scheduled for and prepped for surgery. At the last minute, I saw the anesthesiologist and he asked the surgeon to cancel because of my COPD, previous heart attacks (7) for which I had 3 stents put in and various other medical problems. For one thing, I have been on medication for Epilepsy for 54 yrs.; and am on blood thinners for my heart of course. I am 69 yrs old. Now I have an appointment with a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. Am scheduled for surgery (if approved) for two weeks from the time of when my first surgery was to take place. 
There is a good chance that I will not make it through surgery. I have previously been labeled "not a candidate for surgery" by two other surgeons for other conditions where general anesthetic would be used. 
The eye specialist is very determined to do this surgery. I asked what would happen if I didn't (the curtain covers about half of my right eye now). He said that eye would have some pain, shrivel and go blind. Then the other eye would have the same problem. Maybe I should mention that I am very near-sighted.
As I sit waiting for the days/wks to pass, I am wondering if I should just say "NO".
It seems that I have a choice between going blind or being dead. I imagine that blindness would be terrible to live with; but I have a family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live for as well as my husband. I had been hoping to make it to our 50th anniversary next July. Longevity is not a longsuit in my family - most siblings died by the time they were 50; so I am surprised to have lived this long.
Please help me decide: Living without seeing or very very possibly die in surgery to save a vision that I won't need anymore? I just don't know what to do.
There is a chance that the cardiologist and the pulmonologist will make that decision for me - at least in their opinions. But I am afraid that I will still be given the option...............................Barb
.

November 20, 2012 | Barb

David, many thanks for your reply. It's amazing that the length of time for the vitreous to completely varies hugely...........like you I was told it would take around six months, this doesn't seem to be supported by what I have read in the internet.

The right eye (which was lasered six months ago) now seems fine, fingers crossed no further incidents. The left has settled down considerably and is no longer flashing and the floaters are slowly diminishing. I will heed you words regarding travel though. I find it rather scarey, to say the least, that if something should happen abroad, I know I would panic if couldn't get to an eye clinic. I will use all caution (i.e. no heavy lifting etc) and hope I am one of the lucky one's who doesn't have to manage this long term. Having read your story may I can you were incredibly brave, all those air miles would have freaked me out !! Good luck I hope you can now put it all behind you.

November 15, 2012 | Kathy

Hi Kathy,

When I first started having problems with my right eye I was told by an eye doctor that the vitreous detachment normally takes around six months. After eight months when it was still very active, the doctor said it sometimes takes a bit longer in some people. After 18 months, when it was still active, he stopped giving me estimates of when my vitreous detachment would be completed.

Now nearly 10 years later I still occasionally get flashes in both eyes (when the vitreous gel tugs on the retina), so it appears my vitreous detachments have still not been completed in both eyes.

If your vitreous detachment is still quite active (i.e. regularly seeing flashes of light) then you certainly need to be careful about how far away from an eye clinic you are when you are traveling. I did a lot of traveling when my vitreous detachment was active and ended up having lasering done at clinics in Germany, Thailand and the Philippines.

Nowadays my vitreous detachment is not so active so I feel more confident about going to more remote places. In 2010, I spent more than a month in the Andes, in places where I would have had to travel for several days to reach an eye clinic. Fortunately I had no problems with the eyes on that trip.

Regards . . . David

November 14, 2012 | David Astley

Hi, just come across this amazing website, have to say I feel quite a novice after reading some of your experiences. I'll keep it brief. Six months ago I suffered a retinal tear to my right eye, flashes and hundreds of black dots rushing around. i was sent immediately to my local eye casualty for examination and this was lasered within 4 hours. Great. I did some internet research and opinions do vary greatly, but it seems to be that I would be at a greater risk of it happening again in the other eye. I was told it was an aging process where the vitreous gel tugs at the retina, sometimes it comes away cleanly, sometimes causes a bleed and sometimes a tear, as with me.

Well now six months on I had the same symptoms in my left eye, nothing like as bad, but immediately went back to eye casualty. This time, fortunately, there had been a bleed only, no tear, again the gel tugging at the retina. My question is, will this keep happening, if so, for how long. I did ask the specialist registrar and was told that once the gel has come away it all settles down, and all should be well! My fear I guess, is what happens if I'm away on holiday etc and not just down the road from an eye clinic, what would I do in those circumstances? This all seems a bit tame compared to some of your stories I'm afraid, but I do travel quite a lot and am feeling somewhat reluctant now. Your comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

November 6, 2012 | Kathy

I am only 3 wks post surgery. I had cryopexy with a Bubble for a detached retina. I like how someone capitolized Bubble because it takes over your life. I still have mine and it interferes with everything I do. Like other writers, I also spent 2 weeks on the bed/couch with my head cocked at a specific angle. I didn't realize how important this was until much later because I didn't know much about Retinal detachments .Now I'm on the internet everyday researching it.

I got treated fairly quickly - within 48 hrs of seeing the "dark curtain" but I can't help think it should have been sooner. I first experienced the bright lights encircling my eye and a tremendous amount of floaters totally blurring my vision on the Saturday of a holiday week-end. I went to the covering ophtalmologist that afternoon but he couldn't see anything through all the junk in my eye. He pushed down on my eyeball in several places and looked behind it but said he thought it looked alright and to comeback on Thursday to follow-up. I scheduled it on Friday because I didn't want to take the day off from work. That was stupid! By Wednesday evening, I was beginning to see something like a shadow in the corner of my eye, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions and cry wolf. I should have called early Thursday and seen the dr. immediatley, but still I waited and went to work, even though I could barely see out of that eye! By that night I was scared. The dark shadow had become a black half circle moving closer to the center of my eye, I tried to see the Dr. early the next morning but the Receptionist said he had no openings until my appt at 2:30. I should have told her it was an emergency! Within 2 hrs of seeing the opthamologist, I was in the chair of a retinal specialist and having cryopexy followed by a gas bubble. I was very lucky. The "black shadow" only covered 20 % of my eye. If I had waitied any longer, I think it would have peeled off all the way to the macular. 

After reading all the symptoms and warning signals on the internet, I'm wondering why the first doctor didn't have me come back sooner for the recheck. Maybe I could have reduced the severity of the detachment... and the treatment. 

I returned to the Retinal specialist the next day, and everything seemed to be holding but he wanted to see me again in a few days. On that day, he said he wanted me to do a laser treatment the following week to reinforce the cryopexy. That was scary and I worried about it all week, but when he checked my eye, he said he didn't need to doit! The detachment was completely sealed by the scar tissue. I was told to come back in 2 weeks but no longer had to hold my head at 45 degrees; I could read, move around and use the computer...but no heavy lifting, bending or exercise. That sounded good at the time, but now I'm stuck at home with lilttle to do. I worry every time I empty the dishwasher or dryer! 

I see the doctor again in 2 days. I'm worried some of my symptoms may be re-occuring. I see spirals of light in the corner of the affected eye when I go to bed at night and my vision is still blurry. My eye also aches and feels heavy at times. This is so much more than I ever anticipated...and now I read that it's common to have recurring tears and for the other eye to be affected. At least now I will be an informed patient and get treatment in time. 

Thank-you for hosting this blog. It's been very helpful to read about other people's experiences.

October 2, 2012 | cora

Your experience mirrors mine except I didn't see flashes or light. I had partial sight. I had two detached retina's in the left eye within a six month period. I went through the same exact thing that you went through. My doctor also advised me to stay clear of altitude and airplanes. I ended up having numerous laser surgeries around 8 and also the Bubble. After a few months I had a cataract surgery. One eye is near sighted and one is far sighted. But I can see with both eyes very well, the left eye is very blurred. All has been going well for the past 11 years. Last year my doctor finally released me from a yearly visit to a visit every other year I thought I'm finally over this yearly thing with him. Yesterday I went to an eye doctor for my yearly eye exam for glasses and the left eyes pressure has jumped from 16 to 21. I've been putting off making an appointment with the retinal specialist. We just moved to this area and I was actually hoping to find a doctor next year. Tomorrow I'll start my search for a Retinal Specialist. Hopefully drops will help.

September 10, 2012 | Marie

Thank you so mch for the chronicle of your eye problems. I have just begun seeing little lightning flashes out of the side of my right eye...Your write-up convinced me to call my eye doctor first thing tomorrow morning...( today was the Labor Day holiday) I am supposed to fly from Denver to Bellingham ,Washington on Thursday...I will feel beter about what questions to ask after reading your experience . Hoping that you proceed with no new eye issues....Thanks again, Your photos are wonderful...I have been to China/ Japan / Mongolia and really loved seeing those places again through your lens!

September 4, 2012 | Virginia

Reply to Caroline:

Sorry to hear that you are one of those who have had a worse experience with a detached retina than most. I was VERY surprised to read your comment about asking your doctor what your chances were of having a detached retina in your second eye.("He said the odds were astronomical and that it rarely happens and I shouldn't worry.') That was contrary to the advice that I got from all the doctors that I consulted. They told me it was quite common for it to happen to the second eye. But when it does happen to the second eye, patients are aware of the symptoms and know to get treatment urgently - which is why the second eye often ends up being treated more easily than the first eye. Unfortunately you had a bad time with both eyes, but still your second eye fared a little better for the same reason (i.e. treatment was initiated earlier). 

The only consolation I can offer you from my own experience is that you do get used to the floaters, and after some years you really don't notice them (until someone asks you whether you still have floaters in your eye!). I also see flashes from time to time in both eyes - even after all these years (despite several doctors telling me they would disappear after six months).

September 2, 2012 | David Astley

Wow, what a blog! I thought no one had had as bad a time as I have had. 
September 2009 I mentioned to my optomatrist that I had been seeing "starbursts" in my left eye but only in the morning when I was waking up. Actually it was probably the only time I noticed them due to being in the dark. He sent me to an opthamologist who referred me to e St Louis Retinal Specialist named Dr Kevin Blinder. I swear the name is true! He completed a cryofreeze on the eye which closed the tiny holes and that lasted until September of 2010. One fateful day,I saw so many floaters that I thought it was a flock of birds in the sky. Much to my dismay my 9 year old daughter told me that NO Mom there are no birds. The next day, I walked back inside on a beautiful sunny day only to realize that the sun spot wasnt going away. I went straight to the Retinal Specialist who sent me to emergency surgery. I had the retina reattached and stitched. I spent 3 weeks sitting up in a recliner. When I went back for my followup, it was discovered that the stitching had not held. I again underwent surgery and had a sceral buckle placed and the gas bubble inserted for support.This meant 3 weeks face down. I was only allowed to lift my head every 4 hours for my eye drops. I spent another 5 weeks sitting up. After that, the progress was well enough that I could return to work and life! I saw the Dr every 3 months just to be safe. The vision in my left eye is now farsighted at a -7.50 where as before it used to be nearsighted at a +13.25. I can no longer read with that eye unless it is very large letters and everything I saw is wavy. I also have limited pheriphal vision on my left. During the second surgery the lens had to be removed due to scar tissue that was causing cataracts. My eye stays permanently dilated due to the damage. I asked the Dr what my chances were of this happening to my right eye. He said the odds were astronomical and that it rarely happens and I shouldn't worry.
This brings me to October 2011. I saw very minute flashes of lights in my RIGHT eye. I wasted no time and again made an appointment with Dr Blinder. I had hoped there was only a small tear that could be fixed by the Cryofreeze. Unfortunately he found a detached retina. A few days later I found myself in surgery again. For this eye we made the decision to go ahead with the sceral buckle with the gas bubble due to my previous experiences. Again I was face down for 4 weeks and another 5 sitting up. The frustration with this healing period was that I couldnt see very well out of my left eye. Even though I could sit up, I couldn't go anywhere by myself as I would bump into things and of course I couldn't drive.I also couldn't read or even see the numbers on my cell phone. My balance was such a mess that I had to use my hands to feel against the walls of my own home! 
After the gas bubble disappated, I was able to see with my right eye. Thankfully there was no damage to the macula so there are no wavy lines and I can see well enought to drive! I rely heavily on my right eye and am able to read, drive and work. My right eye is still nearsighted but for the worse at a +17. This means that without my contacts in I can read the serial number on my own contacts lens!
With all that said and done, with another fall season approaching, I find myself almost sick to my stomach. Three years running has seen me sitting inside my home and unable to see the beautiful chaning colors of the Midwest. However there is asilver lining to all of this. I found that neighbors are more than neighbors, acquaintances turn into be friends, and friends turn into be godsends. I went thru all of this as a a 36 year old widow and mom of a now 12 year old daughter and a 14 year old son. We all learned to appreciate the small things in life. I know that as I go to my follow up appointment on 9/5/12 I will be extremely anxious but I know that I am in good hands and that I have been thru this before. 
In my research and in talking with my retinal specialist, there is nothing proactive that can be done to prevent this. It can happen to anyone at any time. WIth my severe nearsightedness, It just happens to be in the smaller percentage that can have a detached retina and in the 5% that it can happen to both eyes. 
The really scary part is that I will always see floaters and still to this day see flashes of lights. I will see my retinal specialist at least every months for probably the rest of my life. 
If this has taught me anything, it is that I am blessed to have seen the face of my children, the sun set and the moon rise. I have to stay positive and count my blessings as there are some out there that have never seen colors at all! 
Thank you for sharing your story and I now feel so much less alone in the world when dealing with this.

August 22, 2012 | Caroline

Just a short thank you for your post on retinal detachment. I'm recovering from surgery now in Kumamoto, Japan and your information is really appreciated. I wrote about my experience (more in the context of dealing with a sudden hospitalization than with the find points of retinal detachment here

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kumamoto-i/message/12006

Looking forward to looking at your travel pics when I get home!

August 1, 2012 | joe tomei

Hi Don,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been traveling and wasn't checking my guestbook. I agree with Maggie that you shouldn't risk flying until the gas bubble has been absorbed. Mine took about three weeks to be completely absorbed, but I've heard of it taking longer. I guess it depends on how much gas is injected into the eye. So it looks like you'll have to postpone your flight to mid-August barring no further complications. Sounds like everything happened with the worst possible timing, but saving your eyesight has to be the first priority, and it sounds like your doctor has done that. In my blog I described the month that I had the gas bubble in my eye as the worst month of my life - and I expect that's exactly how you feel right now - but you'll feel a bit better every day from now on, just as the tens of thousands of other people who have been through this did. I'm sure you'll enjoy living in Australia. As Maggie said, the eye doctors there are first class and you will have no problems with your follow-up eye care.

July 25, 2012 | David Astley

Hi Don
I am in Perth, WA [where the sun shines all day!!]. Rest assured our doctors/hospitals are first class. We have a NHS called Medicare which has the same challenges as the NHS. We also have a private health system - HBF, BUPA which can cost up to $4,000 for a family per year - it is affordable but it has many tiers to it. I went to a private Dr on Tuesday morning, paid him $160 to find out I had a detached retina - he could operate on me privately the next day, but he operated on my eye 5 hours later at our general hospital as my macula was peeling apparently. Follow up care has been great.
I hope you recover quickly and can meet up with your wife soon. Keep positive :-)

July 21, 2012 | Maggie

Thankyou Maggie for your encouraging words, I can be quite selfless sometime, but I will definately not going to travel with a gas bubble in my eye, last thing I want is to cause a long term damage. I have been putting off having friends over last time it was detached, but for the few days, it shows how important they are. If you don't mind me asking, how are the ophthalmologist in oz? I will based around Geelong coast, vic. 

I do sincerely hope, if any one who unfortunate to have a retinal detachment, on a speedy recovery with no complication. 

Don

July 18, 2012 | Don

Hi Don, Sorry about your bad luck - but please don't despair. I live in Oz and had to arrive in the May for a job and my husband eventually got here in the September - some 27 years later we are still here and together. It'll all work out ok. Re your eye, only your surgeon can best direct you, but I do know if you fly before the gas has absorbed you will be in agony on the flight and possibly do more damage :- Trust me, 20 hours + on a flight isn't fun anyway. It may take 4-6 weeks before you can fly. Hang in there.
Maggie

July 17, 2012 | Maggie

Hi David,
ops done under general yesterday, good news only the sf6 gas, and 70% filled. My flight to oz is aug the 1st, its gonna be tight. So i was wondering , how after the gas has been dispersed before you can fly again.
Cheers

July 15, 2012 | don

Thanks for the informative blog, just what I needed today. 

I'm Don, 30, UK. I had a retina detachment in my right eye 7weeks ago, a day before I was due to migrate to Oz with my wife. I had a long lasting gas put into my eye. As my wife had a job lined up, I told her to head over to oz. it's difficult, Im missing greatly, even though we speak for hours everyday on Skype. I have my family and friends here. And Sam is on her own, feeling lonely even though she is making friends but it's not the same. 

I booked my flight to oz for the 1st aug, had my routine check up on last Friday and it was fine and retina stayed attached. On Saturday I starting to realise a white shadow looming in the top left corner of my eye. Which I though it could be the cataract. I contacted the doctor on Monday and he said it looked fine on Friday and not to worry. Now the white curtain has invaded to my centre vision. This morning I decided to go and have it checked. And it was bad news, another detachment. Not what I want to hear. I need to go back in tomorrow and have another op in the morning, under GA. I don't think I can cope with another few months from my wife! She have rental and shipping to deal with if she come back. I just don't know what to do. :( 

Don

July 12, 2012 | Don

Additional comment for Sunil: I expect you have already been advised of this, but weight-lifting is an absolute no-no after a detached retina. One of my doctors told me I should not try lifting anything heavier than 20 kg otherwise I risk another retinal tear. So when I am traveling I always keep my bags to less than 20 kg. If ever I have to travel with anything that is heavier, I get someone else to lift it for me. Cycling should not a problem.

June 22, 2012 | David Astley

Reply to Sunil: If the dots are very small (like pepper specks) then yes, they will go away, because my eye surgeon told me they were blood specks which will eventually be absorbed into the eye. Larger floaters may stay there a lot longer. Unfortunately the sensation of looking through a glass of water does not go away (at least not in my case). It is nine years since my detached retina and I still have that sensation. However, you do get used to it , and nowadays I am only conscious of it when somebody mentions it or I do an eye test (when the letters on the chart are wavy because of that 'looking through water' sensation).

June 22, 2012 | David Astley

Reply to Keith: The light flashes are not across the whole field of vision. They are bright pin points of light. For me the light always moved around the outside of the field of vision (in less than a second).

June 22, 2012 | David Astley

Hi,

Great Information on Retinal detachment....and great pictures in the other areas of the site ass well. 

I had retinal detachment surgery last year in my right eye. I lost 50% of my vision with a black drape over my right eye. I had the surgery done in Japan as this is where I live. I ended up with a gas bubble inserted in my right eye and had to lay on my stomach and side for 3 weeks. My vision has not fully returned, in fact when looking with my right eye only it looks as if you are looking through a glass of water. I do not think that the vision will fully return in this eye. 
Las week tuesday I was getting a check eye checkup and 3 tears were detected in my good left eye. I went under laser surgery on friday. I still have the same symptoms.....little black dots everywhere and a small dark area at the right most area of my vision and overall my vision is unchanged. 
Will the dots go away after several weeks? Not sure. 

I workout pretty heavily and am into weightlifting and typically do curls with 25kilos and heavy bench presses. Also am into long distance cycling - 100 km per day or more - and it looks like I will need to ease up on most of these types of activities. I also travel a lot with my job but given the amount of travel David does it looks like that might be less of a problem. 

Anyways good luck to you all and hopefully things will clear up. I continue to worry about this and wonder if there is anything I can do to prevent this. I am only 49 years old which seems young for this type of thing to happen. Any thoughts or comments would be great.

thanks........sunil

June 17, 2012 | Sunil

problem started about 5/16/12- i will be 71 in october. had a partial tear in my left eye . over the years i have read about eye problems because of my floaters. as soon as i saw the flashing light and a dark shadow on the outside of the eye,, i knew i had a problem. went immed to the retinal specialist who confirmed my fear. IV injected, gas bubble was injected, and for a week , 20 minutes out of every hour ( 24/7 ) i had to lie on my stomach., not on my back. looking thru the gas bubble ,the gas makes it look like your eyeball is full of water, complete with little waves and slushes as you walk around or move your head. it is very important that you follow directions without question. laying on my stomach is necessary because it forces the gas bubble to the back of the eyeball. i guess the gas helps in the mending process. i feel the one month layoff was necessary as the alternative is not good. i see the doctor again on 6/20/12, if he tells me to wait another 2 weeks before running, i will add 2 more weeks. i play a lot of softball, which requires a lot of running. the running will jar the eyeball, which may tear the retina tissue again. but as of now , one month after the problem surfaced, my vision is back pretty good, just to need to make sure that the mending holds and that my other eyeball hangs on to the retina tissue. TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES, DONT TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED. BLINDNESS IN ONE EYE, DESTROYS AND AFFECTS EVERYTHING YOU DO. GOOD LUCK ! FRANK A. DALLAS, TEXAS, USA .

June 17, 2012 | f armijo

I, thankfully, had the laser surgery to correct a hole and a tear that were working their way around the retina. The light you describe is exactly what I saw. It was almost as if someone took a pen light and wiggled it around my left peripheral vision field. The light lasted maybe a second. It appeared in light and dark rooms. For a day or so, I was convinced I was in for the migraine of my life, but it didn't come. I was a sophomore in college, played no sports, and had not taken any blows or trauma to the head. The doctors were all surprised, as I was not the typical patient. My doctor was able to get me in--three months from then...that was until I mentioned the symptoms. An appointment opened up that day. Funny you mentioned it, I was also sent from one doctor to the surgeon's office without stopping to pay. I still get nervous every time I see a floater or a flashing light.

June 8, 2012 | EP

When people mention seeing "light flashes"
- is it a light flash which affects the entire field of vision?
- is it small dots of light?
What I'm seeing occasionally is a bright dot of light which moves across my field of vision then disappears in half a second.

During my search, I found this research institute which has useful concise info:
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/

May 23, 2012 | keith

Hi David
Many thanks for replying and reassuring me - you have travelled extensively so should know. I know every eye is different but being at the end of the earth being stuck in an aircraft for at least 10 hours with an 'exploding' eye scared me a bit! 
Best wishes,
Maggie

April 29, 2012 | Maggie

Reply to Karen:

My understanding is that if a detached retina is not treated immediately, the resulting blindness becomes permanent after just a few days. But best you check with a qualified eye doctor.

April 29, 2012 | David Astley

Reply to Maggie:

I did a lot of long haul flying after my retinal surgery and never had any problems. And I've never heard of anyone else having problems in pressurised aircraft.

Hope that helps to reassure you!

April 29, 2012 | David Astley

Hi Natalie. I hope you can see this post. I just wanted to comment on the flashing lights you said you had after surgery. Im 6 months post-surgery, after 4 surgeries in my left eye for a retinal detachment. I have even had a Vitrectomy, and that means no vitreous jelly left, and i still have flashing lights, so thats a little weird. Especially since they say its a vitreous-thing. I have asked my doctors, but they all give me some half-ass answers. They might as well told me they didn't know what it was. Im hoping all is well with you now, and you David.

Great blog by the way!

Kenni :-)

April 25, 2012 | Kenni Pedersen

Hello
Great site & very helpful info. I've just had extensive surgery for a detached retina [3 wks ago]. Has anyone travelled long haul post surgery - eg 10 hour plus flight [Australia to England] and did they experience any problems or pain. I've had to cancel my holiday for May but thinking of travelling to the UK from Oz in September - bit worried as I've heard a few stories about 'eye felt like it was going to explode etc'!
Many thanks for any info.
Maggie

April 19, 2012 | Maggie

hey david! thanks for sharing your story and i'm glad you were able to overcome the many obstacles and complications you experienced.

this is kind of a long shot, but i thought i would ask anyway. a friend of mine has both of his retinas detached (he didn't have the means/opportunity for urgent surgery). so, he's been blind for about 7 years now. is there any therapy or possibility for him even to regain a little sight?

thanks!

April 13, 2012 | karen

Hi Natalie,

No, I don't believe you are being a drama queen wanting to go back and get your eyes checked out again. You should do that anytime you feel something is not right. I go for a retinal check-up any time I feel I am seeing more floaters or flashing lights than usual. Most times there is no problem, but as I know from past experience that sometimes there IS a problem, it is not worth risking more serious problems developing undetected for the sake of a retinal check-up. In fact I had a check-up last week after seeing more flashing lights than usual in my right eye. Fortunately there was no problem. The doctor just told me the vitreous detachment in that eye was still in an active phase. I always laugh when they tell me that because back in 2006 an eye doctor told me that it takes about 6 months for the vitreous jelly to detach from the retina. When I went back 12 months later after seeing flashing lights, he said "Well with some people it can take a year or more - but maximum 18 months". So here I am 6 years later and the vitreous jelly has still not fully detached. So it's not that odd that you are still seeing flashing lights a year on.

Cheers . . . David

April 12, 2012 | David Astley

I had cryo surgery this time last year after experiencing a LOT of black flashing (pharmacist told me I had recurrent migraines). I lost my glasses, went for an eye test and low and behold, a retinal tear! I had two sessions of laser which didn't work and then a session of cryo which I was told a month later had worked successfully!

However, a year on I'm now seeing a flashing light which moves around my eye for a few seconds before fading the the occassional black flashing spots. I'm only 22 and only -2.25, am I being a drama queen if I go back again to get this checked out?

A month after my cryo, I felt patronised when I asked why I was still seeing the lights but I guess that was a month after surgery. A year on, it seems a bit odd considering I never saw lights and now I am...?

April 11, 2012 | Natalie

David, thank you for your excellent blog. I have not had a retinal detachment but I did have a retinal tear repaired with an argon green laser, I'm still being followed for that. I had the increase in floaters followed by flashing liights, and although I was not entirely sure what was happening, I knew I needed to see my ophthalmologist, I had lattice degeneration and PVD. Indeed, it is a medical emergency. The only comment I wanted to make about the laser treatments is that they did not need to hurt. Actually, there are local anesthetics that could have been injected in your eye to make you more comfortable, or you could have been given medication to help you relax. You should never have been told to sit on a chair with casters, that probably would not have happened in the US, the chair I sat in was attached to the floor and would not move. Regardless, thank you so much for sharing and making more people aware of retinal tears and detachment.

April 10, 2012 | Anonymous

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this on the internet.
I just started seeing the black SPOTS and new floaters yesterday afternoon.
This morning driving to work at 6 am (still dark outside) I saw the flashing lights on the left periphery of my left eye. 
I picked my daughter up from school (13) and asked her to google "why am I seeing black spots in my vision" and your website came up. I had absolutely no idea what those PEPPER SPOTS could be. But within 3 minutes of her reading your website, I was calling my eye dr with an emergency call to be seen in the morning.
Thank you very much and to all the people that have posted to your site.
You may have saved me tremendous pain and even my eye sight!
Thank each and every one of you.
Lisa

March 30, 2012 | Lisa

I just wanted today thank you for this, I am 22 and have just been through the horror of a detached retina. Like you I ignored the warning signs an by the time I acted it was too late, I had a large detachment effecting the macula. I had emergency surgery under local anaesthetic to attach a buckle.... 2 weeks later I was having another operation as there was still a pool of fluid pushing the retina away. I had a circumpheral buckle put on under local and cryo to weld it all together. You think the first op hurts, try the second one over scar tissue! Another 2 weeks passed and I was in again for laser on my other eye to repair holes, I love your description of it and had to laugh (and cringe) remembering that pain again! I am now 2 months post surgery, my sight in the right eye is rubbish, but it's sight and I'm greatfull. I don't think this will be it for my eye problems but I will face them when it comes. Thank so much =)

March 14, 2012 | Charlie

Hello, David and everyone, Thank you so much for sharing your stories. I'm myopic 1.0 and wearing glasses for around 12 years now. I recently went for my aviation medical examination and the doctor found some holes and tears in both eyes. He asked me to do laser immediately and within a week I did my laser which had the same pricking pain like David's. It's almost 3 months now and I am starting to see some floaters at bright conditions.and flashes 2-3 times a day. I'm going to.consult my doctor soon..It terrifies me everytime I think of an eye surgery like what David went through. Fingers Crossed!

February 20, 2012 | Nawaf

Dear David,
Really helpful site. My experience.
I had myopic shift (2009) which is worsening of vision rapidly. From -3.5 to -6.5 in 1year.
Followed by cataract surgery complicated but highly successful.
Almost 12 mths later Nov 2011 flashes of light in rt eye told I have Posterior vitreoue detachment and not to worry.
Come 25th Dec 2011 rt eye upper vision got affected. Seen 3 days later 28th Dec 2011. I was told I have RD with macula off which is the sensory part of the vision.
Had surgery on the 30th Dec 2011. This included
1)Cryo + Laser
2)Vitrectomy
3)Gas (long acting)
4)Scleral Buckal

Its now 30days since operation.
I am starting to see at the upper end of my visual field.
I am keeping the pirates patch on since the vision is very strange with the left eye being normal.
Their is a now a central wobbly structure which is slowly disappearing.
I did keep my head in a certain position but my surgeon was relaxed about it.

I hope this is the end of the problems but I have been told of all the complications that can happen.
Are their people who just have one procedure and remain well?

Ayub
in UK

January 31, 2012 | w ayub

I read your entire post about your retinal detachment and I found it really interesting. I am currently experiencing those floaters and flashes in my eyes and my ophthalmologist says I have a posterior vitreous detachment in my right eye. I also have glaucoma and an inflammatory condition called occular sarcoidosis. I am praying that my PVD will not cause any complications with my retina as I don't think I could bear someone going at my eye while I was awake. Thank you for sharing your story with us and good luck with your eyes.

January 26, 2012 | Robert 

Hi everyone, while doing some research online about my condition I ran into this wonderful place. I have to say that the minute that I started reading your story I couldn't help but to think of my own story. My nightmare began 06/06/06 (creepy date huh?) well that day I woke up at around 2am and noticed that I couldn't see anything out of my right eye.I didn't think anything of it because there was no pain or other symptom that seemed alarming. I went to work that morning and tried calling several Dr's but no one had room to see me so they just kept on telling me to go to the er. At that time I lived in Miami where luckily, I was 10 miles away from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (which is number one in the country) but I really didn't feel like going to the er. The thing that I didnt understood then was that Bascom Palmer has an emergency room for eye problems, so me not knowing that I kept looking for a Dr with no luck. Then I remembered that a friend of mine was going to medical school for opthalmology and was doing an internship with a retina specialist in another hospital in Miami. Thank God I was able to reach him and after telling him my sysmptoms the only thing he said was "ok Debbie let me call you back in 5 minutes" but his voice sounded as if he was scared. A few minutes later he calls me and tells me that the Dr that he was working for then had agreed to see me given that it was a genuine medical emergency. I was still confused as how it was an emergency but by the time I got to see the Dr that day at 3pm, I understood that things were not well. The Dr told me that I had to have surgery within two days making the surgery day, my then 26 birthday. I can never forget that day. It was the worst bday present life has given me thusfar. They did a scleral buckle procedure that turned into failure within 2 weeks. I had to fly my mom to Miami to help me, and I remember like it was yesterday, taking my mom to the airport for her to go back home and as she left my dad called me. When he asked me how my eye was, I closed my left eye and again I realized it was detached again... the problem now was that the dr that did the 1st procedure had gone to Hawaii on vacation and was refered to Bascom Palmer's ER. So I went and inmediately after that I had surgery with the man whom these days I consider very dear to my heart. During my second surgery they did the gas bubble and had me in the face down position for 3 weeks. That was a very challenging time for me and my mom who was there with me always. So the gas bubble didnt work either, and now we are in detachment #3. Then they did the silicone oil and then I had surgery to take out the oil, they also did cataract surgery and implant a lense in my eye since mine was no good. I remember the day after my first surgery I thought my vision was gonna be the same, but it wasnt. I had then been diagnosed with macular degeneration which will prevent me from having my vision, if anything is just getting worse. 4 years after the last surgery I went to see my Dr in Miami because since then I had relocated to Washington DC and was refered to a Dr in Johns Hopkins for follow ups every 6 months. I moved back to Fl and when I saw Dr Murray 4 years after he had treated me, he was very concerned that my eyes have deteriorated a lot. I am undergoing a series of injections every 2 months because there is a lot of swelling in the eye that can lead to another detachment. To make matters worse, I have been diagnosed with lattice degeneration in the left eye and the Dr is not confident as for how long the retina will be attached. He has mentioned that preventive surgery in the left eye will not be consider a good idea, given the likelyhood of the odds of the right retina detaching 3 consecutive times, so it clearly isn't so receptive. I say if it isn't broken dont fix it, but I live in constant fear for waking up like I did that 06/06/06...I hate that day... I have been an advocate for eye health and I'm glad to know that science is so advanced. I remember during my follow ups after surgery, there would be students using my case as a learning tool, which I really dont mind. I really do feel ready to take upon the challenges that life will bring me should anything happen with my left eye, but I have confidence in God that he will give me an opportunity to continue dealing with one eye only. I admire anyone that has gone through this and I think it is important for people to learn about these problems because like you, I was totally unaware of what a retina was until of course that summer day on 06/06/06.

January 14, 2012 | Debbie Jones

Hi David, 

I wanted to give you a follow-up on my experience reported above. In early December of 2011 I experienced a weird fluttering in my LEFT eye in a low-light situation at work, and thought, oh no not again, then the next day noticed with alarm that my vision in that eye had become obscured by a ring of black. I went back to my clinic and was told that my left eye was now undergoing vitreous separation, and what I was seeing was blood inside the eye, which was, she said, good news in that it would be reabsorbed. I said, there's a retinal tear, I can tell, no I don't see it, she said. I said, well I'm not leaving until you find it. After 10 minutes she said, aha, there it is, and I had laser on that retina as well. Meanwhile my right eye has mostly cleared, no floaters at all now, but I still experience some fuzziness in my central field of vision in the right eye. The left eye
has healed well, the ring of black is going away. She said, the good news is you are not going blind, so that is something. I did not find the second surgery to hurt as much, but it was also a much smaller tear so the laser was only pulsed a dozen times instead of the right eye which had 10 minutes of laser. I am hopeful things will clear up. I appreciate your blog, because there just aren't that many resources out there for those of us experiencing these things. I thank whatever gods there may be that my experience was nothing like B's. Thanks for your time, David - here is to good health and recovery for all.

January 2, 2012 | T Hartwig

I thought I was lucky with my experience of a detached retna but after reading this blog with not just your experience but others as well, I know KNOW how lucky I was. My detachment occurred on a Friday night while reading a magazine. It was like the pages shifted.....I really can't quite explain it. I was at our cottage and didn't want to have to go back in to the city so I waited until Monday to go see the eye Dr. What I did do right away though was shut my left eye and bring my left hand around and couldn't see my finger until it was past my nose and right in front of the right eye. Unlike many postings I didn't experience the flash of lite or the spot/floaters. When I called to make my apt. My Dr was working out of his other office so Ken called over and called me back saying the Dr's first apt is at noon, he'll see you at 11:45. I arrived at the mall at 11:15, just as the Dr was walking in. I said, "oh Dr. Yale, just the man I'mgoint to see in half an hour, and he said no, just the person you're going to see right now". That's when I thought okay, this may be something serious!!
I was seen by a surgeon at 2:00 that afternoon and on the operating table at 5:30 pm the next day, and because I have asthma, stayed overnight and was home onWednesday morning by 10:00 am. The surgeon put what is referred to as a "buckle" on the eye and there was no need for gas. I received some good advise from a friend who had eye surgery and that was....don't wait for the pain to take the pain pills...if it says take every 4 hours, take it every 4 hrs. He said nothing compares to the pain that you feel in yor eye after surgery, and he was right. I pushed it once and once only. In spring of 2009 I had a second operation on the eye to peel scar tissue off the eye that was greatly affecting my ability to read out of that eye and I am now experiencing the development of a cataract in the eye that in a very short time took the vision from -7.5 to -9.5. I have the utmost faith and trust in Dr. Yale and he will monitor it again in 6 months. If there is further change he will refer me back to the surgeon, who I also trust, to determine what we do next. I know that my story may not be the norm, but I wanted to share it so that those coping with a detached retna see that it isn't always necessary for the gas procedure and limited mobility. The funny thing was the whole time I was dealing with this my attitude was "oh we'll, at least I have another eye if things don't go well, lots of people live with site in just one eye". .....but I'm very happy that isn't something I had to learn to adjust to. At least not yet.

January 2, 2012 | Jean Gendron

Thank you so much for your story. I'm in the high-risk group and such an informative and detailed account is so very much appreciated.

December 10, 2011 | Clinton Dawkins

David, Thanks so much for your story! I worry about detached retina and glaucoma both; I've had lasik surgery to correct my extreme near sightedness and I'm now over 50:) My pressures have always been normal but today I woke up with 'sparkles' around my left eye that faded in a few minutes, no increase in floaters or permanent black spots. I'll schedule an eye appointment anyway.

You blessed me,
~g.~

November 20, 2011 | Gia Frank

Hi David, thanks for this post. I started experiencing vitreous separation in June of this year, 2011, and finally had the laser eye surgery this past Oct 21, 2011. I asked if it would hurt. Oh no, said the doctor. LIAR. My gods, if I'd had some warning...... that really hurt, I said, is it going to hurt tomorrow? Oh no I was told. Well... it's day 3 and it still hurts. It feels exactly like the back of my eye got welded. I don't have the words.

I don't know if the procedure was successful or not as my vision in that eye is now cloudy (it wasn't before) and I am still experiencing flashes.

Anyway the reason I am commenting is because you describe a similar experience with talent. Also, I somehow feel reassured upon reading your post, it helps to know it's a road too unfortunately often traveled.....I hope your eye problems are over.

Thank you for this well-written article.

October 24, 2011 | T Hartwig

thanks for sharing your story. I have just had two laser surgeries for retinal tears in the past few days and am hoping it does progress to detachment. Going back to dr. tomorrow. Please pray for me. thanks.

October 24, 2011 | Steve

Yes, I had a detached retina as well. Mine was bad. Totally detached. 

I was totally blind in my eye for 5 days before I had the operation. It took 10 weeks for the gas bubble to dissolve and I only have a few slight blemishes in my vision 6 months later.

I just count myself as extremely lucky.

September 8, 2011 | Ian

Since 2005 when I posted the story of my retinal detachment on this website, many people have left comments on their own experiences with a detached retina in this guestbook. This guestbook has thus become a kind of resource for people who have suffered detached retinas and found it helpful to browse through and read some of the experiences of others who have been through the same trauma.

Therefore, knowing that many people who read this guestbook are doing so to seek reassurance about what they may expect to happen in the future after suffering a detached retina, I should caution that the post below by a contributor who has signed off only as “B” is not a typical experience.

Aside from going completely blind (which is the consequence of not getting treatment for a detached retina), B’s experience could be described as a worst case scenario. I make this point only so that readers who have recently suffered a detached retina do not become overly alarmed upon reading the post below. Whilst I am saddened to read about the terrible experiences that B is going through – and I hope that he or she will see some improvement after the consultation with the neurological ophthalmologist – these are experiences that only a very small number of people go through.

But B’s experience does highlight how serious a detached retina is and how important it is to respond to the symptoms of a detached retina as a medical emergency and seek immediate treatment. If it is the middle of the night, or on a weekend, don’t wait for the next working day to make an appointment to see an eye specialist – go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. A few hours saved getting treatment can make the difference between successful recovery – which is fortunately what most people experience – or a detached retina turning life into a living hell, which is unfortunately what B is experiencing.

August 26, 2011 | David Astley

3 1/2 years ago, I had a horsehoe tear (almost detached) for two weeks. Didn't know to get it seen because the floaters didn't hurt. Neither did the flashing light. No one tells you that it is an emergency. At eye exams, they just say, do you see ___? If not, they say good. The laser to try to repair it. Felt like the inside of my head was sizzling and being destroyed. Several weeks later, it detached. Two thirds of what I saw was absolutely black, There was a narrow slit left where I could see. While the retina surgeon saved my eye- vitrectomy and buckle- (and another surgeon for cataract and follow-up cataract surgery), I have been living in hell for 3 1/2 years. I am told my eye never adjusted to the buckle. It IS as if i have been punched in the face, and the eye and surrounding area hurt and feel pressure and feel swollen. It feels as if a thick glass bowl is in my eye/head and it hurts all the time, and sometimes there is a stabbing feeling, and as if I am looking all the time through a thick glass curve like you see at the aquarium. It is exhausting, scary, and depressing. What I see drives me crazy. I can never get away from this nightmare. I will never commit suicide, but that is the way it makes you feel, and even as you say Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! to everything with which you are constantly obsessing because it takes up all your time and energy, that is all you can do . I cannot get out of the car and put the keys away. I cannot let go of the keys. I am gripped with fear. I have tried. Too often, it ends up with this and other sequences, I try 3 times, and can't go through with it. I get out of the car, close the car door, and walk across a parking lot into a store as if everything is normal. It is not. I am gripped with a tightened knot in my stomach and facing the distortion I see all the time. Out of sight out of mind. So so many things are forgotten. I am off-balance. I can stand on my "tip-toes" - that is not the issue- it is the terrible feeling that wells up inside from what I see that creates the gripping anxiety and panic. I hide all of this. Not sure what or where a center of balance is. Going into stores, driving- it is all a nightmare, but I fight my way through and do it. It is beyond being on a sickening ride at the fair and not being able to get off that ride. At the fair, the ride is over there, and you can get off and leave it. It is to have that ride and effects in your head and stomach all the time. I am scheduled to see a neurological ophthalmologist. Don't know what he can do, but the appointment was made because I suffer all the symptoms of Alzheimer's. I am confused, but hide it well. I have forgotten words and don't spell well, both of which were part of my expertise, and have no immediate term memory. If something is out of sight, I don't remember that I touched it, picked it up, was handed an item, or did something. It isn't the usual occurrence that happens every now and then to all of us. It is ALL THE TIME, WITH EVERYTHING. I do everything but am living a nightmare. I look normal and am panicked all the time. Everything that we automatically do in a certain order, I have to question. Everything that was automatic is now confusing. Days of the week, month; I make appointments on the same day and have to struggle through realizing that I made two appointments on the same day, overlapping times. I bump into things, and sometimes drop things. Not sure where I am stepping. Wavy and zig ag lines, a shiny mismash of - what- vessels at the bottom - pulsate like a heartbeat, part of the retina is gone so it is black in one corner. Going from light to dark and to light is blinding and awful. Fluttering image like the rapid wings of a butterfly. Looking a person in the eye makes me want to scream and run away - holding the eye contact is so overwhelming and unbearable. Not even sure where my body is relative to the world around me. I feel weighted down, and getting up is a struggle. Moving an item from one place to another feels like it is very heavy and takes an eternity. The feeling of panic, anxiety, and despair are constant with the overwhelming feeling within my stomach that feels like a constant welling up of fear. I cry all the time, and try to pull myself together to go to work. 3 1/2 years.... I believe that had I known to go in right away, my eye and my life would have been saved from this torture and nightmare. You can't image how much i had to go over this to make corrections of mistakes that I never would have made prior to the retina disaster.

August 9, 2011 | B

HI David,

When I read your article about your retina problems, I can't help but to reflect on my own experience with retina detachment. I first found out I had retina problems when I saw flashing lights and multi coloured lines back in 2000. The leading government eye hospital in KL diagnosed me to be having a large retina tear on my right eye. Maybe its my bad luck or just karma-I had some friends in the medical fraternity and was undecided whose opinion to take. One eye doctor friend told me the operation was simple and the senior consultant that operated on me was competent, while another fertility doctor friend said the only retina surgeon that could do this operation in Malaysia was Dr Sheshan Lim. Naturally, I took the eye doctor friend's advice and it turned out disastrously. After operating for the torn retina, within 2 weeks, the vision was impaired again and I asked the consultant why. He was flipping through my patient's notes and maybe it was intuition, I knew at that moment he could not fix my problem which has now turned more serious-I now have retina detachment. I surfed the net and found out about Singapore National Eye Centre. I sent them a mail and they recommended me to contact Dr Ong Sze Guan, the retina surgeon and Director of Training and Education then. Dr Ong tried various ways to fix this problems-I had laser welding done-it was so painful that tears rolled out. I had 3 surgeries, first time with gas implant into the right eye-it failed to work. Second time was with silicone oil implant and third operation, to remove the silicone oil from the eye. So all in all, I had 4 surgeries from year 2000 till 2003. Now fast forward to 2011, there has been no developments on the right eye which is a good thing, I am having blurred vision as the lense has been taken out but the eye is stil intact. The upper vision is slightly blurred as if there is a small curtain covering the eye. Other than that, the eye is healthy and I am waiting for new technology that could restore my vision. I have learned to live with double vision but otherwise all is well. Last year I had cataract done on my left eye in Singapore and now I do not need glasses. However, I still go back to Singapore twice a year for check-ups to determine if the 2 eyes are ok. 

I made a costly mistake by choosing the wrong doctor. The period of 2000-2003 was one of the most traumatic periods of my life-my marriage failed, I could not concentrate on my business and it too failed, plus the trauma and uncertainty not knowing whether my eye will turn blind...luckily, I had tremendous confidence in my ability to rise again and my family was there to help me pull through.

Someone should start a retina detachment support group in Malaysia and I would be pleased to lend my support.

Rgds
Peter Tan

May 11, 2011 | Peter Tan

Hello David,

I recently underwent surgery for a retinal detachment that had reached the point where I needed emergency treatment and a full vitroectomy, as the retina was separating from the macula. My condition began slowly with the appearance of a curved discolouration in the lower left of my field of vision in the left eye, however it was incorrectly diagnosed as a floater by my optician and I did not seek expert opinion until several weeks later when it very rapidly spread across my field of vision. Fortunately at that point my wife insisted on taking me to the local hospital where the detachment was diagnosed - I was referred to an opthalmic surgeon and underwent surgery the next day.

It's now two weeks later and the eye is healing well, with only a little surface irritation. The gas bubble has decreased by about 75% but still causes some distraction. I can, however, now see that although my vision in that eye will be clear and colour sight good, shapes are quite distorted, and I suspect this will be a permanent condition.

I found your website whilst looking for information about the condition and its treatment, and I wanted to thank you for sharing in detail your experiences. I was particularly relieved to read that you have been able to adapt to "mismatched" vision, as it gives me hope that I will also learn to accept and deal with this deficiency.

Healthy vision is so precious, but we take it for granted until it is disrupted. I hope others will take heed of your experience and understand that early diagnosis and treatment are absolutely crucial.

Regards
Tony

August 8, 2010 | Anthony Green

David

Thanks for the info on retinal problems on your website. After being diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy last year now left with smal"scar" over maucal on L/eye my consultant, after 9 months noticed in the R/eye a 1mm hole which no flyid, but had appeared sealled - 2 weeks of worry and back and all the floaters and everything for years were explained as you say. No change after 2 weeks but it looks like the 1mm hole had sealed itself and could have been there for years. Still see all the small(blood) floaters and the few spidery ones but hope itll be fine. Never had flashing lights just saw stars after coughing twice!

best regards

Bruce

February 26, 2010 | B Webster

Thanks for the reading on your retinal detachments. I am recovering from having had a retina detachment 2 weeks ago and your description of your experience has been quite infomative. Great pictures!

February 14, 2010 | Lynn in Honolulu

Thanks David. That all helped me to get some perspective on whats happening to me right now. 
Good luck to you
Peter

January 4, 2010 | Peter wright

I have just read your account of your retina detachments.
I experienced a retina tear in my left eye in 2004 at age 55. It was quickly repaired by laser treatment.
In 2005 I had a retina detachment in the same eye. This was fixed in emergency surgery. The surgeon did a vitrectomy and inserted a gas bubble. He even did cataract repair/lens implant while he was at it. All this while conscious, albeit sedated. I didn't see any needles, etc as my face was covered and the left eye's optic nerve blocked by local anaethetic. The patch was off within 24 hours and I was driving within a week. The gas dissipated within 8 weeks. My recovery was 100% and my eyesight improved.
This year, in May 2009, I had cataract surgery in my right eye at age 60. That went well, but three weeks later June 4, 2009, I experienced the symptoms of retina detachment in that eye. I was operated on within 24 hours. Same surgical format, same surgeon. The gas bubble is still dissipating as I write this, but the surgery again has been deemed 100% successful.
Hopefully people will read your experiences and learn the symptoms of retina detachment before its too late. Flashing lights, floaters, near-sightedness, cataract surgery, are all risks and indicators of retina detachment.
Rob Thompson
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

August 3, 2009 | Rob Thompson

Thanks for taking the time to write about your experience. I found it very helpful. I just had the freezing, bubble and laser for my retina two days ago.

June 6, 2009 | Kristin

Hi David,
My Spanish partner has had two retinal tears in a month and was lasered back together again. We have found it hard work getting information and a prognosis from his doctor here in Spain so discovering your website was indeed a great find. Obviously each person is unique and their experience with this problem is too, but I just wanted to thank you for going to the trouble of posting what you went through. Your story was tremendously helpful and positive, despite all the problems you encountered and we sincerely hope that you continue in good health.

May 27, 2009 | Suzan

Hi David,
Thanks so much for your info on retinal detachment. Like others I met at Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency, I had no idea of the seriousness of a blurry eye with a few flashes, until my retina detached. I'm now recovering from my second op which included a vitrectomy and after 4 weeks and 2 gas bubbles can finally walk around for more than 5 minutes at a time! What a great reminder of how much we all take for granted in our lives, and how vulnerable we are. Thanks also for the remainder of your website that I found fascinating. Best wishes, Clare from Sydney.

April 1, 2009 | Clare

Hi Helena,

If you refer to the 6th paragraph under the sub-heading 'Update January 2006' in my Detached Retina story, you will see some references to the differing opinions of doctors about flying after suffering a detached retina.

To answer your question specifically, yes, I am still doing a lot of flying and it hasn't caused me any problems in the last three years.

Cheers . . . David

March 12, 2009 | David Astley

Hi,
I read your story about the retina detachment. I went through the same thing 3 times and didn't fly since because I am scared. Are you flying and yoyu are doing okay?
Thanks
Helena

March 6, 2009 | helena

Hi David - 

Great info on your detached retina experience. I too had a detached retina in my right eye in late 1997. I had the laser welding done - I thought it felt like someone jamming a knitting needle into the back of your head! Luckily nothing major has happened since.

My vision recovered pretty well, although not totally, and I get the wavy disruption to straight lines too - looking at a sheet of graph paper reminds me every time.

We are so lucky to have retained our vision, and those who have 20/20 sight have no idea how lucky they are to see the world with such clarity.

Hope your eyes remain well,

Rick Burlow
Magellan Mine Site
Western Australia

June 10, 2008 | Rick Burlow

Hi Kath,

I'm surprised that your consultant told you he/she is not certain what causes the flashing in your eye. The eye surgeons that have operated on my eyes have all told me that it is caused by the vitreous jelly pulling on the retina - so I didn't think there was any doubt about what causes the flashing. In fact, it is that action of the vitreous jelly pulling on the retina that causes the detachment in the first place, which is why a retinal detachment is usually accompanied by flashing in the eye.

Yes, it should settle in time, once the vitreous jelly has fully detached from the retina. One eye doctor told me that shouldn't take more than 6-8 weeks, but I still have flashing in my right eye more than two years after the vitreous detachment started in that eye, so for some people it can last a lot longer.

Regards . . . David

April 25, 2008 | David Astley

Hi David,

Many thanks for posting your story re. your retina traumas. It serves as a fantastic warning to anyone that if they ever experience a black curtain or strange light flashes within their eye/s to get themselves straight to casualty. Until it happened to me I didn't realise just how much I took my eyesight for granted and how frightening it is to think about the possibility of losing your sight. I came across your story whilst searching on the internet for some support after recently having the "buckle" op for my detached retina. Like yourself, I still get a lot of flashing in the eye which really freaks me out at times. My Consultant says that it will hopefully settle in time although they are not certain why it happens but think that it may be as a result of the brain getting confused! I wish you all the very best for the future and hope that your eye traumas are now well and truly over. Thanks again.

April 1, 2008 | Kath

Hi David , having just experienced a retinal tear ,myself , along with all the symptoms and laser treatments, as described by you ,I found it strangely comforting to know that others have had the same problems and worrying moments as I have .Thanks for sharing it with us . Best regards Geoff Hickling Kiama Australia

March 9, 2008 | Geoff Hickling

David- Thank you for the posting /article about your detached retina experience. I am very near sighted (-10) and need cataract surgery soon... This increases the chances of a detached retina to about 6% (I have heard). Your article was very helpful in understanding what to expect if this should happen.
Anna

November 21, 2007 | anna

David, 
Thanks for your excellent description of the treatment for detached retinas. I suffered a torn retina in December 2006, but the symptoms were so dramatic (brown streaks in my field of vision) that I saw the eye doctor soon after. I had two laser treatments in that eye and so far, so good. Just this past Monday I had to have laser surgery on my right eye. This time the symptoms were not as dramatic and I'd had a retina tear but didn't know it. When I saw the zillions of black dots in my field of vision I saw the retina specialist that day and had laser surgery. The only concern is that a lot of fluid collected behind the tear so it is actually partially detached, and it has to be watched to be sure the fluid goes down. Your description of the detached retina surgery is so frightening, but I'm so glad you gave a first hand account of it. It's difficult for me to go through something like this and have people not understand what it's like and how scary it is to risk losing your eyesight. On Monday after I had the eye surgery my boss asked me to come back to work to finish the day. He just doesn't understand what it's all about. Now I plan to let people read your description so they know what it's really like. I hope you and your eyes are both well and that your vision improves. Thanks so much again for this website.

August 19, 2007 | Lisa W

Hi, I am a paramedic student in Canada, I just wanted to let you know that your description of retinal detachment was very enlightneing for me, we touch on a number of pathologies and specialize in none, so if we wish to learn more we need to look it up on our own. Your unfortunate story was very helpful to me, I will treat such symptoms as an emergency.
Thanks,
James

September 16, 2006 | James Anderson

Hi,

I'm Singaporean.
I had my retina detachment operation done 3 weeks ago. As my doc did not explain much I decided to find out more. Your story have enlighten some of my worries. I guess I'm lucky that I did not go thru' the kind of pain you had. The small retina tear was detacted at an early stage but the laser treatment didn't help. Not sure whether its because the doc did not do a good job. Anyway 2 weeks later the retina detach and I had to go thru' the buckle and freeze operation. It feels O.K now but I do still see some floaters. Thanks for taking time to write about your experience it helps me alot.

December 20, 2005 | Hanni Pek