Detached Retina Symptoms and Signs

If you suddenly notice spots, floaters and flashes of light, you may be experiencing the warning signs of a detached retina. Your vision might become blurry, or you might have poor vision. Another sign is seeing a shadow or a curtain descending from the top of the eye or across from the side.
These signs can occur gradually as the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue, or they may occur suddenly if the retina detaches immediately.
No pain is associated with retinal detachment. If you experience any of the signs, consult your eye doctor right away. Immediate treatment increases your odds of regaining lost vision.

Retina Detachment ~ My Personal Experience

Within hours I went from being virtually oblivious to retinal detachments, and their implications, to understanding that, while minimal, there was a chance I could soon be blind in my left eye!
Here's a diary of what transpired and my perspective on possibly managing and improving treatment for pain and fear ... so you don't have to feel the pain I did and the fear I saw another go through!
So far I have had one reattachment which did not hold and am now in the process of undergoing more intrusive surgery to attempt reattachment.
(This is a blog, so to start at the beginning, simply scroll to the end and read forward from there.)
You can contact me ... Mike ... at marandmike @ sympatico.ca

Summary of My Operations

LEFT EYE
Jul 8, 2009 ... Pneumatic Retinopexy, (C3F8 Gas), Dr. Martin
Aug 6, 2009 ... Vitrectomy, (C3F8 Gas), Dr. Chaudhary
Sept 4, 2009 ... Vitrectomy, (C3F8 Gas, Buckle, Cataract: Lens replacement), Dr. Chaudhary
Oct 19, 2009 ... Vitrectomy, (Silicone Oil), Dr. Chaudhary

RIGHT EYE
Jul 24, 2009 ... Laser Surgery, Dr. Martin
Aug 1, 2009 ... Laser Surgery, Dr. Chaudhary

Thursday, July 9, 2009

My Update to Family and Friends, July 9th, 2009

Hey!

Not seeing well, so will be short and sweet.
Eye surgery yesterday at 6PM. It's day surgery so I had to go home to my fine nurse.
Attached photo was at followup this am. The image has been 'doctored' ... I look much worse in real life.
Go again Monday, then again and again I suppose. If it fails I have to go through it all over again.
Doctor Martin is awesome and is keeping a 'close eye' on my progress.
My symptoms were very advanced, I had gone completely blind in left eye ... so he did very intrusive procedures, (I know cause the lady before me was done in 1/4 the time!)
Sticking needles into the eyeball was the worst. Now I know what to wish on my enemies: rectum needles. Or is that rectal?
He also used a shoe horn-like devise to pull the eye out ... felt like right out of the socket ... but it wasn't really.
Those were the things I can tell you. The others would make you sick.
Doc Martin told me that in order to keep the injected bubble in place I must stay erect for two weeks. I asked him how much Viagra he could prescribe for that! He has my sick sense of humour, so we have become fast friends.
In fact, during the whole surgery we were babbling back and forth.
This morning when he asked how my first night at home was I said I felt like my eye had been booted by a Doc Martin. I had to help him up off the floor.
Not supposed to be on here long, so will bid adieu.
Thanks so much for all your kind wishes and prayers. I look forward to the envelopes of money in the mail. hehehe

Best,

mike

Nurse! Nurse!! Nurse!!!

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