Not a Fun Summer!

 Before leaving AZ, May 1, for Reno I had noticed the vision in the right eye had changed, being 'distorted', so obviously there was a problem but wanted to get home to get with our Dr's and health care people.

When 'blinking' I could feel the eyelid coming in contact with something which turned out to be that membrane. Don't feel that now after surgery. Not sure if that membrane growth caused the slight tear, from blinking, in the retina but again will ask.

The original reason for the surgery was the Epiretinal membrane removal. When they got in they noticed that the retina had a slight tear and was detached.

Wednesday June 12 I had surgery on my right eye.

Right eye - Epiretinal membrane removed and retinal detachment reattached.

Taking it easy since last week's surgery. Going to be another 3 weeks of this but it has to be done.

Had another post op appt. Tuesday and the news was good. Retina is fully attached again and eye drop medication is slowly being reduced.
Next appt June 28.

Glad I got my CCW and Drivers license renewed before the surgery.

Post op visits are positive and we continue with recovery protocol.

Haven't had to take any pain meds.

Setback.

Noticed Wednesday the 26th  that vision was blurry again in the same eye.

Friday the 28th at my next scheduled  post op  follow up  they confirmed another problem. Retina was fully detached with water behind the retina. They immediately called Renown Medical Center Hospital and  were able to get me in for another surgery 3 hours later.

Vitrectomy was the procedure.

Had a follow-up with the surgeon Saturday morning the 29th and she took the patch off and prescribed more drops. Said it looked good. She wants another follow-up Wednesday.

Word is it could take 2 to 3 months, in some cases, for vision to return to where it was.

Sunday the 30th, we are staying positive and do see some improvement already from being totally blurry.

Wednesday Followup: Had good news this morning from my surgeon at the post op follow-up.

Retina remains attached with vision, albeit it blurry, slowly returning.

The oil, instead of the gas bubble used in the 1st surgery, that was put in the eye at the 2nd surgery is doing the job it is supposed to do.

“Silicone oil is injected into the eye during vitrectomy surgery to hold the retina in place against the eyewall. It works by pushing and holding the retina in position from the inside. This is different from scleral buckle surgery in which the eye wall is indented to push it against the retina from the outside. Depending on the characteristics of a retinal detachment, during vitrectomy surgery silicone oil or gas may be used to hold the retina in place.

Silicone oil may be left inside the eye for weeks, months, or years after surgical repair of retinal detachment.”

My surgeon is looking at possibly 2-4 months before removing the oil. That will depend of course on how the healing process goes.

I can now slowly resume normal activities but to use common sense.

Next appt August 29.

Betty

Friday June 19
We were going to go to çvs to get some new drops Friday the 19th for me and going out into the garage one of her flip flops got caught in the house door and she fell into the garage.

At the ER, 5 hours, they called it a 'crunch fracture' which meant it was a mess.

Last week: Saw the surgeon Monday and Wednesday she had the surgery. Didn't release until Thursday because her oxygen was too low reasoning that it was coming off the drugs from the anesthesia.

Monday 8/5 Staples and pin came out and hard cast put on. Then 6 weeks of therapy.

Next appointment September 5th.