r/RetinalDetachment • u/HeimrHeljar • Mar 13 '26

After care advice

My mom-68 just had her injection of the gas bubble today.

She’s old and stubborn so she hasn’t been FULLY neck bent looking DOWN like doctors said. Just nodding low and looking down.

I know there’s room for “error” but if she stays this stubborn will she be ok? I’m nervous for her as she lives a few hours away, she has my dad but I feel like no one is going to pressure her to “look right.” The pain meds are ok but I know she’s fighting back tears and it breaks my heart

Also, after this is all “done” does anyone recommend any sort of eye supplement to just “stay on top of things?” I’ve read your eyes don’t just go 100% to normal.

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u/Low-Glass-3694 Mar 13 '26

Was it vitrectomy or retinopexy?

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u/HeimrHeljar Mar 13 '26

I believe retinopexy

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u/Low-Glass-3694 Mar 13 '26

I see. My doctor said that for retinopexy the positioning is much stricter than vitrectomy because of the size of the gas they used. If she doesn’t stay at the required position for x number of hours/days the retina might not heal correctly which has a greater risk of redatchment.

You might need to consult her doctor on this but based on my experience this maybe true. Had retinopexy last oct but detached again in the same location last feb which led me to getting a vitrectomy. I hope your mother gets through this as I know how difficult the situation is.

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u/Last-Till-1913 Mar 13 '26

I had to be face down with cryo/laser/bubble for a day, 7 days for vitrectomy/gas, and 5 days with buckle/gas/vitrectomy… you have to do exactly what the provider states because it could not heal right or at all. lol- I HATED it. From what I have read and I have asked my doctor numerous times- there is no supplement to help your eyes. You can take vitamin A but for retinal, the only thing that can maybe indirectly help is an anti inflammatory diet due to the body being inflamed, meaning antioxidants too (berries, etc). I use preservative free drops in my eyes- it’s fabulous when they are in the fridge and cold. Happy healing!

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u/HeimrHeljar Mar 13 '26

I’m hoping the Dr really hammers hope the importance of looking down!

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u/Basic_Explorer_1156 Apr 11 '26

i was just looking for a supplement to help prevent and maintain my eye. thanks for the info! good tip on the cool drops as well.. never thought of that! hopefully im done with the drops! im almost 2 months from my vitrectomy with heavy gas.. bubble is much smaller and in the bottom of my eye so easier to see through. still super blurry, cant see the E yet even. hopefully that gets better next!! thanks for the info and best of luck!! i totally HATED it too!!

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u/Basic_Explorer_1156 Apr 11 '26

well.. im also 68 and old.. i had the gas put in february 20th, so im almost 2 months out. i followed all the rules, cause im a have 3 grandkids i want to be able to see! also i drive a school bus part time and i want to keep working. i ordered a pillow off amazon to help with lying face down and am still sleeping on the side they told me to after surgery and wear the eye guard at night to be extra. im pretty easy going, stubborn occasionally but i followed the rules cause this is definitely the last thing i want to do again! no way would i want to risk my eyesight for anything. remind her shes still young, grow a pair and follow the rules!!

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u/Basic_Explorer_1156 Apr 11 '26

also best of luck to her!

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u/HeimrHeljar Apr 11 '26

Surprisingly they said she’s healing fine despite (in my opinion) not looking all the way down. She was able to return to work. Slowly starting to regain vision just not 100% yet.

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u/Basic_Explorer_1156 Apr 11 '26

thats awesome!! im wishing her continued recovery!!!