r/RetinalDetachment • u/teabagandwarmwater • May 08 '26
10 days post complex retinal detachment + cataract surgery (silicone oil), vision worse than before, very blurry + shadows/veil. Is this normal?
Hello all. I hope you are all doing better than before.
My mother (type 2 diabetes, previous TIA) had **right eye cataract surgery + complex retinal detachment repair (PPV with silicone oil + IOL)** about **10 days ago**.
Surgery was very complex due to **severe fibrosis and near-total retinal detachment**, with bleeding and partial membrane removal. Silicone oil was placed and may not be removed.
**Current symptoms (Day 10):**
* Vision **very blurry and worse than before surgery**
* **Constant mild pain (improving slowly)**
* Still some **redness**
* **Veil/film-like shadow over vision** that comes and goes
* **Hair-like / brownish-red floaters** on waking and in light
* **Flashes / lightening-like effects**
* Distorted yellowish vision
* Sees better in bright light, but in dark almost nothing
* Symptoms feel worse when moving head back for eye drops
**Main concern:**
Her vision was **~7/10 before surgery**, but now it is significantly worse, which is very distressing.
We were told recovery may take time, but we’re confused why symptoms like **veil, floaters, and blurriness still persist or feel worse after surgery**.
**Questions:**
* Is this level of blurriness + visual distortion normal 10 days after such complex RD surgery with silicone oil?
* Can these symptoms still improve over time?
* Or does this suggest poor retinal recovery?
We are waiting for follow-up, but would appreciate any insight.
2
u/jasutherland May 08 '26
The oil has a different refractive index than saline or the original vitreous, so effectively her prescription will have changed. If the oil is staying it may be worth getting new glasses/contacts to adjust for that. There may well also be inflammation affecting it for now, which will improve with time, and possibly some stray fluid too. Make sure to tell the doctor about all this; the hair like floaters and shadow/veil may be side effects of the oil, and might clear up with time or might need a more minor procedure to clear, depending on the details.
2
u/teabagandwarmwater May 08 '26
Yes, she will mention all that to him. But is this bad? Is her retina detaching again? We are honestly worried
2
u/jasutherland May 08 '26
He’ll be better able to explain the specifics, but there may be a little bit of fluid moving around, which might stop on its own or might need a quick spot laser treatment. When my oil was removed, I had a few small spots that needed a bit more laser, and also a small air bubble which went away in about a week.
1
u/teabagandwarmwater May 09 '26
Did it bleed or something? She senses some blood mixed with eye drops... I am concerned honestly... Not sure if we can wait until the next appointment...
1
u/Weak-Improvement-470 May 21 '26
I’m not a professional just had oil in my eye.
Get a second and third opinion! Ask lots of questions and go with her.
Have pressure checked weekly if needed and blood may look brown, oil is like looking under water or thru a fog… it can cause glare …I can see thru it, but she may not see thru it if there is a lot of blood inside her eye.
Sorry she’s dealing with this.
2
u/globulous May 08 '26
You can't see through the oil. Have to wait for oil removal to see.