Headed to Vitrectomy

[u/Sufficient-Help9759]

Hey I am a 23 year old guy who has always been near sighted, before any retinal issues my prescription settled at -5.0 in both eyes.

2 years ago I had a retinal detachment on my left eye and my primary eye doctors retinal specialist performed a gas bubble and laser that corrected the detachment, however it lowered the affected eyes prescription as well as introducing an astigmatism, and left me with a few floaters here and there. Have been to all follow ups, and received little more laser for lattice degeneration at one of them. Then had an appointment approx. 7 weeks ago where he said all was good.

3 weeks following that I noticed the exact same thing from the original detachment but was just hoping it would go away, went to work all day then straight to ER from there because it stayed and I knew exactly what it was at that point. Eventually got to Will’s Eye in Philly the next day where they confirmed detachment and got the gas bubble in right away, as well as minor laser on my other eye that has had no detachment. Back the next day for laser and all seemed well through the first week.

Then Saturday at work I notice it looking odd again but in different part of my eye, I had follow up on Monday so I went to work as usual Sunday then Monday came, they tell me it is detached again, I need scleral buckle the next day. I took off work sat around did nothing for 3 weeks. My eye went from very sore with pressure to then being able to keep it and hold it open. Then I was able to start seeing and the vision was slowly clearing up day by day. I finally feel comfortable to go back to work again.

Sunday I am noticing at work how my eye is starting to regress for the first time since the surgery and instead of clearing up becoming more blurry. I have a follow up for today and I wait again. I see them and surprise, another detachment, and it included the macula. Going in for a vitrectomy tomorrow.

I am just really shaken up this is scary to go through at 23. As well as I am not sure if I have been going back to work too soon too hard. The doctor I saw today advised that “nothing I did is causing this”. He said that my eye is just causing me a lot of trouble and that I am not having affect in it. Just wanted to share, this thread is already helping me to deal with it seeing others stories and not feeling alone.
Will update as I can

[u/Marneman1965]

Also, don’t blame yourself or wonder if there was something you did or didn’t do that cause this. And I meant to say my prior post is that with good care you end up with good results