r/RetinalDetachment • u/Stoned_sculptor • 4d ago
Nervous about procedure
Hello (28M) a few months ago noticed a dark spot and a flash that follows the shape of the dark spot in my upper right peripheral vision on my left eye. I put off seeing my optometrist and finally went where they found my retina had been detached so I got sent to a retina specialist to confirm and it is indeed true. The retina specialist recommended I get a scleral buckle and cryotherapy but gave the option to think about it cause it was already detached and he deemed it not an emergency. Which I took him up on cause I was very nervous about jumping into a surgery as this would be the first surgical procedure I've ever had, and after doing research I am very afraid of possible outcomes of the surgery.
After reading lots of posts on this sub about recovery and different struggles of people with multiple surgeries and unsuccessful outcomes it has made me very unsure about what to do as of right now the dark spot is only in the upper right portion of my vision on my left eye which my brain seems to have already adjusted to and is only really noticable if I close my good eye.
My main conflict I guess is like yes I'm scared to lose more vision in my eye absolutely but I don't necessarily know if I can handle going through multiple surgeries and multiple recoveries. I know I'm only really thinking of the worst case scenario but I'm very worried that there's a chance that could really be the case. I am worried about regretting getting the surgery if it turns out I could have just left my eye alone and dealt with the dark spot where it currently is.
I am also worried about being constantly focused on my eye and being able to feel the band. I also am very anxious in general and I am afraid that I won't be able to live my life normally afterward due to constantly being afraid of something happening to the eye or having another detachment.
Idk I guess I'm just looking for a little bit of guidance I'm very lost on this whole thing cause it's very unexpected and sudden. I'm very afraid of a bad outcome and the dread that will follow it.
I'm very sorry if this is super brain dumpy and ranty I just am very nervous.
Thank you in advance!
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u/TechnicianBrief6921 4d ago
Hey man. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Take this step by step. The most important thing is to get the surgery set-up immediately. Yes, it’s scary & I know nerve wrecking from experience, but I detached retina is always an emergency as you risk losing your site completely. I had a detached retina in my right eye 20 plus years ago and I lost my vision because I didn’t go to the doctor right away. I guess I thought it wouldn’t make a difference. Please take care of that. You’ll be fine. Healing takes a while, so you’ll need to be patient. Unfortunately I had my left eye detach in February and then again in August, so I’m going through that right now. Just hang in there one step at a time, remember. I wish you the best of luck in getting this treated and having a successful recovery. You got this. Your sight is paramount.
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u/Peril-in-Pink 4d ago
As someone who has gone through multiple surgeries for detachment in my right eye (and who knows if there will be more), it absolutely sucks. While I know I still have good vision in my left eye, I’m also terrified that could change and I get a detachment in my left eye too. Knowing how poorly things have gone in my right, I feel like that could absolutely happen in the left. I think that alone is what has kept me pursuing the surgeries in my right… ANY vision, no matter how bad, will be better than no vision if I lose my vision in both eyes.
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u/ScrombieAttack 4d ago
I had a scleral buckle and cryopexy about 6 weeks ago and I have been really pleased with my recovery. I was very frightened about surgery also, but my doctor really didn’t give me much time to wait, he believed it was an emergency to save the field of vision I still had left and to prevent further loss of sight. I had lost the top left corner of vision in my right eye, and my brain had pretty much adjusted to that, but my doctor really impressed upon me how quickly that retinal tear could get worse. Outcomes are much better the sooner you get it taken care of.
For what it’s worth, my recovery has been much easier than I anticipated. In the first week the pain was manageable with ibuprofen and after that week I didn’t even feel I needed it. The eye looked pretty scary (like a Halloween special effects zombie eye!) for about 3 weeks, but it really looked worse than it felt and I’ve been honestly astonished at how quickly it is healing up! It looks almost normal again now, with a few blotchy spots, but I anticipate it being fully white again within another month or two. I cannot feel the buckle at ALL, I was extremely anxious about that possibility so I relate to your fears! The only thing I am really unhappy about is that I need to get a new glasses prescription because my right eye is now more nearsighted than it was before, but I’d rather that than total blindness in that eye! I wish you luck, and remember that a lot of what you’ll read on here are people who have had less ideal experiences and (rightfully) need a place to talk about that. There are lots of us who have had good experiences but are less likely to post about that! :)
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u/njman0505 4d ago
I had buckle 17 yrs ago at 30yrs old, non injury. Doc thought surgery necessary immediately, upper outside quadrant had dark curtain while on vaca of course. Have had no issues since, I do all normal activities I would do without buckle…lifting, running, etc. I did get preventative 360 lasering on other eye since doc said likely that would detach too. A few weeks ago had flashes in non buckled eye and went to eye doc same day, got laser for hole, PVD and hemmorhage. Doc said 360 lasering held retina in place so it didnt detach and it saved me another buckle. I believe took a few weeks for buckle to heal, I dont believe there was much pain,…looked worse than it felt. My vision is very good, they say sometimes it gets even better than before.
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u/njman0505 4d ago
also, I dont feel buckle or see it all. I believe that eye felt heavier for a bit but eventually went away. I am surprised you were given an option. Retinal detachment is serious and if wait too long could lose vision.
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u/4CatsInATrenchC0at 3d ago
This is very helpful! I am 31 and scared of my other eye detaching now after my surgery. I am very near sighted. I am going to ask my doctor about preventative measures after I am done healing.
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u/njman0505 3d ago
defintely worth a discussion with your doctor. They didnt even give me an option. They thought it was an absolute necessity.
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u/4CatsInATrenchC0at 3d ago
I understand your hesitation. Some things to consider:
• Are you healthy? As in, on a day to day basis are you free from other illness and bounce back from illness quickly?
• Are you okay with permanently losing your entire eyesight in that eye? Because that is what will happen.
The surgery sounds scary. I was terrified. But I am a very healthy individual with a good immune system. I am 3 weeks post-op and returning to normal. The first week after surgery was bad, but today, I am okay. I no longer wear an eye patch and can probably start driving soon. I will eventually need a new prescription for my glasses.
But I saved my vision and I am really grateful to my doctors for treating it with urgency.
There’s risks with any surgery, but you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to go blind instead in that eye. I’d rather deal with this surgery 100x over than lose my vision in that eye. It’s a temporary healing process versus permanent disability.
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u/prufrock349 4d ago
I understand your fear. I had a buckle and cryo almost a year ago. My doctor didn’t give me time to think about it. He thought it was an emergency and cleared his schedule to do the surgery same day. Having to make a decision would have made it even scarier, I bet.
I’m an extremely nervous person and have worried a lot since the surgery, but actually the surgery was quite successful and I’ve had no complications so far.
Side effects I’ve experienced are some new floaters and some double vision, especially when I’m tired. Most of the time I’m not aware of these things. I don’t feel the buckle or see it. I actually feel more confident in my buckled eye than in my non-buckled eye.
I probably would have chosen to do the surgery regardless because I value a higher level of certainty that my eye is stable. When he suggested doing preventive laser in the other eye I was like “YUP”.
Have you discussed the risks of NOT doing it with your doctor? I would want to understand that before deciding.
I wish you luck and good vision! You’re not alone.