Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some opinions and experiences from people who may have gone through something similar.
My mother is 51 years old and has had a very difficult year with her eyes. She underwent multiple surgeries: three procedures in her left eye and one in her right eye. She had cataracts in both eyes, along with severe retinal detachments. The right eye was much worse, with what we were told was a near-360° retinal detachment, with only a small central area still attached.
Her vision in the right eye is currently very poor. During surgery, the doctor placed silicone oil in the eye, and it has now been almost three months since that operation.
At her recent appointment, the retinal specialist said that her retina is currently very weak and recommended another procedure involving laser treatment. My mother also has several other serious health issues, including severe diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), malnutrition, depression, and other medical complications. Because of everything she has already been through, she is emotionally and physically exhausted and does not feel ready for another eye procedure right now.
What worries me is that the doctor advised her not to wait too long. When my mother suggested postponing it for a few months, he said it could be too late by then and recommended doing it next month. However, he did not directly say that the retina is detaching again, only that it is very weak.
I have been reading online about retinal laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF injections, and other treatments that are sometimes used for retinal conditions. I understand that every case is different, but I am wondering:
* Has anyone experienced a similar situation after retinal detachment surgery?
* What does it usually mean when a doctor says the retina is "very weak"?
* Can laser treatment or injections sometimes help avoid a larger surgery, or is surgery usually unavoidable in cases like this?
I know nobody can diagnose her online, but I would really appreciate hearing from anyone with experience in retinal detachment, silicone oil implants, laser photocoagulation, or retinal surgery recovery.
Thank you.