Has anyone dealt with retinal detachment?

15 years ago

A week ago today, DH had a retinal detachment. He has had 3 surgeries since then and still has not regained sight in the affected eye. They had expected some improvement by now. We go back on Monday for another check and to schedule his 4th surgery. Has anyone gone through this? The poor guy is so tired of having to sleep upright. Any other time he would be able to fall asleep in the recliner in a minute, but of course he isn't able to when he has to sleep that way.

Linda

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Comments (26)

cloudy_christine
15 years ago
So sorry to hear this, Linda. I have no personal experience with retinal detachment, but after three surgeries, might it be time to head to a specialist eye hospital?
lindac
15 years ago
It's most unusual for him not to have any vision at all in that eye.
You need to get him to an opthamology clinic.
Anyone I have known who had a detached retina, either healed with just rest, or with laser surgery. But one man did have several bouts before they got it reattached for good. However he could see...even if his vision was blurry.
I sure hope you get to the bottom of this....sounds scary.
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momof2doxies
Original Author
15 years ago
There is light at the end of the tunnel this morning. He just got up and can see light. He can't really see anything specific yet, but we were told that this would be the first step to recovery if any progress were going to be made. The retinal specialist had originally given us odds of 60% that he would get any sight back because of the severity and location of the detachment. One of my favorite quotes is "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain." Well I am dancing this morning and it is raining outside.

Linda
caliloo
15 years ago
Fingers crossed that he is on the road to recovery! That must have been very scary indeed.

Alexa
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
15 years ago
Sorry to hear about your DH's trouble.

I am not an expert. Just an opinion here for you to do your own research.

Methanol is highly damaging to the eye nerves. Please be careful in hangling gasoline which may have around 10% methanol in it. Don't let it soak into your skin or breath in too much of the fume.

dcarch
annie1992
15 years ago
Linda, my Grandma had a retinal detachment in her 60s. It took two surgeries and she never recovered full vision in that eye, but she did recover some. I remember her reading with her hand over one eye. Of course, she waited several days to go see the eye doc, thinking it would "go away". Yeah....

good luck to your DH.

Annie
centralcacyclist
15 years ago
My ex had this happen. It was caught early and after a couple of laser treatments I believe his vision is okay. I haven't inquired too deeply.
cloudy_christine
15 years ago
I'm glad to hear there is progress! Hoping for the best.
dedtired
15 years ago
Linda, I have no experience with this but just want to say that I hope your husband continues to improve and things go well for him. So scary to think of losing vision, but it sounds like he is on the way to regaining it.
shaun
15 years ago
Oh dear. Fingers crossed and hoping for a complete recovery!
lsr2002
15 years ago
Adding my good thoughts for his recovery. I don't know much about retinal detachment but wish him the very best.

Keep us posted.

Lee
momof2doxies
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the support. DH is really down tonight. He has to have the major eye surgery first thing tomorrow
morning. They just can't get the tear sealed up with the cyro surgery, so he continues to leak fluid which causes the eye pressure to go down. He found out today that he will not be allowed to go back to work until the new year.

For stress relief, I baked for 3 straight days from 7:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night. We have a lot of really happy friends and neighbors right now since they were all the recipients of the goodies.

Linda
shaun
15 years ago
Aw Linda, sorry to hear this. I'll be sending major positive thoughts to you all tomorrow. Good Luck.
foodonastump
15 years ago
Best to your husband, Linda. I can only imagine how scary and stressful this all is. Hope tomorrow brings a positive report.
triciae
15 years ago
Linda, don't know a thing about retinal detachment but I'm hoping your DH's surgery goes well tomorrow morning. I'll include him in my prayers.

/tricia
jessyf
15 years ago
(((hugs)))
sprout26
15 years ago
Oh man, anything with eyes gets my attention as I am seriously near-sighted. Doctors today can do many amazing things and have fabulous tools at their disposal. Best wishes for a good outcome.
compumom
15 years ago
I'm looking for positive news from your DH's surgery...
momof2doxies
Original Author
15 years ago
Surgery went fine this morning. DH will get to come home tomorrow morning if he has a good night. They finally found why no progress was being made. There were several small tears that they were not able to see until today when they cut open the eye. As far as regaining any sight, it is just a wait and see situation.
Thanks for the good thoughts.
Linda
compumom
15 years ago
Fingers are crossed for a full recovery!
centralcacyclist
15 years ago
Sending healing thoughts to your husband. Hugs to you as well.
coconut_nj
15 years ago
Linda, that's good that they finally found out just exactly what the problem/situation was. Sending good healing energy and hoping for a great outcome.
shaun
15 years ago
Well then! Let the recovery begin! Hope he has perfect vision after this.
cloudy_christine
15 years ago
Thank goodness they found the problem. Hoping for the best for him.
caliloo
15 years ago
Fingers crossed for a complete recovery!

Alexa
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
15 years ago
My brother while in his early thirties had both retinas detach- from a botched laser eye surgery.
6-7 years later, he is fine but does not have 20/20 vision and still wears glasses.
He also has beginning cataracts and will have glaucoma, according to the doctor. And he also has to have the pressure relieved every few months.
It was a tragic thing indeed. But he didn't go blind.

Has anyone dealt with retinal detachment?

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