Eye Floater Removal Surgery (Removal) Anyone had it?

[ShokWaveRider]

Had my #2 Follow up today. Bubble is GONE! Eye test was a little better today so things are improving. Do not have to go back for another month. No restrictions.

Doc seems to think all is good and all downhill from here. Macular does take a while to heal. So no eye tests for glasses for at least 3 months as I could get false readings.

So all good. Eye very clear in comparison to looking through tissue paper before Surgery.

 

[TromboneAl]

I came here to post about my posterior vitreous detachment, but this thread is relvant.

Long story short: Lifted heavy object (may be unrelated), had lightning flashes (actually looked for clouds), made several visits to the doc and he ruled out any retinal detachment.

I painted a picture for the doc (literally):

The yellow represents the flashes that went away. You can see my Weiss Ring (the dark C).

The good news is that once you've had PVD, you are a reduced risk for retinal detachment. I'm already blind in the other eye, so I'm safe.

The bad news is that the floaters have gotten worse. In general, they're not a problem, but right now, they sit right over my fovea (center of vision) and make it hard to read.

I'm hoping that will improve.

I'm working on figuring out the best eye flicks that make them move away for 30 seconds or so.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Today the gas bubble is totally gone. The floaters seem to be minimal today, very clear but focused close vision in the affected eye is poor currently although for distance (with existing glasses) seems to be improving today.

I drove for the first time today post surgery and it is like night and day, very clear. I wear glasses for long distance and purposely had my IOLs set that way, as I have always done so. I take my glasses off to read, at home, unless I am watching TV I do not use glasses, so I think having close up IOLs as opposed to distance IOLs that is the most common, it was a good decision.

So now it is a waiting game, next surgery follow up is in a month.

 

[eytonxav]

ShokWaveRider, how long are eye drops necessary and what drops did you have to take (e.g. Ilevro, etc.)

 

[ShokWaveRider]

ShokWaveRider, how long are eye drops necessary and what drops did you have to take (e.g. Ilevro, etc.)

Eye drops are an antibiotic (Generic for Maxitrol [$4]) 4 x per day for 9 days after surgery. 1 day after the second checkup, doc said stop them. then use some artificial OTC tears if it gets dry. I do not notice dryness but use them 2 X per day for good measure as I had some in the Med Cabinet.

 

[eytonxav]

I had another re-check this morning of my retinal membrane by my retina Dr, and the vision in my right eye continues to deteriorate. I've been getting it rechecked every 6 months. Today, Dr said that it is time to consider getting the Vitrectomy surgery vs letting it get worse. I also continue to be frustrated by a very large floater, so I am now scheduled for surgery 12/21. Dr said nothing strenuous for one month following surgery and that eye will continue to improve over several months time as the swelling subsides and the retina returns to a more normal shape, and even more small improvements can occur over a 2 year period. I asked him about the vitreolysis procedure and he told me that he and his colleagues (from Duke and Johns Hopkins) feel that procedure may fall short of achieving the results a patient expects. He's got an excellent reputation and certainly comes from the right schools, so I decided to take his word for it and opted for the vitrectomy.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

OK. Well as of Thursday Morning, there are no more floaters, bubble is completely gone, I am enjoying nice floater free vision (In the operated eye), it is a breath of fresh air.

I still have a few floaters in the right eye (not operated on yet) but they are less noticeable than before I had the right eye done, but they are still the same if I concentrate on them. I think I will have the right one done later next year or when it gets worse and intolerable as was my left.

I still need to let the macular heal completely, as although my focused sight is improving weekly, it still is not perfect with my corrected standard prescription glasses. Again, I was told it may take a few months, and that I am not to have any eye tests for new prescription glasses done until advised.

I would say so far it is an overwhelming success. When the macular heals fully it will be icing on the cake.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

No floaters at all in the operated eye. The Right eye however is getting more noticeable. I think I will ask at the end of the month if that one can be done under this Years insurance.

 

[Turboslacker]

That's great progress, congrats. I would like to get mine done as well. Waiting a few more years since I'm only 49.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

just scheduled Vitrectomy surgery on my other floater infested eye (Right) to be done before the end of this year under current year insurance.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Yes, all ready for the 27th of December. Clear Right eye vision here I come.

 

[eytonxav]

Yes, all ready for the 27th of December. Clear Right eye vision here I come.

What sort of limitations did you have on exercising after the surgery? I was told to lay off for a month, no lifting anything over 10 lbs.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

What sort of limitations did you have on exercising after the surgery? I was told to lay off for a month, no lifting anything over 10 lbs.

Yes you are not supposed to lift anything heavy for 3 weeks. I had no limitations after that.

 

[Rianne]

My floaters come and go, sometimes I think they're stress related. I can go days without floaters or noticing them at all. Then all of a sudden, a few start flying around. Finally, I went to an ophthalmologist. I wanted a medical doctor. She said no issues, very common. I'm just living with them, the dirty little dots. Just in case I get completely sick of them, does insurance cover the surgery mentioned above?

 

[eytonxav]

My floaters come and go, sometimes I think they're stress related. I can go days without floaters or noticing them at all. Then all of a sudden, a few start flying around. Finally, I went to an ophthalmologist. I wanted a medical doctor. She said no issues, very common. I'm just living with them, the dirty little dots. Just in case I get completely sick of them, does insurance cover the surgery mentioned above?

My insurance is covering my vitrectomy, although I am dealing with a epi-retinal membrane over my macula, as well as an extremely large floater that goes up and down like a curtain.

 

[eytonxav]

Had my vitrectomy yesterday. Took not quite three hours from check-in to check-out. I did not end up as fortunate as ShokWaveRider as the surgeon discovered a small slit at the top of my retina, so in addition to peeling off the membrane, he lasered the entire circumference of my retina as an extra precaution. Due to the retina problem he had to put a gas bubble in there to hold the retina in place, but since the small slit was on top at least I do not need to be face down for weeks. Just need to remain sitting upright during the day and sleep on either side with my shield at night. I am taking 2 drops 4X per day, 1 drop 2X per day and preservative lubricant drop every three hours. Further my activity needs to be minimal, not a lot of moving around for the time being. I can't see much out of my right eye due to the gas bubble and swelling, and he said it would most likely take a few months to recover. Not sure when I will be able to drive, but after today's post op appointment, I go back again for a check next week. I'm pretty bummed at what an ordeal this is turning out to be, but probably better than if I ended up with a fully detached retina down the road.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Had my vitrectomy yesterday. Took not quite three hours from check-in to check-out. I did not end up as fortunate as ShokWaveRider as the surgeon discovered a small slit at the top of my retina, so in addition to peeling off the membrane, he lasered the entire circumference of my retina as an extra precaution. Due to the retina problem he had to put a gas bubble in there to hold the retina in place, but since the small slit was on top at least I do not need to be face down for weeks. Just need to remain sitting upright during the day and sleep on either side with my shield at night. I am taking 2 drops 4X per day, 1 drop 2X per day and preservative lubricant drop every three hours. Further my activity needs to be minimal, not a lot of moving around for the time being. I can't see much out of my right eye due to the gas bubble and swelling, and he said it would most likely take a few months to recover. Not sure when I will be able to drive, but after today's post op appointment, I go back again for a check next week. I'm pretty bummed at what an ordeal this is turning out to be, but probably better than if I ended up with a fully detached retina down the road.

I think it is better to get the Gas bubble than a detached Retina and the minor inconvenience now is worth it.

I am up for my second Vitrectomy (No Peel) on the 27th. of this months. I will update when it is complete. I am actually looking forward to it.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Just had my second Vitrectomy completed this morning. Still a little groggy, Doc said all good not issues, so just the recoup time. No tears no Macular scaring. Small air bubble which is normal. Eye patch comes off tomorrow, first post op check Friday.

 

[eytonxav]

Had another recheck this morning and everything looks good. Found out the Dr used C3F8 gas at 12% which takes much longer to dissipate than an air bubble or SF6. I am probably looking at another 5 weeks with the bubble obscuring my vision. Still need to remain inactive until the area around the retina that was sealed with a laser scars over. The gas bubble is what is supporting that area in the mean time. I go back for another re-check in 2 weeks. Its difficult to be so inactive and putting up with the blurry vision for such an extended period, although I know this is the best way to avoid any complications.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Right Eye, Day 2, Pirate Patch off the eye, small bubble this time that is getting noticeable smaller quicker than the left eye did. Same second day symptoms, Red Eye, very small "White" blood cell floater, that I now know will go away in about a week.

Very clear vitreous, no big tissue paper style floaters at all any more.

Tomorrow is the first Post opp check up. I assume it will be uneventful. Having been through the same with my left eye, I know what to expect.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

First post op check today, doc said it was going so well no need for another till 2 weeks. Other than a little more redness than the left eye it is all good.

Happy New Year to you all.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

OK had my 3 week checkup today on my right eye. It is still a little red but the doc does not want to see me for another 3 months. so I guess all is good. It is very clear and with the exception of a few white blood cells hanging around, doc says all is good.

Off To Costco for an eye test next week and a new pair of specs.

Moral, Virectomy is not the nightmare that is professed on a lot of Web sites IMHO. I think the Tech is proven now. So if you have "bad" floaters like I had, the results are like night and day. Just make sure your selected eye surgeon has done a few. Mine has done >16,000.

 

[FiveDriver]

SWR-
Thanks for this thread....I may be facing this sort of thing and I'm apprehensive about it.

Does the surgery require full anesthesia ??
Do you feel any pain before, during or after ??

There's no Vitamin or Supplement that magically removes floaters ??

 

[ShokWaveRider]

SWR-
Thanks for this thread....I may be facing this sort of thing and I'm apprehensive about it.

Does the surgery require full anesthesia ?? They say Partial, but I was out.

Do you feel any pain before, during or after ?? - Not At All

There's no Vitamin or Supplement that magically removes floaters ?? Not that I know of.

 

[omni550]

SWR-
Thanks for this thread....I may be facing this sort of thing and I'm apprehensive about it.

There's no Vitamin or Supplement that magically removes floaters ??

Nothing that magically removes them. But sometimes, over time they become much less noticeable/bothersome. A few years ago, I had a giant infinity-sign-shaped one that was hanging right in the middle of my vision, making it difficult to see through. Went to a specialist who confirmed that it looked just like an infinity sign, and said, basically, deal with it. I'm not sure when it happened, but the floater seems to have disappeared 100%.

omni