Retinal Detachment Surgery: Post Operation Expectations

The retina in the eye is the light-sensing membrane that captures and transmits images to the brain. Most of the retinal detachments experienced by people are in the beginning caused by a small tear or hole in this sensitive retina wall. Often due to the tapering of the retina or shrinking of the vitreous gel within the eye over a period of time, these detachments occur and a person can lose his vision completely if it is not treated on time by a retinal detachment specialist. It is more common in affecting individuals who are middle-aged or big, retinal tears and detachments are most common in nearsighted individuals and those with a genetic disposition

Quick treatment of a retinal detachment is vital to the prevention of permanent vision loss. The treatments help press the retina against the wall of the eye and hold the tissues in place so that they can heal. Surgical retinal reattachment surgery is conducted through a quick one and a half to two-hour surgery.

Just like every other eye surgery (laser eye operation, cataract surgery) retinal detachment surgery comes with its risk of grave complications, but are mostly treatable complications and they can include bleeding under the retina, cataracts, recurrence, or infection.

Retinal detachment surgery is normally followed by a short recovery at the eye hospital before returning home. Patients can often return to normal activity one to two weeks after surgery. Travelling should be avoided for some time, and increases in altitude should be avoided until further directions are given by the surgeon.

After the surgery, the eye may be inflamed, sore, and swollen for some time. Although very little pain is expected after surgery, pain medications are often sent home with the patient to help in post-surgical pain control. Eye drops and an eye patch may be necessary aftercare to keep the eye moist, sanitized. Follow-up visits will be scheduled for the day after surgery and again for regular checkups over the next two to three months depending on patient’s progress. Some discharge is also expected during the healing process, but any unusual drainage should be monitored.

The first week after surgery should be held in reserve for rest and slow movement. Excessive close concentration or TV watching should be avoided to prevent eye strain and further discomfort. Some patients may experience sensitivity to light after surgery. Activity can be resumed after a month, but heavy lifting over 20 pounds and strenuous activities should be avoided while the eye heals. Driving should also be avoided until vision improves and stabilizes.  Sedentary jobs may be returned to between ten and fourteen days after surgery, but more active jobs should be cleared by the surgeon before resumed.

Surgical treatment for retinal detachment is victorious in over 90 percent of cases. If the retinal reattachment is a success, the patient will have some degree of vision restored. Depending on the condition of the retina, a varying degree of reading and travelling vision may be restored, and sometimes patients can expect a full recovery of their vision. A period of healing is necessary after surgery before patients will begin to see an improvement in their vision. This improvement should be expected to begin two weeks after surgery, and within six weeks postoperative vision improvement should be complete. The retina may continue to heal for a year or more, and it may take months for vision to stabilize after surgery. Recovery is quick and requires a short period of rest and care while the retina heals and vision improves.

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