Once you leave
the hospital, your recovery will become primarily your responsibility.
Your physician and your nurse will have explained how to
care for your eye at home, and given you your "Discharge
Instructions". Please refer to your "Discharge
Instructions" for your specific instructions. The
following information answers many of the common questions and
concerns Retina Specialists of Alabama patients have following
retina surgery. Please call the office 800
292-8166 or 205 933-2625 if you have any additional questions
or problems.
What
can I do?
The
first week after your surgery, it is important for you to take
it easy; walk and move your head in slow motion. Pamper
yourself and get a lot of rest. Avoid excessive reading
or watching TV. Unless otherwise instructed, you may increase
your activity after four (4) weeks but still avoid heavy lifting--anything
more than 20 pounds. Avoid any strenuous activity that requires
straining--making the veins in your neck pop out.
How
do I use my patch and shield?
You
should sleep in your metal shield at night for three (3) weeks
to avoid injuring or putting pressure on your eye in your sleep.
You need not
wear the shield during the day unless you feel more secure with
it on. You may wear your glasses to protect your eye from
injury.
Wear a soft
cotton patch at home the evening of surgery and the following
day. Change the patch as needed due to tearing or discharge,
but at least morning and evening. You may wish to wear a
cotton patch a little longer, if your eye is watering excessively
or if sunlight bothers you.
Some watery
discharge and mucous secretion is to be expected, but yellow
or foul smelling drainage should be reported to your doctor.
How
do I use my drops?
The
best method for using drops is to follow the " pouch technique".
Lean your head back or lie down. Pull your lower lid
down to form a pocket or "pouch". Look up.
Put one drop into the pouch, being careful not to touch
the top of the bottle to the eye, eyelids or eyelashes.
Keep your
eye closed for one full minute following the drops. Allow at least
one minute between each drop instilled. Always wash your
hands before and after using drops.
Avoid contaminating
the bottle tips. Bring your medications with you to the
office each visit. Continue to use your medications
until instructed otherwise by your doctor. Resume any eye medications
you were using before surgery unless instructed otherwise
by your doctor.
What
is normal postoperative discomfort?
Many
people have very little postoperative discomfort. Some soreness,
redness, tearing, and sensitivity to light is normal and will
gradually decrease day-by-day as you recover.
You may use
over-the-counter non-aspirin analgesics (Tylenol, etc.) and warm
compresses to relieve minor discomfort. Use prescription
pain medications as instructed by your physician. If you experience
severe persistent pain, please inform your doctor.
Can
I shower and wash my hair?
You
may shower and wash your hair carefully. Do not scrub your
head vigorously. Avoid getting soap and water in your eye.
Do not let the water pound on your face. If you wear
a patch in the shower, remember to change it afterwards. Be
especially careful getting in and out of the shower, to avoid
falling or bumping your eye.
Will
I have to position face down if I have the FILMS™
procedure?
A
long acting gas bubble is placed in the eye during surgery for
macular hole repair by any method, whether the traditional forceps
technique or by the new FILMS ™
procedure.
The bubble serves as a "splint" to help hold the surgically
repaired retina in place until it has had a chance to form a firm
reattachment. If you have macular hole repair and have not
had the natural lens in your eye removed for cataract surgery*,
you will be asked to take advantage of this splint-like effect
by positioning yourself in a face down position until the bubble
clears. You will be required to sleep in a face down position.
While you
are positioning you may be up for meals and to go to the bathroom.
You may also position sitting, in bed or on the couch. You
may stretch and move as you need but do not lie on your back.
Try to maintain your head in a position parallel to the floor
looking down. You will be given a supportive pillow device
to take home from the hospital to help you maintain correct positioning.
The gas bubble
is gradually absorbed and most cases will be significantly diminished
by two weeks. Because the gas is expandable at high
altitudes and this phenomena could potentially be a hazard to
your vision, you will not be allowed to fly until the gas bubble
is gone, usually a minimum of two (2) weeks. As the
bubble decreases in size you may see the edge of the bubble as
a shadow in the lower field of your vision. This is no cause for
alarm.
* Patients
who have had their natural lens removed for cataract surgery do
not have to position as strictly as those patients who still have
their lens. Pseudophakic (patients with an intraocular lens
implant) will need to position at night but may position normally
during the day.
What
can I expect about my vision?
You
may expect a gradual improvement in your vision. Immediately after
surgery you might possibly be aware of a decrease in preoperative
symptoms like double vision or distorted vision but you will not
being seeing clearly. The retina heals slowly; what you
should experience is a slow steady progress. Two (2) weeks
after surgery you should be aware of a definite improvement (especially
if you had a gas bubble) in your vision from the first few days
after surgery. Within six (6) weeks you can be close
to a final postoperative vision but the retina can continue to
heal and vision may improve as long as a year or more. Do
not be discouraged, be patient but also vigilant.
We encourage
you to check your vision regularly and inform your physician if
you experience any decrease in your vision.
Will
I get a cataract after FILMS™
surgery for
macular hole repair?
Cataract
is a common consequence of all macular hole surgery with intraocular
gas regardless of the type of procedure whether traditional forceps
or new FILMS™
technique. Cataracts
occur frequently as adults age and many people who experience
macular holes may already have the beginning of cataracts. The
exact cause of the acceleration or initiation of cataracts with
macular hole surgery is not completely understood. Careful face
down positioning is known to lessen the risk but still many people
will need cataract surgery within a year of macular hole repair
surgery. It can cause a frustrating decrease in vision just
as an increased vision from the macular hole recovery is anticipated.
Fortunately,
cataract surgery is one of the most common, most successful surgeries
performed today. The likelihood of good results without
complication is excellent. The visual decrease associated
with cataracts is
temporary. Once
cataract extraction surgery is performed the vision return from
macular hole surgery can again be appreciated.
Can
I drive?
It
is better to refrain from driving until your vision has improved.
You may drive if the vision in your fellow eye is within the legal
limits for licensing in your state. You may wish to
check with your State Motor Vehicle Licensing Department for their
criteria or your automobile insurance agent may be able to advise
you. If you are relying on the vision of just one eye, remember
your depth perception will be impaired and your field of view
will not be normal.
When
can I go back to work?
If
you have a "sit-down" type job, you may return to work
between ten (10) to fourteen (14) days after your surgery, unless
otherwise instructed by your physician. If you have any
doubts about your ability to resume work, discuss this with your
physician.
Ask your physician
before returning to any physical activity which requires straining
or rapid movements. Do not engage in any heavy labor, operating
heavy equipment or yard work for at least one month.
