Pending Eye Surgery

[da.bell]

The doctor that is doing the surgery is my bosses younger brother.

I hope you are nice to your boss j/k

Sorry to hear about this and good luck. May you have a safe and fast recovery.

[jogoat99]

I know what it's like. I spent about 6-7 weeks recouping after my retinal detachment. The first operation, in the eye doctor's office, was a cryo procedure that only lasted 3 weeks. Then I too had a vitrectomy, in the hospital, which required about 3-4 weeks of recouping time. It was a miserable time as I couldn't read, watch tv, or use a computer very much. I also had to spend 5 minutes out of every 30 looking down so that the lens in my eye wouldn't dry out and give me cataract. I also had to sleep on my left side during this whole time. Thankfully everything worked out great and I've had no trouble this summer even after a couple of vicious face plants.

[raythompson]

Eye Problems

Wow, that must have been some serious stuff. My vitrectomy was done in the doctors office and only took about an hour including preparation. The only problem I had was the retina detachment that was quickly solved. Two consequtive days of getting zapped and I was back to normal. I did not have to sleep or remain in any special positions. Sounds like they left an air bubble to help the retina and that requires certain positions be maintained.

They knocked me out to deaden the eye then woke me up for the surgery. I got to watch although I was not fully with it. I think I said some stupid things to the doctor.

It is simply amazing what they can do with eyes. Especially when they catch the problems early. I am a proponent of the yearly eye exam by an opthomologist and not just an optometrist.

[jogoat99]

You're right they put a gas bubble in my eye during the surgery. I was awake for almost all of the surgery, except when they punched the hole in my eye to do the vitrectomy. The whole operation took 1 hour and there was no pain, but it wasn't pleasant, especially when I could see the needles and instruments inside my eye.

[Duncan]

^^^
Yikes. Is being out an option? If so, I think I would opt for it

[raythompson]

Vitrectomy

They put me out to deaden my eye. Apparently they have to go behind the eye to get some nerve and that is very painful and uncomfortable. I remember being in the prep room and the nurse starting an IV. The doctor arrives and says a couple of things and the next thing I know I am in the operating room.

I was awake, sort of, while the did the procedure. There were three holes in my eye, one for the sucker, one to replenish the fluid, and one for the light. There were no stitches involved. The actual procedure was less than 15 minutes.

For the cataract surgery there will only be a local. I have watched videos on the web. There is only one slit involved. They break up and remove the old lens, and insert the new lens through the same opening. It also appears the procedure should only take less than 15 minutes.

The colonoscopy was really the run one. I was given a general anesthesia and a amnesia drug. I remember nothing about the procedure. I do remember waking up and talking with the doctor after it was over. I do not remember getting dressed with the help of my wife or leaving the building. According to the wife I was awake, talking, and acting normal. But I have absolutely no memory of the event.

My aunt had a general for her cataract surgery because she has dementia and would not remain still. In most cases a general is an option of last choice because there can be complications.

I will be given some Valium and of course the eye will be deadened. I should be cleared to drive by the next day. And it does get me a couple of days off from work.

[Lucky 275]

Hmmm, Do you have hairy palms?

[raythompson]

Eye Surgery Results

Well the surgery is over and the results are absolutely amazing. I found out that my color perception was off because of the cataracts. The new lens which is absolutely clear now shows the true colors. Whites are whiter, blues are bluer, colors are more vivid.

Because of this there is now an imbalance as my right eye has the beginnings of a cataract. I am going to have the right eye done in November.

The procedure was trivial, less than 10 minutes. The prep was longer. An IV was used to administer some drugs to relax so I felt nothing and only have a spotty memory of the event.

My insurance deductible is met and I will reach my yearly out of pocket this year. So getting the other eye done this year will save me some significant bucks. Got to use those insurance dollars.

Bottom line, if you need it, git er done. It is well worth it.

[G-MONEY]

sweet!!!!!!!!

[evil0ne]

Congrats, vision is one sense not to take for granted.

[raythompson]

Vision

How true. I cannot overemphasize the importance of seeing an eye doctor, not an optometrist, but a real doctor, once a year to catch and correct vision problems. The technology is wonderful and well advanced.

The lenses are custom made for each individual with measurements taken by a computer that never touches the eye. There were no stitches. When I left the surgery center the vision was blurry but there was no patch over they eye. 24 hours later the blurriness is gone.

I was given some relaxing drugs via an IV so I have little memory of the actual procedure. There was no discomfort, no pain, nothing. It just happened.

If you ever need cataract surgery do not hesitate to have it done. You will never regret it.

[jwanck11]

Aewsome!!! glad to hear that it went over so well!!!

[da.bell]

Glad to hear that everything went well.

[evil0ne]

How true. I cannot overemphasize the importance of seeing an eye doctor, not an optometrist, but a real doctor, once a year to catch and correct vision problems. The technology is wonderful and well advanced.

I have to disagree with you on that statement. My mom is an optometrist and has all of the technology needed to diagnose standard ocular diseases. If she sees something out of the ordinary she will refer to a specialist.

[21TigeToGo]

I am glad that it went well for you. I keep defering it but will soon need it for near vision and newa like yours helps with the motivation.