posted
My recent loss of vision in left eye was diagnosed yesterday as a retinal detachment in conjunction with the lyme. I am being scheduled for surgery next week and will have to remain face down in bed for a week for the gas bubble to seal the leak in the eye. Doctor not sure on the extent of recovery. Anybody who has had eye surgery advice appreciated and all to be kept in your prayers. Thanks!!!!
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Skater,
No experience to offer, but you will be in my prayers.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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-------------------- Raymond Leave the gun, take the cannolis Posts: 214 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Nov 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Sandy; gosh darn it; it just does not let up on you does it!
i'll send you a REGULAR email; my former co-worker had retinal detachment eye surgery either once or twice! she ended up with SARCOIDOSIS; our sister spirochette disease; coincidental!
With her sarc, she's lost 60-75% of her lung capacity. I'm pretty sure, after this eye surgery, she was NOT bothered again.
She's a very helpful lady. last month spent 3 weeks in mayo clinic hospitals in rochester for other lung problems.
if she doesn't get back to you immediately, that's why! she's still recouping from this long ordeal!
she didn't go yesterday to our co-worker's RETIREMENT PARTY and it was snowing, so she is NOT well or SHE would have been there with her Norwegian pastries!!
You bet you are in my thoughts and prayers, and let us know the date and time of surgery as time permits for you!!
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posted
My husband had a partial retinal detachment last year and had to walk around with his head tilted to one side for 6 weeks so that the bubble would not move.
He also had to sleep a certain way so that his eye could heal and it did. He sees floaters in that eye but that is the extent of the damage. He also took a lot of supplements for the eye from the health food store. Hope this helps!
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
My husband had a partial retinal detachment last year and had to walk around with his head tilted to one side for 6 weeks so that the bubble would not move.
He also had to sleep a certain way so that his eye could heal and it did. He sees floaters in that eye but that is the extent of the damage. He also took a lot of supplements for the eye from the health food store. Hope this helps!
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Sandy thinking of you. You are one of the kindest people I know.
Hoping all goes well.
God bless
Melissa Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
That sounds frightening. Laying face down for a week would be next to impossible for me. Sending you best wishes for a successful procedure.
May I ask, did you have a lot of other eye problems w/Lyme before this recent loss of vision?
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
skater, you must have received a note back from my co-worker; it was ANOTHER eye problem she had.
skater's eye sight was good until lyme hit her; she can tell you her story! so it's really done a number on her, and no one can figure out why!!
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-------------------- pingpong Posts: 361 | From At the Pingpong Tournament | Registered: Oct 2007
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Iceskater, so sorry to see you vision problems becoming so bad that you've actually lost use of that eye. I've had tons of vision issues for many years due to lyme & company.
My eye doctors watch me very carefully and have seen some major eye problems come and go during the last 9 yrs. By that I mean good vision check ups and bad vision check ups.
My newest eye doctor in Dec seen some thinning in retina of one eye. I took him a copy of NJ Lyme Disease Association write up on vision and tick borne illnesses in January.
My March appt he was much more concerned about my vision issues, meds, follow thru on my part and calling them as soon as anything changes for check up. He gets it.
I'm wishing you great results with your surgery. I'm blessed to say I've never had to experience eye surgery. Good luck & may you have a great eye doc.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
up for weekenders to read and comment IF having this problem worked on; thx !
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
sandi, what day is yoour surgery scheduled for? *******************************************
also, have you tried phyllis' yahoo groups? i'll post it here for you.
People seeking doctors in certain states might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Over 1500 people belong to these state groups. Many of the groups are small but quite a few have 20 or more people on them.
Type your state name and lyme as one word, e.g. newyorklyme
For SC, SD, ND and WY, put a hyphen between the statename and lyme, e.g. northdakota-lyme
The groups are moderated so you have to apply, and we don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately.
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Definition A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position in the back of the eye. The retina sends visual images to the brain through the optic nerve. When detachment occurs, vision is blurred. A detached retina is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless it is treated.
The retina normally lies smoothly and firmly against the inside back wall of the eyeball and functions much like the film in the back of a camera. Millions of light-sensitive retinal cells receive optical images, instantly "develop" them, and send them on to the brain to be seen. If any part of the retina is lifted or pulled from its normal position, it is considered detached and will cause some vision loss.
The vitreous is the clear collagen gel that fills the back of the eye between the retina and the lens. As we get older the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Usually the vitreous separates from the retina without causing a problem. But sometimes the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places. Fluid may pass through the retinal tear and lift the retina off the back of the eye like wallpaper can peel off a wall.
Retinal detachment can occur at any age, but it is more common in midlife and later. Conditions that can increase the chance of a retinal detachment include nearsightedness; previous cataract surgery; glaucoma; severe trauma; previous retinal detachment in your other eye; family history of retinal detachment; or weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your ophthalmologist.
Symptoms
Floaters Gray curtain or veil moving across your field of vision
The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have a detached retina. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor for a complete exam.
Treatment Retinal tears will usually need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), to seal the retina to the back wall of the eye again. These treatments cause little or no discomfort and may be performed in your ophthalmologist's office. This treatment will usually prevent progression to a retinal detachment. Occasionally retinal tears are watched without treatment.
Retinal detachments may require surgery to return the retina to its proper position in the back of the eye. There are several ways to fix a detached retina. The decision of which type of surgery and anesthesia (local or general) to use depends upon the characteristics of the retinal detachment. In each of the following methods, your ophthalmologist will locate any retinal tears and use laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing) around them to seal the tear. Yours below Pneumatic retinopexy describes the injection of a gas bubble into the vitreous space inside the eye enabling the gas bubble to push the retinal tear back against the wall of the eye and close the tear. Laser or cryo-surgery is used to secure the retina to the eye wall around the retinal tear. Your ophthalmologist will ask you to maintain a certain head position for several days. The gas bubble will gradually disappear. Sometimes this procedure can be done in the ophthalmologist's office.
A scleral buckle or flexible band is placed around the equator of the eye to counterbalance any force pulling the retina out of place. Often the ophthalmologist will drain the fluid from under the detached retina allowing the retina to return back to its normal position against the back wall of the eye. This procedure is performed in the operating room, usually on an outpatient basis.
Vitrectomy may be necessary to remove any vitreous gel which is pulling on the retina. This may also be necessary if the vitreous is to be replaced with a gas bubble. Your body's own fluids will gradually replace this gas bubble, but the vitreous gel does not return. Sometimes a vitrectomy may be combined with a scleral buckle.
After Surgery You can expect some discomfort after retinal surgery. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe any necessary medications for you and advise you when to resume normal activity. You will need to wear an eye patch for a short time. If a gas bubble was placed in the eye, your ophthalmologist may recommend that you keep your head in special positions for a time. A change of glasses may be necessary after the retina has been reattached.
What Are The Risks Of Surgery? Any surgery has risks; however, an untreated retinal detachment will usually result in permanent severe vision loss or blindness. Some of these surgical risks include infection; bleeding; high pressure inside the eye; or cataract. Most retinal detachment surgery is successful, although a second operation is sometimes needed. If the retina cannot be reattached, the eye will continue to lose sight and ultimately become blind.
Will Your Vision Improve? Vision may take many months to improve and in some cases may never fully return. Unfortunately, some patients, particularly those with chronic retinal detachment, do not recover any vision. The more severe the detachment, and the longer it has been present, the less vision may be expected to return. For this reason, it is very important to see your ophthalmologist at the first sign of trouble.
The retina specialists at the Kellogg Eye Center have particular expertise in the treatment of retinal detachments. Our surgeons have extensive experience in the surgical repair of primary and complex retinal detachments, including those caused by diabetes, ocular inflammation, infection and developmental abnormalities.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Hello everyone,
I posted in general. Iceskater's surgery is/was today.
I dont have anymore info now, as Im sure she is recovering.
So, head over there and add some healing/well wishes.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Those with retinitis or retinal issues, may want to get tested for CMV.....you can google "cmv retinitis"....CMV is a very common virus in those with tick-borne illnesses.....
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
tree, thanks for the detailed post about retinal detachment; too bad skater didn't get a chance to read it.
she sent me a note around 6 am telling of her surgery today, and she will have to lay FACE DOWN FOR 2 ENTIRE WEEKS.
when she can, she will post a note when she's able to sit up.
send her prayers galore for all she has been going thru these past 2 years please! thanks!
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by bettyg: tree, thanks for the detailed post about retinal detachment; too bad skater didn't get a chance to read it.
she sent me a note around 6 am telling of her surgery today, and she will have to lay FACE DOWN FOR 2 ENTIRE WEEKS.
when she can, she will post a note when she's able to sit up.
send her prayers galore for all she has been going thru these past 2 years please! thanks!
This why I posted this too bad she didnt read it first the bubble thing is old school!
I am having trouble with my left eye I have had two seperate sets of floaters in the past 1.5 months I go today to another eye Dr who can see the 25 % remaining with a machine the other eye dr couldnt see . So Iam concerned more than usual I have come to find out that floaters in normal people could mean torn retna.
These floaters are not like the ones I had with the lyme these are stationary and the first set took over two weeks to disolve the second set eye still have. They are black and not transparent little dot one bigger one smaller.
Thanks for the
CMV is a very common virus in those with tick-borne illnesses Info Treatment Retinal tears will usually need to be treated with laser surgery or cryotherapy (freezing), to seal the retina to the back wall of the eye again. These treatments cause little or no discomfort and may be performed in your ophthalmologist's office.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Gee, I wonder why people with TBD have so many eye problems? Must have something to do with the trauma done to the eye, eye layers, eye parts over the years?
My goodness, let's ignore the cause and move right into surgery and hope we can save our vision.
I'm sorry this just makes my point on this site sometimes. You are in charge of your own health. If you are under eighteen and living at home with a legal guardian, they are in charge of your health and well being.
I would not stay with an eye doctor who doesn't take my eye problems serious and follow-up with my medical history. My eye problems are a direct result of my illness for the last 10 yrs.
I took a copy (2 pieces of paper) of NJ Lyme Disease Association pamphlet to my new eye doctor (2nd visit, for 2 week contact rx change) after I realized he didn't get lyme disease dx at all.
My vision had changed in two weeks of using anti-inflammatory drop meds in my eyes. He understood then that the illness was directly connected to my vision. So he changed my rx contacts again.
Back in within 3 mths of anti-inflammatory drops daily. Vision and eye testing looked okay again. Anti-inflammatory meds in my eyes are part of my treatment for TBD's.
I trust this eye doctor and myself to do the right thing to ensure that I don't have to go thru something as traumatic as eye surgery to prevent blindness.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
tree, hope your eye appt. went well today, and they were able to tell you SPECIFICALLY what is going on with your eyes; update us as time permits please!
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Yep eye appt went well except today4,3,08 at 7am eyes are still dilated they gave me stronger dose 3 sets drops of stronger dilator of the dilating drops so they could see the retna better. The Eye Dr said my eyes are in great shape ill be 50 tomorrow anyway came to work eyes still dilated today he said it might take a few days this was stronger stuff so he really looked over retnas both eyes. The viscus has had some age related breakdown I think its caused by lyme anyway thats the little black dots they should disapate in another 2 weeks.
Boy Iam sure glad the retnas are great in his words and pressures are great and they tested my eyes again and I couldnt even hardly make out top line then they did the little look through the tiny hole thing and I had better than 20/20. Thats through the holes.
I asked him if the b12 intrinsic factor problem i had could have caused the eyes to breakdown and he said it is possible. So now Iam thinking me having the lack of b12 absorbtion caused that and when I started taking it by injection that my body started healing and the black dots broke free from where ever they were to float in my viscus fluid. Theory
Anyway I hope icescaters operation went well.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Very interesting info Tree. Thanks for your reminder all the time on B-12. I see a post from you on B-12, I want to jump up and go do a hit of it.
I really need to try the injections. I'm such a needle baby.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
tree, thanks for update on your eye appt. and what you found out.
i'll go find your bd thread before i forget about it! lol
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
sandi called me today! she can now sit up for awhile, and her back/hips hurt so bad from laying face down that 1-1.5 weeks after her surgery.
she can see colors/light out of operated eye and it's very blurry and feels it will remain that way BUT SO GREATFUL that she sees more than before!!!
she said the 1st night after surgery was so painful; pure hell; but each day got better.
she's going this weekend to get a new kitty or kitties replace those that died recently; looking forward to her outing.
sandi, it was so good talking to you today!!
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
thanks for the update Betty!
Im so excited for her getting those new kitties :-)
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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