Instead of getting a special face-down pillow with a space cut out for your face, you can
arrange a large towel into a horseshoe shape
to support your head as you sleep. You can also place trays on top of pillows or bean bags to make a useful surface for eating, reading or using a laptop or tablet.
How long do you have to lay face down after retina surgery?
Patients having vitreo-retinal surgery for a macular hole will need to posture face down for
14 days
; for other conditions this is only necessary for 5 days.
How should I sleep after retinal surgery?
It is recommended to
sleep on either side or even your front
, but not sleep on your back as that would make the bubble move away from the macular hole.
Can I watch TV after retinal detachment?
During the recovery period,
patients should avoid certain activities including watching TV, driving
and heavy lifting. Patients with nonactive jobs can typically return to work after two weeks. If not treated quickly, a retinal detachment can cause partial or total vision loss so prompt treatment is essential.
Can you watch TV after retinal detachment surgery?
Watching TV and reading
will cause no harm
. Your vision will remain blurred / poor for several weeks. Often the vision is distorted after surgery. This will vary depending on the type of operation, e.g. if a gas bubble is inserted into the eye, as the bubble shrinks you might see the edge of the bubble.
Why do I have to keep my head down after retinal surgery?
After the retina has been treated,
the space in your eye is refilled with
a gas bubble or silicone oil to help the retina reattach or the hole to close. Keeping your head in this face down position allows the bubble or oil to remain in the correct position so it heals as quickly and effectively as possible.
Can you see the gas bubble in your eye?
When the gas bubble is down to half size, you
will see a horizontal line across your vision
, bobbing up and down with head movement. This is where the gas meets the fluid which is gradually replacing it. It is just like a spirit level. You will have sight above this line, and blackness below it.
Are headaches common after retinal surgery?
It is NOT normal to experience severe pain after surgery. Severe pain of the eye, a severe headache, nausea or vomiting should be reported to your surgeon.
How long does it take for gas bubble to disappear after vitrectomy?
By the first postoperative week, there is typically a 60% gas bubble remaining.
By 2 weeks postoperatively
, the bubble is gone.
Will glasses help after retinal detachment?
Glasses may or may not help with vision after surgery
. The retina is very similar to the film in a camera. It has to be healthy to get a clear picture. In a camera with damaged film, having a more powerful lens on the front of the camera may not result in a clear picture.
How high can a gas bubble in eye go?
Conclusion: It seems that patients with a complete fill of intraocular gas after pars plana vitrectomy may travel safely by land through mountains with a
peak ascent of 3895 feet
, final ascent of 2787 feet, and a mean rate of 29 ft/min.
How long does it take for eye to heal after retinal detachment surgery?
You will need
2 to 4 weeks
to recover before returning to your normal activities. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace.
How long does eye stay red after retinal surgery?
Swelling is normal for about one-two weeks after surgery and will gradually decrease. Swelling may worsen or last longer if you are instructed to maintain any face-down positioning after surgery by the doctor. The eye will be red after surgery. You should see the redness gradually decreasing over the next
3 to 4 weeks
.
What precautions should be taken after retinal detachment surgery?
Always keep your hands clean and avoid rubbing or touching your eye
. Follow and adhere to the prescription of the eye drops. Make use of eye shield for at least one week post operation. Always use clean and fresh tissue to clean the eye surface.
Does vision improve after vitrectomy?
For most people undergoing a vitrectomy, activity is slowed down for a few days following surgery.
Vision improvement could take several weeks to a few months
, and it is important to not be alarmed by blurry vision. If a gas bubble has been injected into the eye, it will hinder normal focusing until it dissolves.
What happens to gas bubble after vitrectomy?
If your doctor used a gas bubble, avoid airplane travel until your doctor tells you it is safe. This is because
the change in altitude may cause
the gas bubble to expand and increase the pressure inside the eye. You will probably need to take 2 to 4 weeks off from work.
