[smed]

what is the actual procedure? (I know there are some threads to this already,pls skip this question, if u want.)
Any variation of recovery time based on different procedures? Any difference in procedure for a proliferative diabetic retinopathy with a diffuse (I think non-active) bleeding into the vitreous gel. A waiting period of two months for reabsorption is done--but with no results.

Are we to consider cataract, lens-- IOL. And photocoagulation laser for the proliferative DR to be done at the same time? For feasibility?

Thank you contributors.

[JediSurfer]

I remember my father having both cataracts replaced about 8 years ago and he said it was completely pain free and was amazed by the improvement in his vision regarding colour and clarity.

[SharonB]

I had a vitrectomy on 5/29/07 because of diabetic retinopathy. I had two bleeders that looked like twin tornados in the path of my central vision. They then moved over to the corner of my eye-my doc said it is like somebody pulling at your shirt and twisting it. My recommendation is when you start seeing stuff like bleeders or floaters is to have your eyes checked-do not mess around! The yearly dilated eye exam is very important. I went for yearly eye exams since I found out I had diabetes-so I started beating myself up-should've had tighter control, etc. My doc said this just happens to people with diabetes.
I am scheduled for another vitrectomy in two weeks because my retina started pulling away-this time it is something that is nondiabetic related. Oh well, do the best I can!

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by smed

what is the actual procedure? (I know there are some threads to this already,pls skip this question, if u want.)
Any variation of recovery time based on different procedures? Any difference in procedure for a proliferative diabetic retinopathy with a diffuse (I think non-active) bleeding into the vitreous gel. A waiting period of two months for reabsorption is done--but with no results.

Are we to consider cataract, lens-- IOL. And photocoagulation laser for the proliferative DR to be done at the same time? For feasibility?

Thank you contributors.

I'll start from the bottom. I think cataracts could be done easily. They wouldn't bother with laser for proliferative. Your proliferation is obviously extensive, so you are looking at maybe 3,000 blasts. At a rate of 1000 blasts per hour it's a waste of a whole surgical unit. They'll get your optho to do it later.

The procedure in point form:
-arrive at hospital
-sign a form
-change into gowns. That's gowns, no need to be bare bummed for eye surgery
-pre-op tests and questioning. Light feel-good drugs and an IV portal.
-wheel you to OR and you jump on the bed.
-2 ugly men and an uglier woman strap you down tightly. Don't panic, it's just the drugs.
-cover over everything but eye
-plug in IV with better drugs
-"hold still!" "OWWW" "Ice cream headache"
-stuff happens
-wake up to high drama:
you see the back of your eye in bright contrasting black and white
you see a little vacuum hose sucking in the blood, it's very cool, you're very high. (Not everyone sees it)
ow, ow, ow the green zap monster is attacking you! But again it's cool, you're still very high.
-they apply pressure (sutchers)
-they strip off the covers and undo the bindings and tell you to get up
-they wheel you out
-you sit in a chair and tell the next guy it was fun!
-they make sure your fine
-Doc comes in and says how it went
-they give you a patch, a prescription, and instructions
-they give you the boot
total time 2hrs.

[Mogrann]

I have had floaters as long as I can remember. EVERY eye doctor I have seen says they are nothing and not to worry ( I had them years and years before being diagnosed with diabetes). After reading this thread I am concerned. Should I go to a different eye doctor, I am speaking in reference to the one that does the yearly exam for diabetics?

I am posting this as someone mentioned floaters in one of their answers. I am new to this diabetes stuff and taking an active role in my health and am sorry if this is a dumb question but am trying to learn from the more experienced people.

Thank you to all who answer I do appreciate peoples patience with me and all of my questions.

Susan

[SharonB]

From my understanding, they make an incision in the white part of the eye. Drain the vitreous fluid. My retina was torn toward the bridge of my nose/corner of my eye. They put in a gas bubble, they have oil bubbles too depends what the surgeon prefers. I had to wear a green wrist band saying I had a gas bubble in my eye in case I showed up at the ER for something. They tell you not to remove the wrist band until it is gone. The body supposedly dissolves the bubble like a self dissolving suture. That is supposed to take 7 to 10 days. I started seeing seeing movement like a hand waving the following day after surgery, I seen shapes and sometimes people walking toward me out of the periferial part of my eye within a week. about two weeks later I started actually seeing things-it all depended on the lighting in the room, etc. I was able to read words such as on the bottom of the TV screen within the month after the surgery.
Going backwards, they did do the laser treatments at the time of the victrectomy. I had the same laser treatments on my other eye the week afterwards. I was able to see once I took the patch off two hours later. that was an "Oh my God" moment.
I would persist about doing something about your eyes. I told my doc that wouldn't do anything cause "we gotta wait to see how this pans out" that "I am not going to sit around and be blind, refer me to a retinologist" and he did. We are our own doctors for sure! The eye that had the vitrectomy had two bleeders that happened at the same time and it was scary as ****-so I stood up for myself. My retinologist/surgeon said he was glad that I came in when I did because I was going to lose sight in that eye the rate it was going!
Last week my vision in my surgery eye was worsening, so I called them up and got back in. I have to have another victrectomy in two weeks. The retina is starting to pull away, so the surgeon is putting in a scleral buckle to support the eye. Anything like sneezing or straining can cause the retina away-not diabetes related. My allergies are really bad.
You are welcome and take care! Sharon B

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by SharonB

Going backwards, they did do the laser treatments at the time of the victrectomy. I had the same laser treatments on my other eye the week afterwards.

I had laser during mine to seal the hemhorraging vessels. I still don't think they'd do photocoagulation for proliferative during a vitrectomy; it's just too much work, too expensive, and a needless use of an OR.

[SharonB]

On my med proceedure thing I got from the doctor, it was a Vitrectomy and an Endo laser. I had an Argon laser on my other eye and it seemed to help some but not enough. I had the endo laser the following week after the vitrectomy and endo laser treatment. It took about two hours.
I don't remember much because I asked to be completely knocked out. The doc told my mom who was there on the day of surgery that he talked to me at various times during the surgery to check in and I answered appropriately. It was kindof scary what I actually said in my sleep because I am a sleep talker. I just woke up so tired and i remember saying that.
Soon, the I gotta pee thought came to notion then I woke up.
They seemed so good to me, I felt pretty safe anyway!
I had a surgery once and they put a warmed blanket on me, full body and didn't like it. I sleep pretty warm and that was not a comfort!

[jlnesvold]

I had one last year on my right eye. I think of it as a transmission flush for your eye. I remember nothing of the surgery itself, as they knoecked me out, but I remember the week of uncomfortableness that followed. I ahd to put several different types od drops and ointments in there, cover it all with an eye patch, and sleep sitting up. He actually made three small incisions in the eye, and stitched them up afterwards. It was pretty miserable. My vision is not back to where it was before the retinopathy was discovered.

[xMenace]

I think afterwards was more uncomfortable than the procedure itself. My patch wasn't going to last long until I realized my wife likes to swing her elbows at night. My vision is 20/20, but it is nowhere near the same 'quality'. Taking drops was very tedious, but you dare not skip them. I think I was on drops well into 4 months.

[KickStart101]

Originally Posted by SharonB

From my understanding, they make an incision in the white part of the eye. Drain the vitreous fluid. My retina was torn toward the bridge of my nose/corner of my eye. They put in a gas bubble, they have oil bubbles too depends what the surgeon prefers. I had to wear a green wrist band saying I had a gas bubble in my eye in case I showed up at the ER for something. They tell you not to remove the wrist band until it is gone. The body supposedly dissolves the bubble like a self dissolving suture. That is supposed to take 7 to 10 days. I started seeing seeing movement like a hand waving the following day after surgery, I seen shapes and sometimes people walking toward me out of the periferial part of my eye within a week. about two weeks later I started actually seeing things-it all depended on the lighting in the room, etc. I was able to read words such as on the bottom of the TV screen within the month after the surgery.
Going backwards, they did do the laser treatments at the time of the victrectomy. I had the same laser treatments on my other eye the week afterwards. I was able to see once I took the patch off two hours later. that was an "Oh my God" moment.
I would persist about doing something about your eyes. I told my doc that wouldn't do anything cause "we gotta wait to see how this pans out" that "I am not going to sit around and be blind, refer me to a retinologist" and he did. We are our own doctors for sure! The eye that had the vitrectomy had two bleeders that happened at the same time and it was scary as ****-so I stood up for myself. My retinologist/surgeon said he was glad that I came in when I did because I was going to lose sight in that eye the rate it was going!
Last week my vision in my surgery eye was worsening, so I called them up and got back in. I have to have another victrectomy in two weeks. The retina is starting to pull away, so the surgeon is putting in a scleral buckle to support the eye. Anything like sneezing or straining can cause the retina away-not diabetes related. My allergies are really bad.
You are welcome and take care! Sharon B

Oiy, my God! What you've been through Sharon.
I'm....in AWE!! Heavy prayers that they do
an Excellent job on your next Vitrectomy.
Good Luck...Take Care.

[SharonB]

Thanx Kickstart, I see you have some years on me being 'betic! My sister and I were tagteaming-she was diagnosed a few years ahead of me, must of beeen '77, I was diagnosed in '79. we would ride our bikes to the medical arts clinic for our monthly "sugar" test, get *****ed at later the day...We knew the routine very well...say "Yes, sir, we will try harder" at what every we were doing.
i didn't get my first glucometer until the mid 80's. Kids now have it easier. I had my glucometer but didn't know what it was supposed to mean except I gotta test and write it down.
Well 28 years and no 'betic problems is good so what I heard. I think those telling us what 'betics should do should walk a mile in our shoes! Until then, I will do the best I can to be in control! Thanks for your support! it is appreciated! Sharon B

[Jibbi]

What is "normal" or expected time to get back on your feet after a vitrectomy? My Doc has stated 2 weeks off of work? I know my eyes are important, but so is the roof over my head. Is this accurate?

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by Jibbi

What is "normal" or expected time to get back on your feet after a vitrectomy? My Doc has stated 2 weeks off of work? I know my eyes are important, but so is the roof over my head. Is this accurate?

I was told six weeks but was back in four. You can probably do it in two, but with absolutely no lifting or strenuous activity for 4 months. It really hurt this winter not to be able to shovel snow or lug in firewood

[jlnesvold]

I took one whole week off work, but I work in radio, so there's really no stress (*cough*BULL*cough*).