Does vitrectomy decrease chances of Retinal Detachment?

[MinimedPumper07]

Also does it decrease chances of seeing sparks that are caused by vitreous tugging on retina? Do I have that right?

[mageerobin]

My doc told me that as we get older the vitreous gel decreases in it's volume. Imagine turning a gallon of water upside down and pouring it down the drain. As it goes out it pulls the side of the container in. My left eye was doing this some years ago and tearing the scar tissue from the laser treatments. Since having the procedure, I have not had any more bleeders in that eye.
The drawback is that eye is always bloodshot and people think I have been smoking pot.
So if it stopped the teqaring the scar tissue, it should decrease the tearing of the retina.

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DOCTOR NOR DO I PLAY ONE ON TV.

[xMenace]

Also does it decrease chances of seeing sparks that are caused by vitreous tugging on retina? Do I have that right?


It depends on why you are having it. If it's just for floaters, no, I don't think so. If it's because of neo-vascular hemorrhaging, then probably. I can't tell you what they are, but there are many factors at work here. Unfortunately for some, it makes little diference. Their vision and maybe even eye are going no matter what. Generally it is a very successful, vision saving procedure.

Qualifications: I have a cousin that's a nurse practitioner.

[Mich]

Hi MMP,

I think John is correct. There are so many factors involved, it's tough to put the finger on one of them. The research I have done on retinal detachment came up with a few published papers that seemed to indicate a connection between Avastin injection and possible retinal detachment. Otherwise, sometimes messing with the eye does it, or a blow to the head, or nothing at all.

The pulling of the vitreous sack away from the retina does put traction on the retina. Most people weather the process as they grow older and never have a retinal detachment. It's only us diabetics who are lucky enough to have neovascular growth into our vitreous. VEGF causes it because our retinas are not getting enough oxygen due to poor circulation. Good control lesssens the possibility that this will happen.

My ggmother, my grandpa's mom is the only other diabetic in our family. She died when I was very young, before the onset of my diabetes. She was "blind." She described her blindness to my mom as "like looking through heavily smoked glass." That sounds to me like she had neovascular growth that ruptured and that if they had known how to do vitrectomies in the 30's and 40's, she probably would have been able to see. It also tells me that there may be a genetic component involved in my diabetic eye problems.

There are many people on this board who have had vitrectomies and have had excellent results with no complications. I think my outcome was pretty rare. Also, I'd like to point out I'm still reading and painting, albeit with glasses and bright lights.

You've mentioned your annoyance with floaters enough times that they seem like a problem for you. Your chances are very good to have an excellent outcome, but of course we never know. If I were you, I'd probably get them fixed if the doctor says he/she thinks it will be a good long term result. The doctor has seen lots of these, I've seen only three ;) .

Deep breath. Go outdoors and look at some trees. Breathe. I know the time before any medical procedure is nerve-wracking.

Here's another hug.

Mich

[MinimedPumper07]

Thanks Mich and everyone. Maybe I am just super paranoid....:/

[xMenace]

Eye-Floaters.com • Treating Eye Floaters • Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) & Floater Only Vitrectomy (http://www.eye-floaters.com/treatingfloaters-vitrectomy.php)

Cripes. They even have a forum for them: Eye Floaters Information Centre - Floaters Only Vitrectomy (FOV) board (http://eyefloatersinfo.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=vitrec)

Florida guy (http://www.vitreousfloaters.com/home.html) A link at the botom discussing risks. Are you near Florida? This guys seems to prefer his lasers.