Sharon Fowler Ellis said...
Hey, I just started a blog about my own experience (in layman's terms) with a macular hole. I'm on day 9 after surgery.http://sharelli.blogspot.com/
August 15, 2009 3:22 PM
Thanks Sharon! I know you will get some hits! I didn't see your name in The Kelly Comfort Solutions customer rental database, but it sounds like you found the equipment you got helpful. I am as glad you found it helpful as you are glad you don't need it any more!
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
my little window to the world
I had my operation 4 days ago and have been advised to face down 50 min out of every hour...I'm 38 years old and must admit I would have gone out of my mind if it wasn't for my iPhone-been able to watch films use Internet and control my pc all from my little window to the world...mind you, it doesn't stop the agony of back and neck ache, only 10 days to go...lol peter
Peter:
Ain't technology grand? Did you look into anything to help you maintain your position? If not, you may want to check out www.kellycomfort.com and give me a call. Maybe I can help!
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Peter:
Ain't technology grand? Did you look into anything to help you maintain your position? If not, you may want to check out www.kellycomfort.com and give me a call. Maybe I can help!
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Thursday, July 30, 2009
What vision can I expect after surgery?
I'm schedule to have surgery 8/10 and have gotten the support system to make the 1 week initial recovery time go by much easier. What should I expect after the surgery is over? I presently have a slight central vision blind spot and remaining vision is very blurry. Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
Visual outcome after macular hole repair is difficult to predict. Generally your surgeon would not offer the surgery if he/she did not think there could be visual improvemnet. Macular hole repair will only affect the central vision; if your peripheral vision is blurry due to another disease process it is unlikely to get better. For those that get the "pinched together in the middle" effect on the Amsler Grid, it is hoped the distortion will be significantly decreased. Those with a full thickness hole causing a central scotoma or blind spot can hope for central vision to return, ideally to a well functioning level. So many factors determine what any individual outcome will be - your surgeon should be able to provide you with his best estimate.
And don't forget, your vision will be WORSE immediately after the surgery due to the bubble. You will start to note improvement aas the bubble reabsorbs.
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Dear Anonymous:
Visual outcome after macular hole repair is difficult to predict. Generally your surgeon would not offer the surgery if he/she did not think there could be visual improvemnet. Macular hole repair will only affect the central vision; if your peripheral vision is blurry due to another disease process it is unlikely to get better. For those that get the "pinched together in the middle" effect on the Amsler Grid, it is hoped the distortion will be significantly decreased. Those with a full thickness hole causing a central scotoma or blind spot can hope for central vision to return, ideally to a well functioning level. So many factors determine what any individual outcome will be - your surgeon should be able to provide you with his best estimate.
And don't forget, your vision will be WORSE immediately after the surgery due to the bubble. You will start to note improvement aas the bubble reabsorbs.
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Macular Hole after previous surgery
Hi I will be having this procedure done on September 2. As you can imagine, I am very nervous as I have had problems with my eys for many years. I am 57 and after I gave birth to my daughter in 1983 I was diagnosed with a detached retina in my right eye. A scleral buckling and sponge procedure was done at that time. In 1996 I developed cateracts in both eyes and had lens implants. Now I have a MH in my right eye. I can see ok at a distance, etc. but cannot read well unless I close that eye. I am so nervous about my eyesight. If the procedure does not take, will I lose what eyesight I have now in my right eye and will this procedure, in fact, make it worse? Thank you for any input.
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
The surgery to repair your macular hole will be a little different from the procedure you had done years ago for the detached retina. Of the two surgeries, and of the two problems for that matter, the macular hole and its repair is the preferable. It is still a delicate surgery but success rate is very high. The fact that you have had previous retinal surgery makes you different from the majority of MH repairs and your retina surgeon would be the best source of information about what your particular prognosis is. Unless you have the unfortunate luck to get an infection in the eye it is very unlikely that your vision would get any worse even if the surgery does not repair the hole. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Vitrectomy Support Equipment Rentals
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
The surgery to repair your macular hole will be a little different from the procedure you had done years ago for the detached retina. Of the two surgeries, and of the two problems for that matter, the macular hole and its repair is the preferable. It is still a delicate surgery but success rate is very high. The fact that you have had previous retinal surgery makes you different from the majority of MH repairs and your retina surgeon would be the best source of information about what your particular prognosis is. Unless you have the unfortunate luck to get an infection in the eye it is very unlikely that your vision would get any worse even if the surgery does not repair the hole. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Vitrectomy Support Equipment Rentals
Monday, June 8, 2009
Anonymous said...
I had surgery for a macular pucker and surgeon fixed a small macular hole 11 days ago. The bubble is a small semi circle now and I can see over it. I have small black dots floating around, still have noticable double vision and wavy horizonal lines. Is this to be expected?
June 8, 2009 9:28 AM
Dear Anonymous:
It is difficult to determine what your final vision will be like until the bubble is gone. While everyones experience is a little different, almost everyone notices being able to see "over the bubble" and many see the dots you mention. The bubble itself is distorting and cause your other complaints but be sure to mention all of this to your surgeon when you see him/her!
Toni
I had surgery for a macular pucker and surgeon fixed a small macular hole 11 days ago. The bubble is a small semi circle now and I can see over it. I have small black dots floating around, still have noticable double vision and wavy horizonal lines. Is this to be expected?
June 8, 2009 9:28 AM
Dear Anonymous:
It is difficult to determine what your final vision will be like until the bubble is gone. While everyones experience is a little different, almost everyone notices being able to see "over the bubble" and many see the dots you mention. The bubble itself is distorting and cause your other complaints but be sure to mention all of this to your surgeon when you see him/her!
Toni
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Is their anything that truly is the VERY BEST for comfort?
Hello, my surgery will be March 12Th for MH. I am thankful to know the surgery will prevent further sight distortion in my eye but am VERY CONCERNED about positioning recovery. I Have RA/ LUPUS/ Sjgorens Syndrome so I have 24/7 pain in normal life....Is their anything that truly is the VERY BEST for comfort while face down recovery?
God Bless Each Who Are Having This Problem, I am so very tankful these past few years they have found a successful surgery and treatment plan for us with MH problems.
Thank you,
Evelyn
Evelyn:
THE BAD NEWS: there is nothing that is going to make vitrectomy recovery easy.
THE GOOD NEWS: there are things that can help.
Most companies offer very similar items; they are all designed to allow your neck, back and shoulder muscles to get some releif from the torture of maintaining the proper positioning. Everybody is different and only you know what you need to get yourself through. Some people do it with no equipment at all! For a look at some of the items available for relief take a look at the vitrectomy positioning devices on my website: www.KellyComfort.com Good Luck!
Toni Kelly
God Bless Each Who Are Having This Problem, I am so very tankful these past few years they have found a successful surgery and treatment plan for us with MH problems.
Thank you,
Evelyn
Evelyn:
THE BAD NEWS: there is nothing that is going to make vitrectomy recovery easy.
THE GOOD NEWS: there are things that can help.
Most companies offer very similar items; they are all designed to allow your neck, back and shoulder muscles to get some releif from the torture of maintaining the proper positioning. Everybody is different and only you know what you need to get yourself through. Some people do it with no equipment at all! For a look at some of the items available for relief take a look at the vitrectomy positioning devices on my website: www.KellyComfort.com Good Luck!
Toni Kelly
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Anonymous said...
i had an eye surgery with the gaseous bubble and was told by my doctor to remain face-down for 7 days. then i'll return to another appointment, when i assume he'll check that the hole is healed and, if so, i assume i can raise my head.
is it at this point that the bubble starts dissipating?
also, i've noticed that on the occasions when i do raise my head - for eye drops, for example - that i feel dizzy and light-headed. has anyone else experienced this? when did it start going away?
also, i've noticed a lot of very lengthy recovery times, which i assume are affected by diabetes or other, additional medical issues. has anyone recovered in 7 days and what was the recovery experience after that? i'm trying to figure out (a little ahead of time) whether i should plan to go back to work or not - and whether i should park my car for a month.
i would really appreciate anyone's experience. thanks
February 9, 2009 10:12 PM
Dear Anonymous:
The gas bubble initially grows over the first few days then gradually dissipates. Depending upon the type of gas used, the bubble will disappear in approximately 2-6 weeks. When to raise your head is variable among surgeons and your particular case, just as you inferred. Your ability to drive once you are released to raise your head will largely be your call. The resisdual bubble may interfere with your depth perception so you will need to be careful. The lightheaded feeling you have experienced when raising your head is not uncommon, especially if you have done a very good job of keeping your face down.
Toni
i had an eye surgery with the gaseous bubble and was told by my doctor to remain face-down for 7 days. then i'll return to another appointment, when i assume he'll check that the hole is healed and, if so, i assume i can raise my head.
is it at this point that the bubble starts dissipating?
also, i've noticed that on the occasions when i do raise my head - for eye drops, for example - that i feel dizzy and light-headed. has anyone else experienced this? when did it start going away?
also, i've noticed a lot of very lengthy recovery times, which i assume are affected by diabetes or other, additional medical issues. has anyone recovered in 7 days and what was the recovery experience after that? i'm trying to figure out (a little ahead of time) whether i should plan to go back to work or not - and whether i should park my car for a month.
i would really appreciate anyone's experience. thanks
February 9, 2009 10:12 PM
Dear Anonymous:
The gas bubble initially grows over the first few days then gradually dissipates. Depending upon the type of gas used, the bubble will disappear in approximately 2-6 weeks. When to raise your head is variable among surgeons and your particular case, just as you inferred. Your ability to drive once you are released to raise your head will largely be your call. The resisdual bubble may interfere with your depth perception so you will need to be careful. The lightheaded feeling you have experienced when raising your head is not uncommon, especially if you have done a very good job of keeping your face down.
Toni
Long Standing Macular Hole
Anonymous said...
is it possible to repair a long-standing full-thickness macular hole? my daughter injured her eye at age 2 (she's 26 now). there was a macular pucker to begin; the opthamologist had her see a retinal specialist at age 3; she was uncooperative and specialist didn't get a good look. then by age 6 the opthamologist suggested she see the retinal specialist again, who then confirmed she had a full-thickness retinal hole. I've always hoped that the technology would improve to the point that repair would be possible.
February 9, 2009 11:41 PM
Dear Anonymous:
I believe it would be highly unlikely to achieve much improvement in vision after such a great length of time. Generally surgeons want to repair a macular hole within 6 months, a year at most. There may be a surgeon out there who would perform the surgery but unfortunately the prognosis is not good. Toni
is it possible to repair a long-standing full-thickness macular hole? my daughter injured her eye at age 2 (she's 26 now). there was a macular pucker to begin; the opthamologist had her see a retinal specialist at age 3; she was uncooperative and specialist didn't get a good look. then by age 6 the opthamologist suggested she see the retinal specialist again, who then confirmed she had a full-thickness retinal hole. I've always hoped that the technology would improve to the point that repair would be possible.
February 9, 2009 11:41 PM
Dear Anonymous:
I believe it would be highly unlikely to achieve much improvement in vision after such a great length of time. Generally surgeons want to repair a macular hole within 6 months, a year at most. There may be a surgeon out there who would perform the surgery but unfortunately the prognosis is not good. Toni
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
