Detached retina.

R

RAMI

Guest
Anyone ever have this shit? For about a week, my left eye kept getting worse, like there was a shadow creeping in from the top left. I kept brushing away imaginary bangs that were falling over my left eye.

Finally, after a week, I go to an optometrist last Friday because I woke up with my left eye's vision getting smaller and smaller. Dude tells me I have a detached retina and better get to emergency NOW. He calls the hospital to tell them to have a retinal specialist ready. I drive through rush hour across town, which takes me about 45 minutes to get to the hospital. By the time I get to the hospital, I have no vision in my left eye. I thought it was gone.

He tells me I would have gone blind if I waited one more day, or even a few more hours. The treatment is weird. They put gas in your eye to expand it, and he tells me there are a few tears (not "tears", as in "tear drops", but "tears" as in "torn").

So, since Friday, I've had to keep my head tilted to the left at least 21 hours a day, which is pretty much all the time. I have to sleep on my left side and stay there.

Went back to the hospital today and he says I probable won't need surgery, but he lasered it and fuck did that hurt. Feels like your eye's going to explode. I have to go back Thursday to make sure everything's ok.

I have a major headache today. :(
 
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Oh man that sounds like a nightmare.

Any idea what caused it?
Or is it just one of those terrifying things that just happens like testicular torsion or something?

Congratulations on catching it just in time!
 
kidkage said:
Oh man that sounds like a nightmare.

Any idea what caused it?
Or is it just one of those terrifying things that just happens like testicular torsion or something?

Congratulations on catching it just in time!
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Thanx man.

It can just randomly happen to anyone. Many people see "floaters", which is normal. But a detached retina is a serious thing. They say that if you ever start seeing flashes of light or the "awning" coming down over your eye(s) like I did, go to an ophtolmologist right away.
 
Tha sucks. Laser IS surgery. A guy I know had to have it fixed a couple of years ago and the healing process took a very long time.
 
mjbphotos said:
Laser IS surgery.
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You're right. I meant that I won't need further procedures to be done. I hope. We'll know for sure Thursday.
A guy I know had to have it fixed a couple of years ago and the healing process took a very long time.
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I hope it doesn't take too long. The impression I got was that I'm just going to have to keep tilting my head and sleeping on my left side for a few weeks.
 
Wow, that's crazy dude. I'm glad you're getting it taken care of in time to save your eyesight.

I went blind for about 30 minutes when I was 14. I hit my head playing football and I truly did "fade to black". When I came to I couldn't see at all. Totally blind. I could hear people talking, I knew it was hot and sunny, all I saw was nothing. Total blackness. I freaked the fuck out. On the way to the hospital it slowly came back. The black turned to orange then I could start to see silhouettes through the orange then everything got mega bright to the point that I had to squint and cover my eyes. It took about a day to go back to normal.
 
I've had the lightning flashes a few times. Always go to the optometrist, always get told it's not a problem. Still gonna always go. Glad you went! Praying for your speedy recovery...at least it won't hurt your voice or fingers! (only kidding, man, don't send the Quebec mafia after me).
 
Greg_L said:
Wow, that's crazy dude. I'm glad you're getting it taken care of in time to save your eyesight.

I went blind for about 30 minutes when I was 14. I hit my head playing football and I truly did "fade to black". When I came to I couldn't see at all. Totally blind. I could hear people talking, I knew it was hot and sunny, all I saw was nothing. Total blackness. I freaked the fuck out. On the way to the hospital it slowly came back. The black turned to orange then I could start to see silhouettes through the orange then everything got mega bright to the point that I had to squint and cover my eyes. It took about a day to go back to normal.
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Holy shit, that sounds scary at any age, but especially a kid. :eek:

BroKen_H said:
I've had the lightning flashes a few times. Always go to the optometrist, always get told it's not a problem. Still gonna always go. Glad you went! Praying for your speedy recovery...at least it won't hurt your voice or fingers! (only kidding, man, don't send the Quebec mafia after me).
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Thanx man, I really appreciate that. Yes, always go. The one time you don't go is going to be the time you wish you did. Just ask Murphy. :)
 
Ouch. Nasty. Good luck with the recovery RAMI, I'm sure you'll pull through OK.

For other reasons, I have to sleep on my left side permanently, or at least I'm not game to try the right side for more than a few minutes these days.... I didn't lie on my right side at all for 6 months. it takes some getting used to, but humans are very adaptable.
 
man ..... good thing you called the doc.

I hve a sax playing friend that had the flashes and was sharp enough to get to the doc .... same thing.
Good news is it's fixable if they get to it soon enough so kumbaya to ya' for keeping your vision.
 
Man that sucks big time. I hope it all clears up quick. And thanks for the heads up about what to watch for.
 
Yikes! But I don't understand how can this happen without getting smacked in the head or something though?
 
Jesus, Rami...

"So what did you do today, man?"

"Oh...went to the hospital and had my detached retina lasered back into place. Hope this shit doesn't take long to heal."

All in a day's work.
 
Thanx guys. I'm going to need physio for my neck when this is over, after holding it sideways for so long.

Mixsit. It can happen randomly, or if someone had myopia, or some kind of eye surgery, like cataract surgery, etc....

Could be worse. If you ever doubt whether some people are worse off than you, just go sit in the waiting room of a hospital for a few hours. You won't feel sorry for yourself for too long.
 
Yeah, my sister had one when she was like 8 years old. Had to lay facedown in a special bed for like 2 weeks because it was really bad!
 
RAMI said:
Could be worse. If you ever doubt whether some people are worse off than you, just go sit in the waiting room of a hospital for a few hours. You won't feel sorry for yourself for too long.
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Another education is to sit in a courtroom. Not a big criminal trial, just the civil ones where case after case comes up before the beak, often without lawyers involved. An education, I tells ya.
 
dobro said:
Another education is to sit in a courtroom. Not a big criminal trial, just the civil ones where case after case comes up before the beak, often without lawyers involved. An education, I tells ya.
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Hilarity of hilarity. We were once doing exactly that (my wife and I), listening to the little in and out cases and actually heard a conversation with a judge and a homeless drunk where the drunk actually said, "Your honor, I'd like to drink the fifth." To which the judge replied, "You mean PLEAD the fifth." The drunk came back with, "You do it your way...I'll do it mine." At which the judge fired back, "I realize you're only saying these things to be found in contempt and get a free nights lodging and food. So I won't find you in contempt." And on and on they went. Everyone in the courtroom was trying not to bust out laughing!
 
That's some scary shit. Beware that black wall closing-in is the word, shit is getting serious.

You're a personal trainer, yeah? After I had cataract surgery and then some laser thing I was told not to lift anything heavy for a while, over 10 pounds I think it was. I suppose when you lift something heavy your eyes kind of naturally bulge, pressure from straining I reckon. I'm sure your doctor would have given you this advice/order if applicable....but you never know, might be good to look into, or at least remain cautious.

When I had the cataracts I didn't realize what it was, in denial or silent acceptance. I thought I was just losing my eyesight....once laid down spades and a club, then declared Flush! :facepalm: Once I finally saw a doctor under wife's orders (i'm hardheaded about going to the doctor) it was quite the moment when doc told me surgery would solve the problem and return my eyesight. Not being able to see well sucks.

Anyway, glad you're okay. Don't be hardheaded like some and do as ordered by your doc.
 
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