Vitrectomy

[sarahm723]

Hi looking for reassurance .. please no scary or negative comment as I’m finding it hard to cope...I’m scared. I’m 27. Last may 2017 I had laser 2 weeks later I had a bleed in one eye.. since then Iv had numerous bleeds and fluid.. now I’m awaiting a vitrectomy as they said gel is pulling on retina causing bleeds.. I have good and bad days with vision in that eye ... am I going to be ok will my vision get better and be regained .. at the min it can be blurry and things look smaller like texting letters look tiny. Please give me hope as I’m 27 young girl struggling to live say by day without fear and I can’t think positively ... I wish I could hear good stories.... i need hope and reassurance ..I’m attending eye and ear hosp Dublin . Thankyou

 

[Bluey1]

Good luck, you have a good hospital, so hopefully they will put you back to normal or even better.

 

[Hattonma]

Hi just wanted to say good luck. I can't say everything will be fine because I don't know but it sounds like your hp are doing what is needed.

I am 38 and had a tough time with my eyes over last couple of years. Had numerous laser sessions and last week had more bleeds. I ended up paying for a private consultation to really find out what was happening.

It was the best money I have ever spent. The consultant specialises in vitrectomy and they sound like a positive next step. While I am not ready for that yet I would feel more confident now if I needed it.

I know you are scared and i have had the same fears this last couple of weeks. This isn't something they do lightly so I hope it is positive for you

 

[Tony337]

Hello
I had laser treatment quite a lot in fact about 20 years ago.
I still drive and work.
I've been type 1 for 44 years and am now 49.
I attend check ups without fail and the work they did 20 years ago is holding up well.
Blurred vision and up and down days may be caused by diabetes and not necessarily be due to blood spillage behind the eye and anything to do with the laser treatment.
I still get red flashes from time to time which I was told is the jelly in the eye attaching itself to the retina but there was no mention of that causing the bleeds.
As I say I still get them 20 years on.

Please don't hesitate in asking further but remember I'm not an eye specialist and can only describe whats happened to me as I understand it.

Wishing you all the best

Tony

 

[NicoleC1971]

Hi looking for reassurance .. please no scary or negative comment as I’m finding it hard to cope...I’m scared. I’m 27. Last may 2017 I had laser 2 weeks later I had a bleed in one eye.. since then Iv had numerous bleeds and fluid.. now I’m awaiting a vitrectomy as they said gel is pulling on retina causing bleeds.. I have good and bad days with vision in that eye ... am I going to be ok will my vision get better and be regained .. at the min it can be blurry and things look smaller like texting letters look tiny. Please give me hope as I’m 27 young girl struggling to live say by day without fear and I can’t think positively ... I wish I could hear good stories.... i need hope and reassurance ..I’m attending eye and ear hosp Dublin . Thankyou

Hi SarahM! I hope you feel better for posting here. I think any type 1 is terrified of this kind of complication and 27 is young to be contemplating it. I was 31 when I had my double vitrectomy (not sure if you are having the surgery in 1 eye or both) at a time when my daughter whose pregnancy triggered the problem, was just 18 months old. Moorfields Hospital saved my sight literally and I am sure the surgery has improved since then. I have gone on to have 2 more kids and work as a personal trainer. At the time I was an HR manager and came back to work after 2 months (this may have changed but I had to lie on my front to ensure the surgeon's work stayed in place).
I don't have full vision (cannot drive) but that is because both my eyes were done but what I have is pretty good (can text, use pc, do my job and not being able to drive keeps me fit!). If you have a 'good' eye then you will be able to drive and do most things with just that.
Its horrible to have to live with this anxiety but you could be practical and find out stuff like the recovery process, your surgeon's track record and the success rate of the procedure currently. Please ask any questions you like by the way and good luck!

 

[sarahm723]

Iv had 2 sessions of laser on both eyes . But only one had the bleed and continued to bleed on and off . I was told the jelly is pulling on retina causing continuous bleeding hence the vitrectomy and that after I may need injections for fluid . Which is seperate to jelly issue . I’m scared . But hoping that this will all get me back my vision in that eye .. was hoping someone would say it will ... one thing I will say is I have left my old hospital because they never advices me to gradually reduce my bloods after my first laser .. I worked so hard brought my hba1c down rapidly .. no one told me it needed to be very slow ... then I had big bleed. Since changing to a new diabetic unit they have thought me so much in the months over 16 years in a place that are way behind . Anyways I can’t be looking back now... give anything for full health . How much I took it for granted .. thanks everyone