About this topic
The retina is the light-sensitive part at the back of the eyes. Sometimes, the retina comes loose from the back of the eye. A detached retina can lead to blindness. The surgery to fix this is a retinal detachment repair. The retina is put back in its normal place. This surgery is done to restore the eyesight. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you eye drops. Apply your drugs as instructed by your doctor. Wash your hands before touching your eyes.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your eyes. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages. Do not take the patch off of your eye until your doctor tells you to do so.
- When you may take a bath, shower, or wash your face. Protect your eye from running water until your doctor allows you.
- If you need to be careful with moving your head or lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- You can wear sunglasses when you go out.
- Do not touch your eyes. When your eye feels itchy, you may dampen a clean washcloth with cold water and gently wipe the itchy eye.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent infection
- Relieve itching
Will physical activity be limited?
- Your doctor may ask you to hold your head in a certain position while your eye heals. You may have to lay on one side or facing down. This position may be needed for 1 to 4 weeks after your surgery. Talk to your doctor about the best position for you. Ask for advice on tools to making laying in this position easier.
- Ask your doctor about what activities are OK for you. Find out if computer work, reading, or TV is allowed. Each of these things requires you to use your eyes in a different way.
- Avoid contact sports and strenuous activities. Ask your doctor about bending or stooping.
- Avoid straining during bowel movements.
- Avoid sneezing with the mouth closed.
- Rest as much as possible to keep the eye from moving.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Increased pressure in the eye
- Detachment that may require more surgeries
- Loss of eyesight
When do I need to call the doctor?
- You have any change in eyesight
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Redness, drainage, discharge, or bleeding from your eye
- Very bad pain in your eye
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my eye.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, drainage, pain, or a change in eyesight.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Ophthalmology ‚
http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/detached-torn-retina-treatment.cfm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚