cataract / retinal detachments age 30 one good eye advise info?

Posted by revelation22_5 on 9/12/2012 at 2:13 AM

Listed below is my story. And also things I want to find out. Please feel free to comment with advise, wit, humor, similar stories.
My Story:
At the time of the story I was a healthy 30yo I also have a healthy Left eye that with glasses I can see good with.
Last year I had Cataract Extraction Surgery to remove a cataract on my right eye. At my follow up appointment for the surgery something happened that struck me as odd. The eye surgeon that did the surgery did about 40 of them that day. It was almost as if it was an assembly line. The follow up visit was the same way. Register they check your vision, you see the doctor, he gives you a new prescription for glasses and checks your eye. Soon as one person was out a door they called another in.
After they checked my vision and I went to see the Eye surgeon, he looked at my eye and then gave me my new prescription for lenses. After a brief moment he asked for the prescription back. Saying that I should let my regular eye doctor write the subscription, in case there is any change to my eye between now and when I did my other follow up at my regular eye doctor.
Him taking the prescription back struck me as very odd. Since it was so assembly line like everyone there was getting a prescription, I even saw him bring someone’s out into the lobby because they left it. Why did he take mine back?????? I would also like to add I was never told of the side effects/ complications before the surgery. They were playing a video in the lobby that told all the details but I didn’t watch it. He asked if I watched the video and I just said I heard some of it. No one told me to watch it when I registered or I would have.

A few weeks later I took an after work nap and woke up with a spot in my vision. I ignored it thinking it would go away. The next morning when I woke it was still there so I called and found an eye doctor that was open on a Saturday. Ten minutes at the eye doc and they were scheduling me a surgery at well know hospital about 30 miles away. (Different eye surgeon than the cataract) Found out I had 14+ tears in my retina. I was told when I was very young I had a weak eye. (Not vision wise but structurally) After the surgery, about two weeks later I had another one, then another one and so on (6 total). I am not sure what procedures where used at which one but I’ve had all the normal things done, buckle, laser, vitrectomy…… My last surgery they put the silicon oil in my eye. I have had it in for about a year now. I was under the impression that they were going to leave it in to let my eye heal real well before taking it out and seeing how it did with the natural eye fluid. I was always very hopeful that it would heal well enough to hold up without the oil and that my vision would increase after having the oil removed. Today my eye doctor told me we should leave the oil in indefinitely. So now it has hit me that I am not going to be able to see out of my eye. I can barely make out large shapes; I can’t read the big “E” on the chart. I also have no right side preriphial vision.
Some of the things I have noticed, I cannot tell when someone is standing next to me. When driving I must turn my head all the way around to see so I can change into the right lane. I have trouble shaving or seeing anything on the right side of my face/head/shoulder.
One big thing I have noticed is it looks like my eye is more closed, and pointing to the right. This really bothers me. I am not married and fear it may be harder to find a date if my eye looks different. Has anyone experienced this? Does it get worse?
What other things may I have a hard time doing?
Does any type of insurance offer benefits for loss of vision in one eye? Any other benefits to it? Cheaper college tuition…anything?

So please feel free to give advice, tips, support, your story…..

There are currently 3 replies

Re: cataract / retinal detachments age 30 one good eye advise info?

You have posed lots of questions and I will attempt to help you get started. I hope that you have had a chance to read some of the personal stories on VisionAware and found that people have found ways to move on and carry out their lives.
First, if you have not gotten consulted with another eye medical group, you may want to seek another opinion about what is going on with your eye. Also, you may want to see a low vision specialist about making the best use of the vision you have. You can read all about what they do on VisionAware at http://www.visionaware.org/section.aspx?FolderID=6...
As for insurance or assistance with eye care, you can start with the local vocational rehabilitation services office or agency. You haven't mentioned what is going on with your job. Vocational rehabilitation agencies can help with keeping your job,with retraining, and with eye medical assistance if you are eligible. However, If your work has not been affected and if your vision in your other eye is not affected or at risk, they may not be able to help. It is worth talking to them anyway as they should be able to tell you about resources that are available in your community. To find an agency in your community, you can use the directory of services at http://www.visionaware.org/directory.aspx. This directory includes all types of services including among them rehabilitation, health, low vision, and support groups.
You may also benefit from talking to others about what you have been going through,especially dealing with vision loss and dating. The support groups may help in that way.
Other types of financial assistance for eye medical services include the Lions Clubs. Local clubs often help individuals who need help with medical bills related to vision. They have a directory at: https://directory.lionsclubs.org/
Both the American Optometric Assocation and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have eye care assistance programs. They both have specific eligibility requirements which you will need to check. Here are the web sites and toll free numbers:

www.eyecareamerica.org
1-800-222-EYES (3937)
www.optometryscharity.org/vision-usa
1-800-766-4466
You haven't mentioned if you are a veteran. Veterans with eye conditions can obtain help as well. Here is the website and toll free number:
www.va.gov/blindrehab
1-800-827-1000
We hope this information helps you get started. You have taken the first step by reaching out and that is always the hardest. Please feel free to write back if you have other questions.

Re: cataract / retinal detachments age 30 one good eye advise info?

Retinal tears and other complications are rare complications of surgery but your doctor should have provided you with information about possible complications before surgery. If problems occurred, you should have contacted your doctor as soon as possible since he or she can’t do anything without seeing you. When you saw him, you were referred for retinal surgery which became very complicated. It is critical that you sit down with your retinal surgeon and ask all of these questions since the answers depend upon the current state of your vision.

Re: cataract / retinal detachments age 30 one good eye advise info?

Hello, revelation! It sounds like we've had some similar issues, so I wanted to reply. My story:
At birth, extreme myopia with astigmatism in both eyes. Left eye approx. -18 and right legally blind. Probably due to Stickler's Syndrome.
Volleyball accident at age 15 caused a complete retinal detachment in right eye. I had that eye removed 10 years later due to pain and deterioration and now have a prosthetic.
Since age 18, I've experienced peripheral retinal degeneration in my left eye and have had about 7 laser surgeries to try to keep my retina in place.
At age 31, I had a posterior sub capsular cataract removed from my left eye and experienced a strange side effect of corneal swelling directly after the surgery.
A month later, my new lens slipped out of place and the surgeon had to go back in and reaffix it.

As far as monocular vision goes, you will eventually get used to it and find ways to compensate. :). The website losteye.com is very helpful.
Cosmetically, it's hard to say if your eye will start to get "wonky." It most likely depends on the healing process. My right retina was never reattached because it was too far gone and that led to pressure problems, etc. My better eye is blue and the damaged one's pupil completely/ permanently dilated making it black. Having it removed was the best decision I could have made! I was in pain for much longer than I needed to be.
Socially, it can be hard to adjust at first, but I'm sure you'll do great! I've always tried to remember that most people are too busy worrying about their own imperfections to spend time worrying about yours! I have a great husband who knew about my prosthetic and other eye problems early on in our relationship and it wasn't an issue.
Good luck!