I was writing an article for a website. As I worked, I kept looking down to check my resources and looking up to track my words on the computer screen. Several minutes later, I saw a flashing light in my right eye. ouch Was my retina detaching again?
Having laser surgery for retinal detachment does not guarantee vision. Additional surgery is often required. I had laser surgery for retinal detachment in both eyes. Despite a fall, which caused blood to drip into one eye, the surgery stuck. Even so, the years control my view tasks. The new flashing light was annoying.
As I had been advised, I went to the ophthalmologist immediately. According to “Retinal Detachment,” an article on the PubMed Wellbeing website, retinal detachment “is an urgent problem that requires medical attention within 24 hours of the first symptoms.”
The ophthalmologist examined my eye with a slit lamp. The lamp has a magnifying lens that allows the doctor to see the structure of the eye. Since I had already had a slit lamp exam, I knew what to expect. While the light is very bright, it is not as bright as a laser.
The doctor put numbing drops in my eye and looked at the back of my eye with a magnifying glass. “Laser surgery is holding up,” he announced. What a relief! He asked me to watch for signs of another detachment: lots of floaters, which he described as a swarm of tiny insects, sudden flashes of light, and a dark shadow or curtain blocking vision. Blurry vision is another symptom.
Just because I had laser surgery doesn’t make me immune to another detachment. Previous surgery is a risk factor, along with a family history of this condition. My brother also had a detachment and, like me, his corrective surgery went well. Most of my family members have left so I don’t know if others had the same experience.
I have sensitive eyes and wear sunglasses even on cloudy days. Avoiding activities that could cause a recurrence is another thing I do. For example, I used to cross-country ski in the woods near the recognizable cabin, but I don’t anymore. Bicycling is also off my exercise list. Without ban, I keep walking to maintain good health.
Since my eyes tend to be dry, I lubricate them with artificial tears. I keep a bottle in my bag, a bottle in the kitchen, and a bottle in the bathroom. Staying on top of retinal detachment symptoms is the most important thing I do. If you’ve had laser eye surgery, be aware of these symptoms and do what you can to protect your vision. You want to see and enjoy our colorful world.