Eye problems--I'm really scared

AchtungBaby80 · #1 11-27-2003, 04:19 PM

I just found out yesterday that the hole in my retina has gotten worse and that it has actually started to detach, so I'm going to have to have eye surgery next Wednesday. (Yeah, I just had surgery for something else last Friday, so this'll be 2 surgeries in 2 weeks.) I'm still sort of in shock, since I had just gone to the doctor to get my contact prescription renewed when he told me this. Not to mention ruining my Thanksgiving, this is scaring me so bad...they're going to try the more 'minor' surgery first, and if that doesn't work, then I'll have to go in the hospital and do the complicated stuff. I'm so worried I'll end up not being able to work for several months, or that I won't be able to wear contacts (I'm the most vain person you will ever come across, and if I have to wear glasses, I really don't know what I'll do), or that I might even go blind. I thought, "Well, at least I have one good eye left," but after going to the second specialist yesterday I found out that my other eye is showing signs of problems, too, only thankfully it's nowhere near as bad as the first one.

So guys, this is really important: Please, please make sure you go and get your eyes checked regularly, especially if you're nearsighted, because you just never know. If you wait and there's a problem, they might not be able to fix it.

James · #2 11-27-2003, 04:27 PM

Hey! Hang in there!

Usually its a really simple procedure to reattch the retina. They kind of scare you by telling you about everything that could go wrong because they have to for liability reasons.

Is the retina problem because of improper contact wear?

UKDaisy · #3 11-27-2003, 04:27 PM

ooh babe I am so sorry! Look at the positive side!! I know its hard sometimes, and I often don't, but you have to believe everything will work out. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated please! ANd if you need anything, I"m pretty much 5 minutes away!

CatStarESP4 · #4 11-27-2003, 05:05 PM

I am sorry to hear about your eye problem. I hope the minor procedure works so you don't have to go through a major procedure. Good luck! Get well soon!

#5 11-27-2003, 07:24 PM

Girl! You are in my prayers and I hope you get through this. I know it's a rough time for you right now. Go do something fun to get your mind off of things. Go shopping! Get some exercise! Don't let it get you down and just take this situation as another bump in the road that you'll just conquer.

Honeykiss1974 · #6 11-27-2003, 08:56 PM

I'll be praying for you as well. This may not be the same eye issue, but I know someone with boht eyes detaching. He had surgery done (a procedure where an adhesive was used to fill in the empty spaces) and he was one bed rest for a week, and went back to work after 2 weeks. It wasn't months or anything like that.

Stay encouraged and be sure to do some research as to what surgery may be best for you.

AchtungBaby80 · #7 11-27-2003, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
Is the retina problem because of improper contact wear?

No, it's because I'm blind as a bat and the doctor said that people who are very nearsighted have thin retinas that are thus more likely to tear or detach. I had a 1 in 20 chance of this happening because I'm nearsighted; if you're not, you've got, like, a 1 in 10,000 chance.

I'm just special, I guess.

Thanks for the support, guys...it's going to be scary, but I'm trying to stay calm.

PhiPsiRuss · #8 11-27-2003, 11:42 PM

Wishing you well from New York!

justamom · #9 11-28-2003, 11:39 AM

Of utmost importance----------FOLLOW THE POST OP INSTRUCTIONS TO A "T"!!!!! This is where the operation's failure rate goes up!!! Prayers and best wishes to you.

aephi alum · #10 11-28-2003, 01:36 PM

Sorry to hear this.

Hope everything goes smoothly. Take care.

pinkyphimu · #11 11-28-2003, 05:50 PM

good luck with your surgery. one of the adults i worked with had this done and the surgery itself was not very difficult. he had to put a zillion eye drops in his eyes afterwards, tho and it was tough keeping track of which one to give at what time. i am sure you will do fine!

SparkliiQTMTSU · #12 11-28-2003, 07:13 PM

Aww Im so sorry to hear about this, but I do know someone that had the same operation and she was fine. granted she was even more blind for about a week or so but after that she was great!

Nichole

33girl · #13 11-28-2003, 07:42 PM

Good luck sweetie!!! What might be a dumb question though - when he fixes this, will he also fix your cornea so that it's not concave or convex (I forget which) anymore? Thus, you wouldn't need contacts or glasses. Kind of like when you get cataract surgery done, it also corrects your vision because the corneas are the shape they're supposed to be.

I can't echo the statement more to get your eyes, teeth and nether regions checked regularly!!!!

OrigamiTulip · #14 11-28-2003, 07:47 PM

Take care, Dana.

FHwku · #15 11-28-2003, 08:53 PM

i'm sure you're as beautiful, if not more, wearing glasses. they'll give you an air of sophistication. and when you want to emphasize an important point, or make it look like an intelligent point, you can do the listen-to-me-i'm-taking-my-glasses-off move (variant with a leaning in towards person.) Take care not to wield your glasses to often, it'll lose effect through over-usage.

*Air Supply sucks