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What to expect after surgery |
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RetinaRest |
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The operated eye should not be very painful after surgery; it is, however, normal to get surface irritation (feeling like something is in the eye) and for bright lights to be a little uncomfortable (wearing sunglasses is often helpful). Sometimes a pinkish watery discharge may be noticed on bedclothes. This is caused by tears mixing with some blood on the surface of the eye and is generally of no long-term consequence. Immediately after the surgery, and for the first 2 or 3 weeks, you will not be able to see straight ahead or beneath this with the operated eye. This is because the gas in the eye prevents light from focussing on the retina. As the gas floats to the top of your eye, and the image on the retina is upside-down, it obscures all but the top of your vision. Only as the gas is slowly absorbed will you notice that the top of your vision becomes clearer and that there is a wobbly black (sometimes silver) line at the top of the area in which you are unable to see. As the weeks pass, this line will get lower and you will be able to see directly ahead. However tempting, this is not, though, the right time at which to assess your vision. It is difficult for you to interpret your vision so soon after the surgery with gas in the eye and drops dilating your pupil. When the bubble gets even smaller, it will be seen as one or more balls or circles in the bottom part of your vision before disappearing completely. Depending on the type and concentration of the gas, this can take between 4 and 10 weeks to be absorbed completely.
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