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Has anyone here had a vitrectomy? It looks like I have this in my near future, so I would like to hear about your experience.

For several years I've had this "cloud" in my right eye and it seems to me that it's slowly gotten worse. It's sort of like a few strands of hair falling down in front of your eye, only I can't brush it away (obviously) and it moves with my eye, staying front and center all the time.

Last Monday (1/9/17) I went to see the VA opthamologist in Bonham. He ran his own private practice for over 30 years. He closed up shop and went to work for the VA because he was tired of fighting the insurance companies.

He told me I had the worst case of asteroid hyalosis he had ever seen. I suppose that does mean I have rocks in my head. Well, in my right eye at least.

For most people, asteroid hyalosis doesn't amount to any more than having a few "floaters" - little dark spots that move around in their vision. I have a few of those in my left eye, but in my right eye, they have formed stringy chains that stay in one place. They are all little calcified deposits that have formed in the vitreous, which is the "jelly" that fills the eye.

The only way to remove the deposits is to remove the vitreous, so it's called a "vitrectomy". They make 3 tiny incisions in the white of the eye. One incision is to insert a light so the surgeon can see what he's doing. The second is to insert a little tool that will vacuum out the vitreous. The third is to introduce a saline solution to replace the vitreous as it's being removed.

Needless to say, I'm not looking forward to having this done at all. I am looking forward to getting it over with so I can start healing and get my full eyesight back.

Since the VA is backed up, they're putting me through the Choice program which means it will be done elsewhere. I'm hoping for UT Southwestern in Dallas.

Since my right eye is my dominant eye, this does tie into shooting.

I wish you best luck. SMU is the right place to be.
I didn't have the same problem as you but I can feel with you.

I had a vitrectomy and retinal surgery in my right eye some years ago. Out patient by a retinal specialist in Arlington. Eye patch overnight and followed by an exam in his office the next day and then home to Wichita Falls. Was really no big deal. Best of luck with your surgery. PM me if you want to know the name of my retinal specialist ( I had retinal tenting which bends a straight line ). I don't know if your condition needs a retinal specialist. FYI, there was no pain involved.

Thanks rotor! That is the best report I've run across. Most talk about having to take pain pills for a couple of weeks, swelling, etc.

I don't know if I can use it, but I would appreciate having his name. From what I've read, you ONLY want a retinal specialist doing a vitrectomy.

I'm most concerned about having it done at all. I'm a real wuss when it comes to anyone messing with my eyes.

bmwrdr wrote:I wish you best luck. SMU is the right place to be.
I didn't have the same problem as you but I can feel with you.

He needs doctor, not a lawyer

UTSW is the right place for your surgery. I am willing to bet that that is a very routine procedure for those docs. If you need some specific help / info, PM me. My wife has a joint appt to Neurology and Ophthalmology there and likely knows who ever you will be seeing.

Bitter Clinger wrote:

bmwrdr wrote:I wish you best luck. SMU is the right place to be.
I didn't have the same problem as you but I can feel with you.

He needs doctor, not a lawyer

Dr. Jones and Dr. Pessica are the no one at SMU, forget about the administrative part.

PawPaw, Best of luck with your procedure. Please keep us posted with a date/time so we can offer special prayers.

puma guy wrote:PawPaw, Best of luck with your procedure. Please keep us posted with a date/time so we can offer special prayers.

Prayers sent, keep us updated.

Pawpaw,

Best of luck!

Like you, I'm very squeamish when it comes to my eyes.

You can whittle on other parts and it won't bother me, but eyes are something altogether different.

Presumably, they'll give you some helpful "nerve" medication prior to procedure.

I have nothing to add other than to suggest getting different opinions and referrals of potential surgeons. I would even check into some of the Doc's in the Houston area. I hear Houston has the best Hospitals around.

I can clarify a rumor for you though. You know that saying carrots are good for your eyes? Don't believe it, I stuck one in mine and didn't help a bit.

Sorry, just throwing some humor (or not-so humor) out there. Good luck with your surgery. Its scary to think our eyes getting operated on.

PawPaw - I have had 2 vitrectomies due to retinal detachment. These were about a year apart.

Although not a piece of cake, I have had much worse things happen to me! You will have stitches, and that is a somewhat annoying. And, removing the vitreous and replacing it with saline causes early onset of cataracts in a high percentage of people. So, I have also had 2 cataract surgeries since then.

Expect blurry vision for about a week following the procedure. But I don't recall it being particularly painful.

Good luck, and we will be keeping you in our prayers!

Thanks. I had not read about the procedure possibly causing cataracts.

I've known for about 5 years that I have cataracts developing in both eyes. Even this last doctor said they're very slight, so we'll have to see how it goes. Both of my parents had to have cataract surgery, so it's not much of a surprise.

About cataracts, I have had cataract surgery on both eyes before my vitrectomy. I did not have any sutures with my surgery that I remembered. For me it was a mild surgery and in actuality I was awake for a good part of it. Same with the cataracts, awake and no pain. I am again going to wish you good luck but that is really the wrong term. It is skill and not luck that counts. I am on medicare and with my supplemental insurance I did not spend a penny, only cost was the nice bottle of wine I gifted the surgeon at my 6 week checkup.