Recovering From A Vitrectomy
Gray Rollins
If a doctor has told you that you need to have a vitrectomy,
you’re probably confused and concerned about having a procedure
and not knowing what to expect. A vitrectomy is simply the
removal and replacement of the vitreous, or the fluid that
fills the eye. While this is a fairly simple procedure, proper
recovery techniques are very important. While you should always
follow your doctor’s advice, there are several steps you can
expect to be told to take. These procedures are important to
help your eye heal and prevent infection, but they may also be
vital to the surgery working at all.
Directly after your surgery, your doctor will probably fit you
with an eye patch. It is important to leave the patch on until
it is removed by your doctor or a nurse. During surgery, your
doctor will numb your eyelid to prevent it from blinking. While
this makes the surgery easier to perform, it also prevents you
from properly cleaning and lubricating your eye until the
anesthesia wears off. If you remove the patch before you are
able to blink properly, you risk infecting the eye. This can
turn a simple procedure into a much more serious problem.
Once the eye patch is removed, you should begin using the eye
drops your doctor prescribed (unless they instruct you to use
them ahead of time). Generally you will be given two types of
eye drops: one to reduce inflammation and swelling, and another
to prevent infection. They should be used for as long as your
doctor recommends.
You may experience pain and discomfort after the surgery. This
should be relieved by placing an ice pack on the affected area.
This reduces swelling and pressure and therefore pain. If this
doesn’t get rid of all the pain, you may consider taking
Tylenol or another pain reliever, but be sure to ask your
doctor first before you take anything. If pain is severe or
persists for more than a few days, you should go to see your
doctor.
If your vitrectomy was performed to correct retinal detachment,
a macular hole, or any other condition that required a small gas
bubble to be inserted into the eye, the most important step for
recovery is to have your face pointing downward most of the
day. The specific amount of time per day should be specified by
your doctor. The pressure of the gas bubble on the problem area
assists in healing. Generally the problem is at the back of the
eye. So when you tilt your head downward, the tiny bubble floats
to the top; allowing healing to occur. This position may seem
uncomfortable and unnatural, but if you don’t do it enough,
your surgery will likely be of little help to your problem.
Your doctor may provide a cushion to rest your head in, but
there are also companies that make equipment that is more
convenient and comfortable. You may think spending the money is
unnecessary, but some people may find it terribly uncomfortable
to do and be less likely to stay in this position as long as
they should. And as I already said; the less time you spend
with your face down, the less likely you are to heal.
Once the eye patch is removed, feel free to use your eye. You
may have trouble seeing for a little while, but the condition
should improve as your eye naturally replaces the fluid.
Hopefully these steps along with your doctor’s advice will help
you recover quickly from your vitrectomy.
About The Author: Gray Rollins writes for
http://www.myeyesurgery.com/procedures/. To learn more about
vitrectomy recovery, visit
http://www.myeyesurgery.com/vitrectomy/
Back To:
All Free Info about Eye & Ear Health
Choose Natural Health Site Map
Find More Free Natural Health Information
