Hole In Retina

[Smowball]

Ok so my son had the hospital earlier as he’s been having eyesight problems for absolutely ages but he’s just put it off and off. Anyway today he saw a consultant, who then called 3 or 4 people in and after various drops and examinations they said he has a hole in his retina. He’s booked in for laser eye surgery next week but he hasn’t really asked what that’s meant to do? All he remembers is that they said if it wasn’t successful they may have to lift the eyeball out of the socket and do another procedure and he’s freaking out.
Anybody know anything about this condition & procedure??

[Buenchico]

From the NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/macular-hole/

and Moorfields Eye Hospital
https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Macular%20hole_0.pdf

[Smowball]

Hmmm both of those links say an injection is the treatment yet he says he’s having laser eye surgery?

[Buenchico]

Read them again, Smow.

In particular see the section headed 'Treatment of macular hole' on page 2 of the leaflet. It makes it clear that, while the injection of a drug is a possible option in some cases, the only guaranteed way to fix the problem is surgery.

The NHS also makes it clear that 'vitrectomy surgery' is the only technique applicable to all case, with 'ocriplasmin injection' only being relevant in limited cases.

[Mamyalynne]

Macular holes often occur in an older patient.

The alternative could be ....

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/Laser-retinopexy.pdf

[Smowball]

I’m just worried. He’s only 23. They reckon he’s had it years. And so does he.

[Buenchico]

Yes, Mamya, your link is probably the better one if its definitely laser surgery (which will mean that it's a tear in the outer layer of the retina that's involved, rather than the central area, as in my links).

[Smowball]

Will he be ok??

[Mamyalynne]

When he goes back he must ask as many questions as he can in order to understand the problem - they'll be fine about it.

[Mamyalynne]

Amazing what they can do Smow, try not to worry.

[Old_Geezer]

I've had laser treatment on the eye. But I wasn't given time to worry about it. Had a tear in the retina and it seems like they were trying to seal it.

Look, it's not pleasant but it's ok. They shine the very very bright light (the laser) into the problem eye. I coped by trying to ignore that eye (at that brightness you can't see anything else but light anyway) and mentally concentrate on what can be seen with the other.

It is uncomfortable as they sort out the retina issue, but as I said, it's ok. Eventually it's done and it takes a short while for the eye to clear itself and you can see properly again.

After that, it's done, and you have avoided going blind in the eye. Great relief all round.

[Cloverjo]

It sounds like a horrible procedure, but he will be ok. My sister, when very young, had her eyeball taken out of its socket by a surgeon to investigate why she was blind in one eye.
She was fine afterwards, apart from still being blind in that eye, of course.

[Smowball]

Thankyo everyone. I will try and put his mind at rest.