Detached retina

[Steve in Canton]

Has anyone on here had a detached retina, I just found out I had one and will have surgery next week, I pretty much know that my October hunting is done, but was wandering how it might affect my future hunting and shooting.   It is in my right year which is my dominate eye so that also has me worried for the future

[Jerry Jeffer]

Depends how bad it is, and how good your doctor is. Best of luck. I'll be praying for you.

[karrow]

i had one maybe 5 years ago. no trouble for me. eyes heel quick. hope all goes well

[Pete McMiller]

You say you 'had' one?  Does that mean you don't now?  I ask that because that happened to me about 2006 or 2007.  I was referred to a retinal specialist after my optometrist couldn't find anything after I complained of a "floater" in my right eye.

The retinal specialist found out that the retina in my right eye had indeed detached at some point and then reattached by itself.  This NEVER happens.  Because of my age the edge of the retina was lacy and there was a chance of it happening again.  There are two methods of spot-welding, if you will, the retina as a preventative measure.  One is a frozen probe that is placed on the back of the eye and the other is a laser to zap it and cauterize it place.

The later was performed in the next office while I was there.  I was zapped through the front of my eye about 50 times - not much pain just very uncomfortable.  Recovery was quick and I was back living my life within a week or so.

I have not had any issues since then.  I still shoot my bow most days, still shoot sporting clays and still hunt with a shotgun on occasion.  According to my Doc, my retinal detachment was not due to any particular activity and I could proceed with my life as before.

The one caveat is that if I ever see many flashes of light in my eye it's an emergency as that is a sign of retinal detachment.  I get one now and then but only onesy twosy at a time.

I hope your procedure is as easy as mine was.  Retinal detachment is nothing to fool with and needs expert intervention to prevent further degredation in eyesight.

Good luck,

[RickE]

I had one in my left eye (non dominant eye) in 2001.  The main thing is to listen to your doctors and do as they tell you.  It will give you the best possible outcome.  Your outcome will also likely depend on the severity, the location of the detachment and how well it can be repaired.  I had mine repaired with a scleral buckle and then cryotherapy to scarify the tissue to make it fuse back together.  That eye is not as strong or as useful as it once was but most days I have 20/20 vision or nearly so in it.  As long as the macula is not involved usually you will have pretty decent vision after any surgery that's done.  My detachment did not affect the macula and thus my outcome was pretty good.  Mine was just due to bad luck.  I'm a bit near sighted but I had the same risk of detachment as everyone else; about 1:20000...someone has to be a statistic and I guess my number came up.    

I still hunt and shoot as much as or more than before even and I refuse to let it rule my life.  Good luck with yours and I hope it turns out as good as possible.  Rick.

[BenBow]

Prayers for God's wisdom and healing

[Don Stokes]

My right and dominant eye is very bad from being hit by a rock in my youth.  As I write this I am in a waiting room being examined for surgery. Good news is that my left eye is 20/20 and my bow shooting is fine. Both eyes open, focus on the target, no problem. I can't shoot a gun with sights at all with that eye.

[Doc Nock]

Cataracts I've had many friends with, this detached stuff, no clue.

Sounds like you find the best doc you can who gives you the most confidence, then go with them and be trusting in He Who Rules.

Keep the Son in BOTH eyes!  Prayers for a great result!