The glob you are looking at in this eye is mucus covering up something called a scleral buckle. It is used to hold a detached retina in place. I have them in both eyes. This one is in my right eye, the one that I use to read and navigate my world. You shouldn’t be able to see it. It is supposed to be covered by tissue. This one has a broken suture and is exposed under my eyelid. This has caused a bacterial infection that is hard to control. One consequence is that I can’t wear the specialized contact lens that replaces the missing lens in my eye. I don’t see as well with my nearly quarter-inch thick glasses.
I have an appointment with my Retina Specialist on Wednsday, June 17, to address the problem. Hopefully, it will not involve another viterectomy surgery. If it does, the natural vitreal fluid in the eye will be replaced with silicone oil, air, or a gas. Recovery times vary from 3 weeks to 6 months or more. I’ve had 6 vitrectomies and all 3 types of fluid replacement.
My goal for the next procedure is to someday be able to see the 2nd line on the eye chart. This will enable me to read and write large text, use my lathe, and get across the street safely. It will also reduce the burden on my devoted wife, Karen.
I hope you never have a retina detachment. Here are some risk factors and symptoms you should be aware of:
RISK FACTORS
-Age
-Near-sighted
-Diabetes
-Recent Cataract Surgery
I had 3 of the above risk factors. (I don’t have diabetes). There is a 2% chance of a detachment after cataract surgery. There is an 80% chance that surgery can repair a detached retina. Clearly, my results were way outside of the law of probability. One of my retina surgeons advised me to never buy a lottery ticket.
SYMPTOMS
-A dark curtain advancing across the field of vision
-Flashes (They can look like lightning)
-Floaters (Dark spots or strings in your vision)
-Distortion (Seeing lines that aren’t straight)
If you have any of the above symptoms, it is imperitive you see an eye doctor IMMEDIATELY! The longer you wait, the more damage can occur. Treat it like it was a heart attack. Be especially watchful after cataract surgery.
I hope this helps someone.
LDT June 12, ‘26
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Larry it hurts my heart to hear what you are going through. At the same time, I appreciate the explanation that allows me to better understand what you experience.
This has definitely dragged on too long, and I think that qualifies you to tell folks to be careful! It truly is important. It’s no fun to think you have bad vision and then find out none is much worse! No one should wait for that black curtain!
Good luck with the doctor this next visit. You’re due a little healing in that eye!