A Patient describes his retinal detachment experience:
I wrote this article in an attempt to describe my experiences with a detached retina. Early in October of 2007, I began to notice a blurring of vision in my left eye. At about the same time my peripheral vision also began to diminish somewhat before the ladder symptoms. I also noticed many small dots or floaters in my left eye. Sometimes at night flashes of light would appear for a short period of time. At times I did not associate all the symptoms of a detached retina to my situation. I was 64 years old at the time and had 20/25 vision in both eyes. Until now I had never experienced any eye related issues of any kind. I did become concerned and went to go see my ophthalmologist to describe my vision issues. When the doctor looked behind my left eye he discovered a detached retina. I did not even know what a detached retina was at the time. He made an appointment for me on the following day at 8:00 am at the Midwest Eye Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. My appointment was with Dr. Maturi, who I did see at 8:00 am. I was nervous and apprehensive about the entire situation. Dr. Maturi came to the same conclusion, a detached retina, he began to explain my options for retina repair. Dr. Maturi explained two different procedures to fix the retina. The first procedure could be done in the office immediately. The second procedure was a more intrusive method, actual surgery. Dr. Maturi and his staff were very concise in explaining the procedures, then gave me time to decide which repair procedure to do. I was still quite nervous and upset at the thought of any procedure. After consultation with my wife and friend Laura we opted for the office procedure. Again this was far less intrusive than surgery and the recovery time would be quicker.
With this procedure Dr. Maturi would attempt to freeze the retina back in place, insert a small gas bubble to help hold it in place as it healed. This procedure was nearly painless and was completed in about 10 or 15 minutes. I went back the next day as was prescribed, only to find the retina failed to re-attach itself. Dr. Maturi explained the failure was the result of scar tissue that built up between the retina tissue and the eye wall. I had the detached retina longer then I thought, thus the scar tissue had time to form. If caught earlier this procedure would have had a much higher success rate as explained by Dr. Maturi. We now only have one option that being surgery. Dr. Maturi scheduled my surgery within a couple of hours.
In the surgery, which was performed at the same facility, you are put to sleep for a very short time and then awake for the procedure. Dr. Maturi removes the vitreous gel in the eye, removes the scar tissue, and then with a laser re-attaches the retina. The surgery only took around 30 minutes and was totally without pain. I then spent about one hour in recovery and was released to return home. I did forget to mention he inserted a gas bubble to help hold the retina in place during the recover process. I then went on a strict schedule of eye drops for the next 30 days to prevent infection and help with the healing process.
After a series of follow-up visits my retina is still in place and now I am seven months past my surgery date. I am on a four-month schedule of follow up visits as Dr. Maturi monitors the healing process and addressed a few retina issues with my other eye as well. For any patient who may be faced with a retina detachment, retina tear, or holes in the retina I strongly recommend you schedule an appointment with Dr. Maturi at the Midwest Eye Institute. I can assume no one was more fearful or apprehensive about the entire process then I was. Dr. Maturi and his staff gave me confidence and subsided my fears to the entire procedure. Anyone facing similar problems as mine may feel free to call me at (765) 963-3879. I would be more than happy to share my experience and possibly reassure you to the abilities of Dr. Maturi and his staff.
Thanks Dr. Maturi,
Robert Berry