Frequently Asked Questions

Gas or oil bubbles are used in retina surgery to either close holes or help keep the retina attached. The gas bubbles rise up and press against the highest position of the eye. Depending on the area of damage to the retina, your doctor may ask you to position on your left side, right side, face down, upright, or some combination of these positions. You should try to stay in that position 90% of the time, taking breaks to eat, stretch, go to the bathroom, and have a bath or shower. You can rent a massage chair that often helps in this position. At night, you should do your best to stay in this position as well. Your doctor knows how difficult this can be, but we can’t stress enough how important it is for the success of the surgery. Your doctor will tell you how long this is necessary.

You should be concerned if the eye becomes increasingly more painful and the pain medication stops working, the vision gets darker and/or dimmer, or a green discharge appears.

One drop will be an antibiotic. It is meant to prevent an infection. One drop will be perfect. It is a steroid drop. It is meant to reduce inflammation and promote healing. It usually is continued for the longest time and is gradually tapered over several weeks. One drop will be atropine. It dilates the pupil and prevents the iris from going into spasm. It is usually used for 1-2 weeks. Many times, patients are started on other drops to lower the pressure in the eye. These are adjusted as needed. Sometimes, even pills are required to lower the pressure in the eye.