Hey guys
I'm 2 weeks post op and thought I would post a little update. Surgery only hurt a little this time. My first day post op my pressure was 4 and my eye was extremely blurry. I went a few days feeling like I was screwed and I would never get my sight back and then wahla! It started slowly coming back and now I'm back to my presurgery vision. One week post op my pressure was 14 which is much better. I still have one very small peice of frill in the same place it was before (I just discovered this today) but it is nothing like it was. So surgery was a partial success again. I'm done with surgeries officially for many reasons. One reason (the main reason) is I don't want to push my luck anymore. I've had good luck all three times so far and definitely don't want to push it. I have to face the fact that my eyes will never be perfect like they used to be. I have been helped a lot by my doctor and I'm so thankful for meeting him! He has helped me tremendously!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
Fov#3
Hey guys. Just thought I'd post a small update. I'm going for vitrectomy #3 in the morning to clean up a peice of vitreous hanging off my lense that I can see flapping when I'm in bright light. It's not as distressing as floaters but it's pretty distressing. I'm extremely nervous because I know it's game over after this surgery and I will have to live the rest of my life with these results so please pray for good results for me. I'll update whenever I can.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Vitrectomy#2 FAQ
Hey guys! Sorry its been a while since I've posted. I've had a lot going on. Since I last posted I had my second FOV. this time on my left eye. i'm gonna answer the same questions I answered about the last surgery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY FOV
What was your floaters like? crystal worms,strings,thin clouds, and blobs. This eye had them stuck together to make one huge blob. This huge blob was not there when I had my first surgery. It happened sometime between my 1st and 2nd surgery.
Which eye did you do and why? Left because my right was already done.
And Who was your surgeon? I will not disclose my surgeon for a couple of reasons. My surgeon is what I would consider pretty local (2 hours away) and is not a "FOV surgeon" as in he is not known for FOV. he told me he has actually only done 7 of them, I would be his eighth. He told me nobody had ever complained of frill. Im beginning to wonder if i'm his first floater patient who has not had previous cataract surgery though because I'm his first patient with frill. I do not want to have a bunch of floater patients emailing and calling him about floaterectomies. He wouldnt even discuss FOV with me until I seen him in clinic anyway. I will say that he is in Columbus Ohio. He is very sympathetic and all around an amazing doctor even if I was left with some problems (Frill). Also he was very hesitant to do the FOV. He did not just go for it. He carefully explained the risks, and made me take time to think about them first.
Was PVD induced? Why or why not? No because my vitreous was too stuck to my retina.
inpatient or outpatient? Outpatient...no hotels this time. I made the 2 hour trip back home and back up there the next morning.
Cost? idk...insurance paid for it.
Surgery experience? surgery was basically the same as last time only a bit more painful. I had to ask for more anesthesia when it became unbearable.
Sutures? Yes . At first sutures are very itchy and uncomfortable and as the days go by they slowly become more tolerable.
Am I better off than before surgery? Yes. even with my frill that I will be having corrected if possible on feb 7th. Well im not even sure that this is frill. he said its a peice of vitreous behind the lense and hes not sure if he can correct it but will try.
YOUR QUESTIONS FROM FACEBOOK
WAS IT A COMPLETE SUCCESS AND DO YOU HAVE FRILL? see question above
REALISTIC RECOVERY TIME TO RETURN TO WORK? I went back to work 9 days later this time
WILL YOU SURGEON DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME TO MAKE LESS FRILL? im about to have frill surgery....
HOW BAD WERE YOUR FLOATERS BEFORE YOU WERE TO THE POINT OF WANTING FOV DONE? BAD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.
..
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY FOV
What was your floaters like? crystal worms,strings,thin clouds, and blobs. This eye had them stuck together to make one huge blob. This huge blob was not there when I had my first surgery. It happened sometime between my 1st and 2nd surgery.
Which eye did you do and why? Left because my right was already done.
And Who was your surgeon? I will not disclose my surgeon for a couple of reasons. My surgeon is what I would consider pretty local (2 hours away) and is not a "FOV surgeon" as in he is not known for FOV. he told me he has actually only done 7 of them, I would be his eighth. He told me nobody had ever complained of frill. Im beginning to wonder if i'm his first floater patient who has not had previous cataract surgery though because I'm his first patient with frill. I do not want to have a bunch of floater patients emailing and calling him about floaterectomies. He wouldnt even discuss FOV with me until I seen him in clinic anyway. I will say that he is in Columbus Ohio. He is very sympathetic and all around an amazing doctor even if I was left with some problems (Frill). Also he was very hesitant to do the FOV. He did not just go for it. He carefully explained the risks, and made me take time to think about them first.
Was PVD induced? Why or why not? No because my vitreous was too stuck to my retina.
inpatient or outpatient? Outpatient...no hotels this time. I made the 2 hour trip back home and back up there the next morning.
Cost? idk...insurance paid for it.
Surgery experience? surgery was basically the same as last time only a bit more painful. I had to ask for more anesthesia when it became unbearable.
Sutures? Yes . At first sutures are very itchy and uncomfortable and as the days go by they slowly become more tolerable.
Am I better off than before surgery? Yes. even with my frill that I will be having corrected if possible on feb 7th. Well im not even sure that this is frill. he said its a peice of vitreous behind the lense and hes not sure if he can correct it but will try.
YOUR QUESTIONS FROM FACEBOOK
WAS IT A COMPLETE SUCCESS AND DO YOU HAVE FRILL? see question above
REALISTIC RECOVERY TIME TO RETURN TO WORK? I went back to work 9 days later this time
WILL YOU SURGEON DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME TO MAKE LESS FRILL? im about to have frill surgery....
HOW BAD WERE YOUR FLOATERS BEFORE YOU WERE TO THE POINT OF WANTING FOV DONE? BAD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.
..
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Mental vs physical
I believe vitreous degeneration is a physical condition that most people don't have. Doctors will tell you everyone has them but when it comes to the extent that we have floaters, heck no it's NOT normal. I was recently contacted by an ophthalmologist looking into vitrectomy for herself. It makes me sad for her, however I'm glad an ophthalmologist gets it. I wish more eye doctors understood the condition without having to go through it themselves. I think Floater only vitrectomy should be a common procedure and studied more in depth. They need to realize what frill is and how it can be prevented and fixed.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Ok guys! The FAQ section I'm about to post was written a couple months ago. Things have changed with my frill for the better since this was written. I will make a new update about my frill and answer all of your questions underneath the FAQS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY FOV
What was your floaters like? crystal worms,strings,thin clouds, and blobs.
Which eye did you do and why? I did my right eye even though my left has more floaters. I did this because there was a huge crystal worm stuck in the center of my vision of my right eye. My left eye has a lot more but I think the vitreous is more liquified there so they are more free flowing.
Very annoying , but I just couldnt get past that one crystal worm in my central vision of my right eye. and I do plan on getting my left done.
And Who was your surgeon? I will not disclose my surgeon for a couple of reasons. My surgeon is what I would consider pretty local (2 hours away) and is not a "FOV surgeon" as in he is not known for FOV. he told me he has actually only done 7 of them, I would be his eighth. He told me nobody had ever complained of frill. Im beginning to wonder if i'm his first floater patient who has not had previous cataract surgery though because I'm his first patient with frill. I do not want to have a bunch of floater patients emailing and calling him about floaterectomies. He wouldnt even discuss FOV with me until I seen him in clinic anyway. I will say that he is in Columbus Ohio. He is very sympathetic and all around an amazing doctor even if I was left with some problems (Frill). Also he was very hesitant to do the FOV. He did not just go for it. He carefully explained the risks, and made me take time to think about them first.
Was PVD induced? Why or why not? yes PVD was induced. I wanted PVD induced although I wasnt really given the option. He thought I already had a pvd from ultrasound anyway. But he said if I didn't then he would only do it if when he got into the eye he thought it woud be safe and effective. After surgery he told me he only left a little behind the lense to protect from cataract. He also told me some parts were very adherent to my retina and that was "the bulk of the work". He never mentioned retinal tears, laser, or cryo. so I'm assuming all went well.
inpatient or outpatient? Outpatient, I stayed in a fancy hotel the night before and the night after. If I was going to go through this trauma I wonted to pamper myself:)
Cost? idk...insurance paid for it. And if it didn't then it was going to be paid for by a low income program at that hospital.
Surgery experience? I was taken in and a cap (like a shower cap was put on my head) all nurses were extremely optimistic and upbeat. They were surprised at how young i was (26). I also had a gown on. I was on a chair like a dentist chair. I signed some papers, was explained the risks again, etc. Surgeon drew an X above my Right eye and called it my tattoo. Local anesthesia. After the anesthesia was given everything became a blur. I remember being rolled to the OR and it was very cold in there. The nurses put warming blankets on me. I saw a bright light and a blurry image of my doctor. I asked if it was my doctor and he said yes and thats all that was said from me the whole time. I was in and out of consciousness. I saw the needles in my eye, heard the vitrector, and saw the kenalog being injected. Yes I felt pain but I was so drugged up I didnt care (I forgot to say along with the anesthesia I took clonazepam). I'm pretty sure he had students watching because in my previous appointments they followed him around and during surgery I heard him say "It's hard to get off because she's so young". I dont know what gauge was used but I did hear him ask someone to hand him "the23 guage"
Sutures? Yes and i'm glad because I have a huge fear of hypotony. My pressure only runs 9-10 as it is. they were miserable and itchy and felt like I had sand in my eyes but I wouldnt have chosen any other way.
Patch was removed the next day. I was surprised there was no floaters. Everything was yellow for about 5 minutes then normal color. very blurry but better than expected.
I was off work for two weeks.
It took over two weeks for vision to be back to normal because I remember being back to work and the clock on the wall being blurry from a seat where its usually not. Idr exactly how long until pre surgery vision though.
I noticed frill the night of the surgery. I thought it was flashes and freaked out. flashing arcs at the top and bottom of my vision. I had no clue it was going to turn into the dreaded frill (but hey better than retinal detachment) surgeon looked and everything checked out perfect.
I know my vitrious remolded. Over the weeks I began to see what looked like cracked glass in my right periphery in certain lighting situations. then it looked like a giant black eyelash against my pillow. and now I can see my vitrious skirt. flashing arcs at the right and bottom of my vision when light hits it a certain way. Best I can explain is like lightening strikes. I also have shadows in the bottom of my vision that bounce intermittenly. they arent as annoying as the lightening things though. also, when i'm outside, in my right periphery it looks like their is hairs hanging down in front of my face.
Am I better off than before surgery? Yes. All my problems was moved from central vision to peripheral. I am not ecstatic about the results and would consider getting them fixed but I do not have any regrets. Im very afraid that I will get them fixed but the problems will worsen like the stories ive read on floatertalk
YOUR QUESTIONS FROM FACEBOOK
HAVE THE FLASHES GOTTEN ANY BETTER AND DO YOU HAVE ANY POST OP FLOATERS? THE FLASHES HAVE GOTTEN A LOT BETTER OR IM GETTING USED TO THEM. IM HONESTLY NOT SURE. NO POST OP FLOATERS. I HAD KENALOG DEBRIS AND IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS FOR THEM TO GO AWAY COMPLETELY. I THOUGHT THEY NEVER WOULD. I ALSO HAVE A FEW TARGET CELLS AND THEY ARE NOT BAD.
WAS IT A COMPLETE SUCCESS AND DO YOU HAVE FRILL? THE FLOATERS ARE ALL GONE SO IT WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS IN THAT RESPECT BUT I DO HAVE FRILL. ITS NOT WORSE THAN THE FLOATERS,
REALISTIC RECOVERY TIME TO RETURN TO WORK? I WENT BACK TWO WEEKS LATER BUT I WAS STILL A LITTLE BLURRY BUT IT WAS WORKABLE .I WOULD GUESS THAT EVERY SITUATION/PERSON IS DIFFERENT. IF I WANTED TO BE COMPLETELY CLEAR WHEN RETURNING I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO WAIT ABOUT 3.5 WEEKS.
WILL YOU SURGEON DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME TO MAKE LESS FRILL? I DO NOT KNOW, BUT I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FRILL SO MUCH I WOULD SAY HE PROBABLY WILL TRY A LITTLE HARDER IN THE PERIPHERY THIS TIME. HE HAS ALSO RESEARCHED FRILL A LITTLE BIT AND HE HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT BEFORE HE MET ME.
HOW BAD WERE YOUR FLOATERS BEFORE YOU WERE TO THE POINT OF WANTING FOV DONE? BAD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.
..
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MY FOV
What was your floaters like? crystal worms,strings,thin clouds, and blobs.
Which eye did you do and why? I did my right eye even though my left has more floaters. I did this because there was a huge crystal worm stuck in the center of my vision of my right eye. My left eye has a lot more but I think the vitreous is more liquified there so they are more free flowing.
Very annoying , but I just couldnt get past that one crystal worm in my central vision of my right eye. and I do plan on getting my left done.
And Who was your surgeon? I will not disclose my surgeon for a couple of reasons. My surgeon is what I would consider pretty local (2 hours away) and is not a "FOV surgeon" as in he is not known for FOV. he told me he has actually only done 7 of them, I would be his eighth. He told me nobody had ever complained of frill. Im beginning to wonder if i'm his first floater patient who has not had previous cataract surgery though because I'm his first patient with frill. I do not want to have a bunch of floater patients emailing and calling him about floaterectomies. He wouldnt even discuss FOV with me until I seen him in clinic anyway. I will say that he is in Columbus Ohio. He is very sympathetic and all around an amazing doctor even if I was left with some problems (Frill). Also he was very hesitant to do the FOV. He did not just go for it. He carefully explained the risks, and made me take time to think about them first.
Was PVD induced? Why or why not? yes PVD was induced. I wanted PVD induced although I wasnt really given the option. He thought I already had a pvd from ultrasound anyway. But he said if I didn't then he would only do it if when he got into the eye he thought it woud be safe and effective. After surgery he told me he only left a little behind the lense to protect from cataract. He also told me some parts were very adherent to my retina and that was "the bulk of the work". He never mentioned retinal tears, laser, or cryo. so I'm assuming all went well.
inpatient or outpatient? Outpatient, I stayed in a fancy hotel the night before and the night after. If I was going to go through this trauma I wonted to pamper myself:)
Cost? idk...insurance paid for it. And if it didn't then it was going to be paid for by a low income program at that hospital.
Surgery experience? I was taken in and a cap (like a shower cap was put on my head) all nurses were extremely optimistic and upbeat. They were surprised at how young i was (26). I also had a gown on. I was on a chair like a dentist chair. I signed some papers, was explained the risks again, etc. Surgeon drew an X above my Right eye and called it my tattoo. Local anesthesia. After the anesthesia was given everything became a blur. I remember being rolled to the OR and it was very cold in there. The nurses put warming blankets on me. I saw a bright light and a blurry image of my doctor. I asked if it was my doctor and he said yes and thats all that was said from me the whole time. I was in and out of consciousness. I saw the needles in my eye, heard the vitrector, and saw the kenalog being injected. Yes I felt pain but I was so drugged up I didnt care (I forgot to say along with the anesthesia I took clonazepam). I'm pretty sure he had students watching because in my previous appointments they followed him around and during surgery I heard him say "It's hard to get off because she's so young". I dont know what gauge was used but I did hear him ask someone to hand him "the23 guage"
Sutures? Yes and i'm glad because I have a huge fear of hypotony. My pressure only runs 9-10 as it is. they were miserable and itchy and felt like I had sand in my eyes but I wouldnt have chosen any other way.
Patch was removed the next day. I was surprised there was no floaters. Everything was yellow for about 5 minutes then normal color. very blurry but better than expected.
I was off work for two weeks.
It took over two weeks for vision to be back to normal because I remember being back to work and the clock on the wall being blurry from a seat where its usually not. Idr exactly how long until pre surgery vision though.
I noticed frill the night of the surgery. I thought it was flashes and freaked out. flashing arcs at the top and bottom of my vision. I had no clue it was going to turn into the dreaded frill (but hey better than retinal detachment) surgeon looked and everything checked out perfect.
I know my vitrious remolded. Over the weeks I began to see what looked like cracked glass in my right periphery in certain lighting situations. then it looked like a giant black eyelash against my pillow. and now I can see my vitrious skirt. flashing arcs at the right and bottom of my vision when light hits it a certain way. Best I can explain is like lightening strikes. I also have shadows in the bottom of my vision that bounce intermittenly. they arent as annoying as the lightening things though. also, when i'm outside, in my right periphery it looks like their is hairs hanging down in front of my face.
Am I better off than before surgery? Yes. All my problems was moved from central vision to peripheral. I am not ecstatic about the results and would consider getting them fixed but I do not have any regrets. Im very afraid that I will get them fixed but the problems will worsen like the stories ive read on floatertalk
YOUR QUESTIONS FROM FACEBOOK
HAVE THE FLASHES GOTTEN ANY BETTER AND DO YOU HAVE ANY POST OP FLOATERS? THE FLASHES HAVE GOTTEN A LOT BETTER OR IM GETTING USED TO THEM. IM HONESTLY NOT SURE. NO POST OP FLOATERS. I HAD KENALOG DEBRIS AND IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS FOR THEM TO GO AWAY COMPLETELY. I THOUGHT THEY NEVER WOULD. I ALSO HAVE A FEW TARGET CELLS AND THEY ARE NOT BAD.
WAS IT A COMPLETE SUCCESS AND DO YOU HAVE FRILL? THE FLOATERS ARE ALL GONE SO IT WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS IN THAT RESPECT BUT I DO HAVE FRILL. ITS NOT WORSE THAN THE FLOATERS,
REALISTIC RECOVERY TIME TO RETURN TO WORK? I WENT BACK TWO WEEKS LATER BUT I WAS STILL A LITTLE BLURRY BUT IT WAS WORKABLE .I WOULD GUESS THAT EVERY SITUATION/PERSON IS DIFFERENT. IF I WANTED TO BE COMPLETELY CLEAR WHEN RETURNING I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO WAIT ABOUT 3.5 WEEKS.
WILL YOU SURGEON DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME TO MAKE LESS FRILL? I DO NOT KNOW, BUT I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FRILL SO MUCH I WOULD SAY HE PROBABLY WILL TRY A LITTLE HARDER IN THE PERIPHERY THIS TIME. HE HAS ALSO RESEARCHED FRILL A LITTLE BIT AND HE HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT BEFORE HE MET ME.
HOW BAD WERE YOUR FLOATERS BEFORE YOU WERE TO THE POINT OF WANTING FOV DONE? BAD ENOUGH THAT I DIDNT WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.
..
Friday, August 19, 2016
2nd FOV
I just wrote my surgeon about scheduling my next FOV for my other eye. My heart has a heavy feeling and I want to puke. He hasn't emailed back yet.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Goal/frill
My goal for this blog is not to convince anyone to have an FOV (floater only vitrectomy). I believe it's a personal decision that needs to be taken very seriously and only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Ask yourself, can you live with the floaters? Am I on the verge of suicide? Are they a minor annoyance? How often do I see them? How big are they? Do they consume me? What if something goes wrong during surgery? How happy will I be after surgery if it's a success? Am I willing to trade floaters for potential frill?
My goal is to support and educate sufferers. I've been down this road and have a lot of knowledge about the subject. One main question I'm asked almost daily is what is frill? What does it look like?
Frill is very hard to describe and can be different for everyone. Sometimes it's like a lightening strike in my very periphery. Other times it's like black hair in my periphery. To me it's less annoying than floaters. It depends on what kind of light situations I'm in. Frill is the remaining vitreous left In your periphery to protect the lense from cataract. Many people think the vitreous is useless. This is false as it serves as a protection mechanism for the lense. If too much is left you will get frill. If too much is taken you most likely will get a cataract. It's true that the FOV rarely goes perfect but often times there is improvement.
My goal is to support and educate sufferers. I've been down this road and have a lot of knowledge about the subject. One main question I'm asked almost daily is what is frill? What does it look like?
Frill is very hard to describe and can be different for everyone. Sometimes it's like a lightening strike in my very periphery. Other times it's like black hair in my periphery. To me it's less annoying than floaters. It depends on what kind of light situations I'm in. Frill is the remaining vitreous left In your periphery to protect the lense from cataract. Many people think the vitreous is useless. This is false as it serves as a protection mechanism for the lense. If too much is left you will get frill. If too much is taken you most likely will get a cataract. It's true that the FOV rarely goes perfect but often times there is improvement.
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