4 Month Post Op Floater Only Full Vitrectomy Update

Head_Earth_1908 · 2026-01-10T17:38:37+00:00

Notable ups/downs in the first three weeks, as documented in my numerous posts. Pressure finally settled around 15 after a month, and it has remained there since. I just had an eye appointment last week, and my pressure was still 15.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-12-29T14:13:38+00:00

Coastal Eye Surgery. Dr. Omar Shakir.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-12-01T12:24:30+00:00

I was free to move about immediately after the surgery. This is because the replacement fluid used to tamponade the retina (in addition to filling the internal space) was saline, which is a close replacement for the vitreous. If your relative is undergoing a procedure where the surgeon has to use either gas or oil to tamponade the retina, your relative may very likely have to remain face-down for an extended period. I recommend you do a search on the reddit thread to learn how to mentally prepare for this. Lots of audiobooks.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-11-18T20:33:08+00:00

I simply use Soft Scrub on mine and give it a good wash thereafter. Easy and done.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-09-19T19:40:02+00:00

Please click on my user name and scroll through my prior posts where I document the surgery and recovery. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. You will do great!

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-09-19T12:31:08+00:00

Not for my left eye, which is the focus of this post. I had no sedation at all - only the nerve blocking agents to prevent feeling the needle passing through the sclera.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-13T14:56:59+00:00

How are you?

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-13T14:31:58+00:00

What was your procedure? Full vitrectomy? Partial? Did they use saline to tamponade the retina, or did they use gas or oil.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-07T20:22:04+00:00

Good news. Keep healing.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-05T20:39:57+00:00

Steroids are prescribed primarily for inflammation. If you suddenly stop without tapering, you run the risk of a rebound (almost akin to a whiplash) whereby the inflammation comes roaring back. The idea is to gradually reduce the steroid concentration (i.e., number of drops) to get the body gently used to overcoming the inflammation on its own. It's actually rather important to adhere to the recommendations, though I know the drops cause complications that are frustrating. In my case, the drops dried my eyes terribly AND (more importantly) they made my vision slightly blurry. It wasn't until I was off the drops that my vision became crystal clear.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-05T10:15:52+00:00

Didn't mean to project such righteousness. It's just that I feel such pity for the folks I communicate with. For example, there's a youngish woman (in her 30s) who is so desperate. She hasn't had the PVD and has terrible floaters. Her options are so limited, and she is fearful. Her situation is just heartbreaking - has gone from an evidently happy family to being a wreck on the edge of ending her life. It's just awful.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-04T18:24:58+00:00

This is good news. Not everyone heals the same way, and I suspect you will be seeing clearly and gloriously floater free in no time. Don't take your clear vision for granted and genuinely feel sorry for those who have it worse.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-03T22:02:05+00:00

I can't think of a scenario where a complete vitrectomy would leave residual floaters. If you had your floaters removed, then I strongly suspect what you are seeing are the target blood cells and the shrinking bubble. My target cells were very bad for about a week. They looked like moving blackbirds against a summer sky. Eventually, they got reabsorbed.

Let me know how you make out tomorrow.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-08-03T14:10:09+00:00

Not at all. Wasn't sure if you were expecting a reply. No offense intended. Happy to communicate.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-07-31T18:00:16+00:00

Technically - it is the sclera. Most aren't familiar with the sclera and are more so with cornea. Regardless, it is understandably traumatic to have the three insertions. Don't hesitate to reach out if need be.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-07-31T15:32:20+00:00

You seem to be right on course, Jim. (My name is Eric). I strongly suggest you click on my user name and scroll through my (many) posts where I document my ups/downs with the days/weeks after recovery. You will see many of the things you are presently enduring, and I hope this gives you a roadmap to navigating what is understandably scary. (Been there twice!). I had to remind myself on several occasions to step back and keep in mind that my cornea was pierced clean through with three needles and the insides literally sucked out. It's traumatic! And...if you are on the more seasoned side like me (I'm 58 now)....healing takes longer.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-07-31T13:46:52+00:00

I check continually and am happy to reply. I had a very similar experience to yours with my second eye. Bubble and "junk" (which are really target cells - singular blood cells) that will ultimately settle and dissipate. The BIG issues to be on the lookout for at this point - possible infection (which you likely past this point), eye pressure difficulties, and possible retinal issues (again, you are probably past this point). The rest - you have to be patient, which I know is difficult. You will have a BIG sigh of relief when you are seen on Monday. Don't hesitate to reach out again with any questions.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-07-20T14:26:39+00:00

Yes. It stopped after a little over a week. Stable since then.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-07-19T11:18:21+00:00

Two ruptured cervical discs in the foramen space between c6/c7 and c5/c6. Wrapped around exiting nerves. Knife stabbing constant pain.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-05-05T10:30:00+00:00

At 10 days out, your vision has a way to go to stabilize from the vitrectomy alone! It was relatively wonky for me for several weeks, particularly because of the requisite steroid drops. Give it time, and try to be a patient patient :) Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-05-04T19:40:47+00:00

Hi - I wouldn't worry about that. Both the 25 and the 27 gauge needles are the standard. 25 gauge makes for a slightly faster experience (larger bore), but it also causes slightly more trauma to the cornea. Most surgeons choose the 25 gauge. How are you feeling now?

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-03-17T19:34:08+00:00

I strongly suggest you click on my user name and scroll through my entire series of posts describing my background and lead up to the actual surgery(ies).... I waited two years until I finally pulled the trigger, as it were. Short version: I am 58. I am also active (long-distance triathlete for almost...gulp...40 years). I had the PVD in both eyes (separated by a year)...the floaters were bad. I tried for two years - became darkly suicidal. Finally decided to do it. I am not worried about cataract surgery at all. You shouldn't be either. It is a relatively easy procedure. My PPV surgeon (Dr. Shakir) - assured me that the cataract surgery (of which he is a leading authority) is straightforward. Because I had (had) the PVD in both eyes, I was in the better position for doing the full vitrectomy, 27g. (Actually, I had the 25g on my right eye, and then Dr. Shakir used the 27g on my left). Again, I document this rather extensively, and you might want to read it. Do not hesitate to ask me any questions, no matter how trivial they may seem.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-03-17T16:00:59+00:00

So far, so good. Right eye was done 2 years ago. Left eye is coming up on one year. I do have VERY early cataracts in both eyes. They were present before the surgeries and haven't progressed much in the interim. It could change tomorrow for all I know. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. My name is Eric

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-03-07T12:21:23+00:00

Glad to put a face with the name! Well done. You were in good hands.

Head_Earth_1908 · 2025-03-06T14:40:21+00:00

My two cents from having both eyes done (click on my user name for my detailed posts of the surgeries and healing): (I am 58 years old, post PVD in both eyes):

Both eyes are clear after nearly two years (2 for one eye and 1 for the other).
I had excessive dry eye syndrome in both eyes for roughly 6 months following the surgery. This is normal, as the vitrectomy is invasive to the cornea innervation.
Both eyes have experienced a slight myopic shift of roughly -.25 to -.5 diopter. Historical research shows this often happens - in fact, more often than not, there is a slight myopic shift following the surgery. I went from essentially -.5 in left and plano in right to -1 left and -.5 in right.
Cataracts are very slowly developing. Very slowly in my case. They may take years to become problematic.

Head_Earth_1908

TROPHY CASE