Detached retina.

[westley]

Ed,

I have had surgery for a detached retina in my left eye some 6 weeks ago. I was back at the Hospital yesterday and asked how soon I could resume my shooting, they all seemed a bit vague, including the specialist, but the general consensus was that recoil should not be an issue. (the cleaner was not available for comment !).  I have been going to the local ground with friends and just holding the coats, pressing the buttons and eating the sausage butties. I am going this Sunday and planned to try my 20 bore and 21 grams. I wondered if you have had experience of the condition and if it is effected by shooting. Thanks in advance. W.

 

[EdLyons]

Really interesting question, and to be honest, one that I'm not sure of the answer to! I'll ask one of our local medical retina surgeons and see what he says, although i would think six weeks SHOULD be ok!

Ed

 

[Jonny English]

A mate if mine who is a keen shooter has got 2 detached retinas, the left may not even be recoverable at all, it could be a write off. The right currently has oil in it awaiting removal. Think he has been told 6 months minimum of no shooting, but his could be a very bad case.

 

[westley]

A mate if mine who is a keen shooter has got 2 detached retinas, the left may not even be recoverable at all, it could be a write off. The right currently has oil in it awaiting removal. Think he has been told 6 months minimum of no shooting, but his could be a very bad case.

I was told that IF the gas bubble jobbie fails, then the next step is the oil bubble. Problem is, it involves an op to put in and then an op to remove again. I feel sorry for your friend because, according to my information, the 'write off',  is, eventually,  total blindness in that eye. The gas bubble at the back of my eye is starting to disperse now, but I was wondering if any recoil from shooting could upset the natural dispersion.  

Really interesting question, and to be honest, one that I'm not sure of the answer to! I'll ask one of our local medical retina surgeons and see what he says, although i would think six weeks SHOULD be ok!

Ed

Ed,

Thank you for that,. Just as an aside, do Pilla supply a 1/2 46N at a reduced rate ? (just the right side)      :???:  

 

[EdLyons]

Ed,

Thank you for that,. Just as an aside, do Pilla supply a 1/2 46N at a reduced rate ? (just the right side)      :???:  

The consultant says two months post op should be ok...

If you pay £150 for the right side you get the left side free!

 

[balltrap]

Just get the left side done then offer to pay him 50% for the right side = £ 75

 

[westley]

The consultant says two months post op should be ok...

If you pay £150 for the right side you get the left side free!

I just luv a BOGOF  !       Seriously though, thank you Ed,  for taking the trouble to gather the information for me. I think when this lot clears up a bit more I will treat myself to that lens. I had only just started shooting again after a 12 month lay off with a shoulder problem. When I am asked at the shooting ground if I can offer any advice to new shooters, my answer,  "Don't grow old"  !

 

[EdLyons]

I just luv a BOGOF  !       Seriously though, thank you Ed,  for taking the trouble to gather the information for me. I think when this lot clears up a bit more I will treat myself to that lens. I had only just started shooting again after a 12 month lay off with a shoulder problem. When I am asked at the shooting ground if I can offer any advice to new shooters, my answer,  "Don't grow old"  !

No problem - let us know how you get on!

 

[westley]

Bit of an update.

The gas bubble has completely dispersed over the past couple of days, but vision through the left eye is still quite blurred. I shot my 20 bore last week using 21 grams, but found it very hard to keep the left eye shut. On a lot of stands the target kept disappearing and reappearing, a bit like "now you see me, now you don't" . They were alright if against the sky, but otherwise could present a problem. I am back at the hospital on 2/8/16 and they are going to put me on the waiting list, for a cataract op on the left eye. They did tell me I would need this as a result of the retina job. I have to say that it has not been a nice experience and I feel truly sorry for the Guy mentioned above with 2 detached  retinas', he must be going through HELL. It does put a whole new meaning on "Keep an eye on the target" though !

 

[westley]

Now been told that I will require a cataract op, which will take place on 9th. September, this will involve inserting a lens in my left eye. I have asked that my right eye (which has been described as 'perfect') be allowed to remain my master eye and they have added that to my notes. So the chance of returning to shooting is not imminent.  I am hoping to have a go at DTL this weekend, should be able to shoot that with one eye closed !    :wink:

 

[ips]

that's a blow ....again.

were you doing one eyed trap. ??

 

[westley]

that's a blow ....again.

were you doing one eyed trap. ??

I have never really been able to shoot well with one eye closed, but at least with trap the parameters are constant and peripheral vision, or lack of it, matters less. I am hoping to put that theory to the test on Sunday and I am busily converting my MK10 back to it's Trap format to use. It does not really matter if my left eye is open or closed, the degree of vision  is the same.

 

[westley]

Well, a bit of a shock today. I went for my pre op, ready for the cataract surgery next week. The Optician taking my eye measurements asked about the laser surgery that I had in 1996. Anyway, it then culminated in her phoning the Optimax clinic in Manchester to see if they still had my records from 1996. It transpired that they had, but would only pass that information to me,  direct, at a cost of £20 or £80 if the FULL records were required. After a lot of faffing about, it was decided that if Optimax could get my records Emailed to me before next Friday, the day of my op, it will go ahead, otherwise it will be cancelled and  re-scheduled for another date. This led to my returning home and Emailing Optimax, attaching a letter from the Optician,  which asked for the various measurements both before and after the laser surgery. Optimax quoted up to 40 days for the information, but have said they will try to hurry things along !    Nobody will say if my detached retina was due to laser surgery, but I have been told that the cataract surgery is made more difficult after laser surgery. I would say that I have been very satisfied with the laser surgery results for the past 20 years and my eyesight has been almost perfect since. It transformed my life, not just for shooting, but generally.( I had a bit of a high risk occupation that was less risky without spectacles.) So, anyone considering laser surgery, I would say, do not be put off (I know a lot of others who have NOT had any problems), but it may pay to obtain your eye measurements both BEFORE and AFTER laser surgery and keep that safe (just in case) . I have been warned not to expect too much after the cataract op, but any improvement on the present condition would be acceptable, I really have struggled to shoot and as a result have locked my guns away for a while. So if anyone has a vacancy for a deaf and blind Referee, let me know ! I feel sure someone will have one at their local ground already.    

 

[ips]

I have a position available for a partially deaf one eyed esp coach if that's any good. Pay is not good in fact pay is none existent other than a brew and a sausage bun. ?

 

[westley]

Had the cataract Op on Friday, a bit more prolonged due to the earlier detached retina job. However, today I am starting to see things a bit clearer through my left eye. The eye is still very bloodshot, BUT it is clearing. I accept that the vision in the left eye will NEVER be the same again, but ANY vision is better than none at all. I am unable to shoot for 4 weeks, but then watch out,  I will shoot myself silly !

Thanks Ed, and everyone else who has been so helpful and supportive throughout my period of semi blindness (5 months) it has been really appreciated and has kept me sane.

 

[EdLyons]

Had the cataract Op on Friday, a bit more prolonged due to the earlier detached retina job. However, today I am starting to see things a bit clearer through my left eye. The eye is still very bloodshot, BUT it is clearing. I accept that the vision in the left eye will NEVER be the same again, but ANY vision is better than none at all. I am unable to shoot for 4 weeks, but then watch out,  I will shoot myself silly !

Thanks Ed, and everyone else who has been so helpful and supportive throughout my period of semi blindness (5 months) it has been really appreciated and has kept me sane.

Please keep us posted how you get on an d the vision once everything has settled.

I must say I'm a little surprised re the fees levied, you have a right to access your records through the Freedom Of Information Act, £80 seems very steep!

 

[Sian]

Had the cataract Op on Friday, a bit more prolonged due to the earlier detached retina job. However, today I am starting to see things a bit clearer through my left eye. The eye is still very bloodshot, BUT it is clearing. I accept that the vision in the left eye will NEVER be the same again, but ANY vision is better than none at all. I am unable to shoot for 4 weeks, but then watch out,  I will shoot myself silly !

Thanks Ed, and everyone else who has been so helpful and supportive throughout my period of semi blindness (5 months) it has been really appreciated and has kept me sane.

Happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery and before you know it those four weeks will be done.

 

[westley]

Please keep us posted how you get on an d the vision once everything has settled.

I must say I'm a little surprised re the fees levied, you have a right to access your records through the Freedom Of Information Act, £80 seems very steep!

Ed,

I ended up paying £20, BUT for that I got a full copy of the file by post on the Monday and the Eye Hospital received all of the notes that they required, by post,  on the Tuesday morning. So the Surgeon had all of the information that he required, by the day of the Op.

I would stress to people who may be considering having laser surgery that I have experienced 20 + years of almost perfect vision in my left eye,  AND perfect vision in my right eye. I feel that the laser treatment has in no way contributed to the current situation of the detached retina etc. and still consider the laser treatment one of my better decisions in life. I have been back to the Hospital today and although the eye is still swollen and bloodshot, I have managed to read all but the final 2 lines on the test board. It is the clearest that it has been since April. I have been advised to allow at least a further 4 weeks before any shooting, BUT hey ! I can go fishing, so all is not lost ! I am due back to see the Surgeon in 4 to 6 weeks, so will keep you informed.

 

[westley]

No problem - let us know how you get on!

Well, got the final 'all clear' today. At last, I can start shooting again. I may need prescription specs in the future to enhance, and I quote,  "My depth of perception". I can only say that if I had more 'perception' I may have stayed out of the brown sticky stuff more often !  I will need a cataract op. on my right eye at some time in the future, but hopefully, not for some time. So, I have to say that although it has not been one of my 'better' experiences, I am about to rage war on the clay pigeon fraternity, once more.