Please login to post a response.

• macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-11 15:49:55 By Elizabeth S
• My nine year old has an injury involving the cordodial layer and macular layer. He has cordial tears (3) and macular hole. A golf ball at the driving range hit him. He has peripheal vision, but no central vision. The retinist is having us to to surgeon Tuesday 11-13-07 for surgical consultation. Is any one having or had similiar injuries who could give me the best advise. The surgical procedure of vitrectomy is said to be difficult in a child his age - as the vistrous gel is quit thick and would need to be scraped out rather than extracted. Many concerns, but most important, what are the right questions I should be asking.

• Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-15 19:55:45 By russ r
• Elisabeth S.
  I just saw your post today, 11-15. By now you should have seen the surgeon for preop consult. I'd be interested in what he said. I imagine he talked about ocular pressures from this procedure and optic nerve damages, as well as retinal detachment possibilities. Due to his age, did the doctor say there was any recovery?
  russ r.

• Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 12:06:06 By Elizabeth S
• Thank you for the response. Yes I have met with the surgeon, Tuesday last. All of which you bring up have been addressed. His eye pressure has increased to 20. There has been a change, and it was discovered that there is optic neuropathy - due to optic nerve compression. There is not anything that they can do at this time (he actually said there is nothing that can resolve this) and yes cataract, glaucoma and retinal detachments are things he will experience in the future. The hole in the macula procedure will close the hole (I chose gas vs silicone oil. He remains at 20/200 and still only see's peripherally - perhaps the procedure will give him central vision - this remains to be seen. No promises - just that will not be a police officer or fireman.
  Again, thank you for your response and if I am missing anything please let me know.

• Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 12:43:43 By Elizabeth S
• Russ - I forgot to mention that there is fluid build up - I am unaware of this being one of the signs of vessel growth ( is this true?). I too will need to keep an eye of this as to the scarring would contribute to central vision loss, but know that Laser trtment will resolve this. At this time the first obstacle is still the macular hole repair. We are scheduled for 12-19-07- what an awful time for this procedure for my son! I am tempted to cancel, but his vision is all I can think about. I was also told of a six month window for healing from injury. I have been in limbo for three months two weeks. I hope waiting another month will not impede his healing window - have you heard the same?
  Again, thank you Liz
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 13:21:04 By russ r
• Elizabeth S
  I've had many issues with my left eye, that parallel what your son is facing. But not the macular hole. Due to his age, I feel he may have a good chance to restore some of his central vision. I'm no doctor, but was faced with blindness when I was 6, diagnosed by several eye doctors. I am not blind, have 20/20 vision in one eye and 20/30 in my bad eye. I have glaucoma in the bad eye, along with mild macular degeneration. My biggest battle is with vitreous change, a common problem as we age.
  if I were you, I would have the operation done as scheduled. you can look at this as a present for the holiday season with chance of him improving in a few months. AS for fluid buildup, that usually only occurs in the back of the eye when there is leakage. In the front of the eye is where the optic pressure changes, resulting in optic nerve damage. Doctors can control the pressure in the eye with drops or a procedure called SLT. I suspect your eye doctors will want to wait until your son is several months into his healing before considering anything else to be done. My prayers are with him and you and your family. I have, unfortunately, too much experience with my bad eye over the last nearly two years, and offer any experiences I have should you require. Best wishes for the holidays. Russ R.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 14:39:05 By Elizabeth S
• Thank you. I have given these concerns in prayer as well. I will keep you updated. Right now I am just dismayed from such a unpredictable accident. Very devestating, with one exception he has his left eye at 20/20. I have been told that his depth perception - that is mono at this time - will be compensated through his left eye in time. That is encouraging. May your holidays be blessed and your continued care will keep your sight stable. Liz

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 16:41:10 By russ r
• Elizabeth S.
  A good friend of mine had an eye injury in his early years. He was about 12. His eye was damaged from an accident. That eye came back and he was able to live a very fruitful life. He is now in his 60's. Your idea that depth perception can be compensated for by the other eye is probably correct-my friend played high school and college level sports demanding depth capability and he played it well! Happy Holidays.
  Russ R.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 16:41:11 By russ r
• Elizabeth S.
  A good friend of mine had an eye injury in his early years. He was about 12. His eye was damaged from an accident. That eye came back and he was able to live a very fruitful life. He is now in his 60's. Your idea that depth perception can be compensated for by the other eye is probably correct-my friend played high school and college level sports demanding depth capability and he played it well! Happy Holidays.
  Russ R.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2007-11-17 16:41:12 By russ r
• Elizabeth S.
  A good friend of mine had an eye injury in his early years. He was about 12. His eye was damaged from an accident. That eye came back and he was able to live a very fruitful life. He is now in his 60's. Your idea that depth perception can be compensated for by the other eye is probably correct-my friend played high school and college level sports demanding depth capability and he played it well! Happy Holidays.
  Russ R.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2008-02-24 21:55:04 By Elizabeth S
• Hi Russ - It has been some time since I have been on the board, but have read many stories. Justin's is not the greatest. He went thru 21 days of facedown and many drops after his vitrectomy. He was an excellent patient. I am so proud of him. The hole indeed closed, although we just last week learned the he has lost his central vision. His vision peripherally that he can see (quite limited) is still at 20/200. He went for a refraction this past week and corrective lens will not help him - although we will put him in a pair of 3mm poly carb with some lens clarification. Justin is aware of the outcome and because we spoke of this so openly he is ok with it all. He is even making jokes about not messing with a good boy with only one eye... Or don't hit the good eye when the bad eye did it. He's an amazing kid and only 9.. They tell me - this is it - but ya know I really do believe in miracles and I will just sit and wait now. Thank you for listening my friend. Liz

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: macular hole from injury
• Posted: 2008-02-25 09:29:19 By russ r
• Elizabeth S
  
  Thank you for the update. Sounds like that 9 year old has the youthfull resiliency needed to adjust his life. Great attitude. I remain hopeful for him,since he's so young. Have you received more than one opinion? Perhaps from a university teaching hospital? They usually have the latest options for consideration. Also, for safety sake, perhaps a pair of safety glasses would be worthwhile to protect that other eye?
  
  best wishes. keep me informed. russ r.