Detached Retina Surgery Recovery: 5 Things You Need to Know

When you undergo retinal detachment surgery, it's essential to follow your doctor's advice and instructions for a smooth recovery. Our doctors take the time to meet with patients to ensure they understand what to expect during the procedure and afterwards. In this article, we'll discuss five crucial things you need to know about recovering from detached retina surgery.

1. Understand Your Recovery Timeline

After repairing a retinal tear, you may require some form of treatment such as a laser procedure or cryopexy. The good news is that most cases can be treated easily in the clinic, rather than an operating room. However, it's crucial to remember that until your bubble fully resolves, avoid traveling on planes or driving through mountains above 2,000 feet due to bubbles expanding with elevations.

2. Limit Your Daily Activities

Plan to limit your daily activities and give yourself plenty of time to recover. You'll still need additional healing time after your face-down time is up. Our fantastic surgical coordinator team at Elman Retina Group can help coordinate this process for you.

3. Prepare Your Recovery Space

To make your recovery more comfortable, consider renting or purchasing equipment like a facedown chair to help with your position. Storing important items on the floor for easier access can also be helpful.

4. Face-Down Position is Crucial

The facedown position is often the biggest challenge that patients report during recovery from retinal detachment repair. It's essential to keep your head in this position until your doctor says otherwise. For most people, this means remaining in a facedown position for about a week, give or take a few days.

5. Prioritize Your Eye Health

Retinal detachment is a serious condition that requires immediate surgery to prevent irreversible vision loss. If you've undergone retinal detachment surgery, it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions and prioritize your eye health during the recovery process.

In conclusion, recovering from detached retina surgery requires careful attention to detail and a commitment to following your doctor's advice. By understanding what to expect during the recovery process and taking steps to prepare for your return home, you can ensure a smooth and successful outcome.

Detached retina surgery recovery 5 things you