Post deep sclerectomy surgery recovery - severe fogginess causing severe worry and depression

[westvw75]

(Posting on behalf of my dad)

My dad, who is 80, had a deep sclerectomy on his right eye on 13 May. His left eye is already damaged and the right eye has some damage, but they did this to try and secure the sight in that eye.

All seemed to be going well and he could get out and about in the couple of days after the operation, but the vision has become very blurred in the eye - like looking at things from deep underwater. He's become increasingly desperate as the days have passed, not believing anything will ever get better as the vision is not improving at all.

We have had a follow up appointment a week after the operation and went to an eye clinic a couple of days ago as well. Doctors at both have said that recovery takes time and varies and that there are no signs of damage from the operation. The pressure is low and use of atropine and a contact lens put in on the following up visit have all been given for reasons for the poor sight.

He was wondering if others have had similar experiences. If he could believe things will get better, and have a clearer idea of how long it will take, it would help his feelings immensely. He's lost a lot of things in his day he used to like doing (walking, crosswords, the horses, tv and sport).

Thanks

[Montalb]

I found a reaction to steroid drops after surgery clouded my vision. The more steroids I took the worse it was. When the steroids were reduced the foggyness reduced after a few days and when the steroids were stopped my vision cleared up - gradually. I don't know if this is the case with your father.

[Littletreasures]

I had surgery on my eye last year and following it my pressure in that eye dropped to 4 and was very cloudy. I had very little vision in that eye and could just see light and dark. I was on atropine drops for about 4 months which didnt seem to help much but maybe it did but I just didn’t notice. . It took about 5 months before I began to get some useable vision back and was able to drive during daylight. I am coming up to a year now since the surgery and my vision in that eye is not what it was before the surgery. My doctor suggested stitches in that eye but I’d had enough so declined. The pressure has gone up to 5 now and i manage ok with the way my vision is now. I can drive with glasses during daylight and read using my good eye. I am 60 so still hoping I can continue to drive for a few more years. From my experience I’d say your dad has to allow time and that it might take up to a year to improve and for him to adjust.