[hope1]

#1058729

Since my potassium levels are now normal, I can proceed with two orbital decompressions in Jan. I am really excited to move forward. I have dipopia at all gazes now, and realize this could remain after the decompressions. It would be difficult for it to get worse ! But I guess that is possible.

My surgeon has indicated that I may need eye muscle surgery. I am hanging onto a job I love. How soon are the eye muscle surgeries typically done after the decompression? I realize that there are many factors that could impact the timing.

I am a bottom line person and having some info or hearing others experiences really helps. I understand the sequence of surgeries but don’t know how much time typically needs to lapse between each surgery.

[Bobbi]

#1169654

I’m sure you will get some responses from folks who have experienced this sequence of surgeries. I would think that you would need to heal completely from the decompression before they could start the strabismus surgeries, and that may vary from one person to the next. If there is any tissue swelling caused by the surgery, it would adversely affect the results of the strabismus.

ARe you using a patch? Covering one eye eliminates doubling. It requires some mental adjustments (we lose depth perception if we are only using one eye), but it can tide us over until we get rid of the doubling altogether. Prisms on our glasses can also help some folks (although they were no help to me — I had to use the patch.)

[Ski]

#1169655

Hi Hope1,

Your surgeon is smart to prepare you for muscle surgery — the fact is that the successful function of our eyes depends on very fine coordination between the two eyes, so in order to make that function perfect, it can easily require muscle surgery after decompression. Decompression is meant to create an eye socket large enough to accommodate your eyes. It will definitely provide relief. Then there may be some fine adjustments that need to be made in order to get the muscles attached to the eyes correctly, now that the eye position has shifted. Even after that, your lids may require a little surgery to finish the look. Everyone I’ve met that has done decompression and muscle surgery has been very pleased they took that step, and for the most part, they were surprised with the speed of recovery, so hopefully you can count on the same result. It’s infinitely better than the issues caused by your eyes being in the wrong position. I hope that helps, and good luck with your procedures!

[snelsen]

#1169656

Hi, do read some of my posts, either by my name, or by OD. I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED my strabismus surgery! Did I mention that I loved it???!!!!
I had severe double vision looking forward, up and sideways. The only normal vision I had that was not double, was looking down at the floor. My scalp, head and neck were in spasm all the time from cranking my head around so I could see something with on image. I had my head thrown way back all the time so my downward vision could see some sitting in front of me. It was pure hell.
Now, the answer you want to hear~ I immediately had mono vision after the strabismus surgery. It was absolutely wonderful. Easy, easy recovery, no pain. I used cool packs and had the head of my bed up for three nights, to reduce any potential swelling. Other people noticed it right away.

I had OD in one eye, I do wish I had done both of them. My major problems are burning, scratchy eye, eyes that tear all the time, eyes that are very sensitive to light. But I do not have one bit of double vision.

Sounds like you have a good surgeon. Generally a different eye surgeon does the strabismus surgery, than the doc who does the OD’s. Do write again.
Bottom line??? I don’t think I could have lived with the double vision that I had. Glad I did not have to.
Shirley

[hope1]

#1169657

I will have a different doc for the eye muscle surgery. I will have this procedure done at the same medical center where I did the orbital decompressions. I have two months before I can have the surgery and I count the days.

I have given up driving, am working for home. Pretty much housebound and I have led an active, active life. I never experienced the major, major downs with this disease despite the fact I lost alot of my appearance (normalcy). The skin aged so much with the eyes stretched out, the orbital decompressions almost made it look worse. However, the double vision is the worse of all. I have tried to always be positive, but this stage is a challenge.

The hope is to give me vision to see straight ahead. Honestly, I don’t even think about what I will do if it is not correctable. My vision now is like looking in distorted mirrors. I run into things, bump into people at social gatherings. I do wear a patch at all times, but it becomes uncomfortable after the recent surgeries.

Surgery in March. I am going into it assuming success. It is the way I am wired and I am convinced staying positive helps with the process. Bless to all of you.

[Author]

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