Finding out I had a retinal detachment in my right eye was, quite honestly, terrifying. I wasn’t given a pamphlet, a guide, or even a reassuring word – just a quick mention that the procedure I’d be undergoing was called a scleral buckle and that I could research it if I wanted. So, naturally, I went straight to Reddit and spiraled downward. Hard.
Here’s what I want you to know if you’re in that same scary place: It’s NOT as terrifying as it seems. Scleral buckle surgery has been around for 60+ years, and the procedure/process gets better and better. Could you imagine being the first person to get a buckle, though? Yikes… no thanks.
But I wish I had a resource that could have answered my questions and quieted my fears, so that’s exactly what I hope this article can be for you.
How Long is Recovery?
To be honest, I’m still recovering. My surgery was on December 3, 2024, and while I’m far better than I was in the beginning, it’s a slow process (and I emphasize SLOW).
The first two weeks were the hardest. My eye was red, gunky, and incredibly uncomfortable. I mean, how comfortable can stitches ON your eye be? But little by little, things improved. Eventually, I could look around – left, right, up, and down – without that initial pain or resistance. Healing takes time, but every week, even every day, brings noticeable progress.
In my first week post-op, I was on an antibiotic eyedrop (Neo/Poly/Dex) that I put in 4x a day. After that, I got put on a steroid eyedrop (Prednisolone) that I also did 4x a day until I got my second bottle… then it dropped down to 3x times a day for two more weeks. Now, I am off prescription eyedrops and only use preservative-free eyedrops (Systane Ultra, by choice) to soothe dry-eye if needed.
Did it Hurt?
I was under general anesthesia, so I didn’t feel a thing during the surgery. When I woke up, they handed me a single oxycodone (I think; I was pretty zooted already) and sent me on my way… With a designated driver, of course. Any pain afterward was easily manageable with Extra Strength Tylenol. So, while the idea of eye surgery sounds painful, in reality, it wasn’t the pain that was the hardest part – it was just the weirdness of it all. But I also didn’t go around poking or touching my eye, so I’m sure if I was doing something crazy, there would’ve been more pain.
Did Anything Change Post-Op?
Here’s the part that took some adjusting: the buckle WILL impact your vision.
Before surgery, my prescription in my right eye was -7.00. Now? It’s -8.00… which is honestly SO much better than I was expecting. For some reason, I was terrified it would be a -10 or something drastic. I even told myself I’d be okay if it was around -9.50, but -8.00? I’ll take that! I did have to carry on through life with an outdated prescription for a few months before I was cleared to get new glasses and contacts. So, if you saw me between December 2024 through February 2025, just know I probably didn’t see you.
Even with my new prescription… I want to mention, though, that I still feel a difference between my left and right eye. I can’t quite pinpoint exactly what it is, but it’s there – especially when I’m reading or looking at my phone. Colors in my right eye seem a little more muted, like there’s a faint filter over everything, and there’s another subtle shift in how I perceive things that I can’t fully describe. It’s not enough to disrupt my daily life, but it’s just noticeable enough that I find myself aware of it, like an ever-so-slight imbalance in the way the world looks through each eye.
Side note: there was some post-op haziness that initially freaked me out, but it cleared up within 2-3 weeks, so don’t panic if things look a little foggy at first!
How is My Eye Now?
Physically, my eye looks almost normal again. The redness is almost fully gone (but it easily returns), and I was finally cleared to wear contacts again two and a half months post-op after my eye had stabilized enough for a new prescription.
I do still see flashes (which is annoying), and I still have a blind spot in the top peripheral of my vision. Not everyone continues to have this post-surgery, but unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones. I also still have double vision if I look straight down with just my eyes. The good news? The doctor said all that could still improve with time. Healing from a retinal detachment or scleral buckle is different for everyone, and while I can’t predict how things will turn out for you, I can say that it gets easier with each passing week.
Some Final Thoughts to Leave You With
If you’ve just been told you have a retinal detachment and will need a buckle, and you’re staring at your screen, feeling the weight of uncertainty settle in, let me tell you something: you’ve got this! Yes, it’s scary, but it’s not as bad as your brain is making it out to be. It’s okay to worry, cry (I did a lot of that), or even mourn, but please try not to lose sleep over it (clearly talking from experience, I definitely did not sleep).
Be patient with yourself. Trust the process. And know that even if no one else is giving you the information you need, you’re not alone in this. Also, don’t let your inner voice keep you from calling that emergency post-surgery hotline number… I called it three times in one week thinking my eye was infected, and I’d do it again for the sake of my own sanity! And please. Stay far away from the horror stories on Reddit… those are NOT your stories.
Warning: The following image may be graphic to some. Viewer discretion is advised.
3 Days Post-Op
Present Day (3 Months Post-Op)
But go view my pre-surgery pic in my last article and play Spot the Difference!
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