Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Coventina

(30,079 posts)
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:06 PM May 27

Good news! My sister's partner's intense eye surgery went well!!

***WARNING! DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH!***

A few months ago, my sister's partner had a traumatic eye injury (there's a thread on it somewhere here).

He had surgery today to:

1. Drain his eyeball of the fluid inside of it
2. Scrape off scar tissue from the retina
3. Repositioned his retina
4. Put in a gas bubble to reinflate his eye
5. Put a silicone band around his eyeball to put it back in his skull (eyeball had to be partially extruded for this).

Now he has to remain face down for a few days without moving while the whole thing heals.
During that time the gas bubble will shrink and his eye will refill with fluid as it heals.

They said best case scenario is he gets 90% of his vision back.
(He was down to almost none).

Modern medicine can do amazing things!!

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Good news! My sister's partner's intense eye surgery went well!! (Original Post) Coventina May 27 OP
Gaaahh! I saw the warning but read anyhow. That sounds horrifying! Ocelot II May 27 #1
Hope all goes well, that is amazing. bucolic_frolic May 27 #2
Pretty much, yeah! Except for the restraints. Coventina May 27 #3
Wow. The medical miracles that can be worked these days. That's amazing. LoisB May 27 #4
Right?!?! I can't imagine. Coventina May 27 #5
Yay!!!! SheltieLover May 27 #6
Sending continuing healing vibes to your family, Coventina Niagara May 27 #7
Fantastic! MLAA May 27 #8
Reading that post JoseBalow May 27 #9

Ocelot II

(131,901 posts)
1. Gaaahh! I saw the warning but read anyhow. That sounds horrifying!
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:09 PM
May 27

I hope his recovery goes well and quickly.

bucolic_frolic

(56,404 posts)
2. Hope all goes well, that is amazing.
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:11 PM
May 27

How does one remain face down for a few days without moving? This sounds like head in a vice, strapped to a table, catheter in place.

Coventina

(30,079 posts)
3. Pretty much, yeah! Except for the restraints.
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:14 PM
May 27

They have to rent a special bed like a massage table, with a head/face hole for him to sleep on.
And, be awake on, really. He's supposed to not move except for the barest essentials!

LoisB

(13,785 posts)
4. Wow. The medical miracles that can be worked these days. That's amazing.
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:29 PM
May 27

I am very glad for him. How does one remain face down for a few days though? That has got to be tough.

Coventina

(30,079 posts)
5. Right?!?! I can't imagine.
Wed May 27, 2026, 08:31 PM
May 27

A test of mental fortitude, and reminding oneself that the option is blindness (in that eye).

I hope he can sleep through most of it.....

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Good news! My sister's p...