March has been a very interesting month for us. Curtis had trouble with his right eye. Come to find out he needed surgery for a hole in his retna. The macula is the small part of the retina responsible for central vision. A tear or hole in the macula impairs a person's ability to see. Many activities, including reading and writing, may become nearly impossible. Curtis had this happen while sitting in Church on Feb. 6th. The hymn numbers on the wall disappeared!
This condition, most prevalent among the elderly, (This must mean he is becoming elderly??) arises when the vitreous (the jelly-like substance which fills the inner eye) becomes condensed and fibrous. The fibers often bond to the macula, and when they shrink, they exert a pulling force. A hole is opened and the surrounding tissue peels away from the eye, causing a loss of central vision.
To repair the macular hole, the surgeon (A terrific Dr. Adelberg in Mesa) removes the vitreous and replaces it with a gas bubble. The bubble rises and applies pressure to the area in need of healing. Since the macula is at the back of the eye, the gas bubble will only work if the patient's head is positioned facedown.
Pressure against the hole flattens the macula against the wall of the eye, (See Figure 3), and the impaired visual area is minimized. During the ensuing weeks, the afflicted eye will begin to heal, the macula will re-bond to the eye wall, and a new vitreous replaces the gas bubble.
Macular hole surgery is an easy, painless procedure with a successful track record of improving or virtually restoring vision. The real challenge for the patient is dealing with the monotony, stress and discomfort of a 22-24 hour-a-day facedown postoperative position until the gas bubble is absorbed--usually over a 2 to 6 week period.
Fortunately we found a massage table for him to lay face down for two full weeks (all that the doctor required) and part of a third week. If he was up during the day, he had to keep his head horizontal to the floor. He is doing well, following doctors orders. He can now tell between light and dark and see shadows in his right eye. He will have his vision back about the end of April - according to his doctor. So I will post more about this then.
So many friends have offered up prayers and support for us during this time.
