Do you have to sleep face down after vitrectomy?

Face down (“eyes down”) posturing is only required during waking hours, not when you're sleeping. It is recommended to sleep on either side or even your front, but not sleep on your back as that would make the bubble move away from the macular hole.

What happens if you don't stay face down after vitrectomy?

Keeping your head in this face down position allows the bubble or oil to remain in the correct position so it heals as quickly and effectively as possible. Raising your head, flying in an airplane or even traveling to high altitudes during recovery can raise your eye pressure and cause other vision problems.

How long do you have to be face down after macular hole surgery?

Thus, the results indicate that 3 days of strict face-down positioning are sufficient to achieve closure of even longstanding macular holes without removal of the ILM.

How do you sleep face down after vitrectomy?

How long after vitrectomy can I lay on my back?

Do not lie flat on your back until the gas has been fully absorbed: this can be up to eight weeks; this varies depending on the concentration and type of gas we have used.

What to Know About Face Down Positioning After a Vitrectomy Surgery

Can you lay on your side after a vitrectomy?

It is recommended to sleep on either side or even your front, but not sleep on your back as that would make the bubble move away from the macular hole.

How long do you have to sleep on your side after a vitrectomy?

POSITIONING: Patients who undergo vitrectomy with gas bubble will need to position either right side down, left side down, or face down for 1 week after surgery.

How can I sleep comfortably on my face down?

On the front with the face down

To do so comfortably: Get into bed and carefully roll onto the stomach. Place a slim pillow beneath the abdomen and hips. Position a pillow or a rolled-up towel under the forehead to create enough breathing space between the mouth and mattress.

What can you not do after macular hole surgery?

You may be advised to avoid sleeping on your back following surgery, to make sure the gas bubble is in contact with the macular hole as much as possible. Your ophthalmologist will advise you whether you need to sleep like this and for how long.

How long do you have to posture after retinal surgery?

With a gas or oil bubble in the eye your surgeon may ask you to posture after the operation for up to 10 days. Posturing involves placing your head in a specific position to allow the gas or oil bubble to float into the best position to support the retina.

Is face down recovery necessary?

Long thought of as a standard post retina surgery recovery method, Face Down Positioning (FDP) is not necessary at New Vision Eye Center with retina procedures performed by Dr. Robert Reinauer. Typically, face-down positioning is required for several days to a week and, in some cases, longer.

Is face down positioning necessary after macular hole surgery?

A retrospective study of 68 eyes (65 patients) indicates that macular hole surgery with broad internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, 20 percent sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas and no face-down positioning is highly effective in the surgical treatment of idiopathic macular holes.

How do you lay down after macular hole surgery?

Face down (“eyes down”) posturing is only required during waking hours, not when you're sleeping. It is recommended to sleep on either side or even your front, but not sleep on your back as that would make the bubble move away from the macular hole.

How long does it take for your eye to heal after vitrectomy?

After the surgery, your eye may be swollen, red, or tender for several weeks. You might have some pain in your eye and your vision may be blurry for a few days after the surgery. You will need 2 to 4 weeks to recover before you can do your normal activities again.

How do you sleep after eye surgery?

You can generally rest or sleep by lying face-up or on the side that was not operated on. After certain surgical procedures, you may be recommended to sleep propped up on pillows to prevent inflammation. In most cases, your eye will be protected with a plastic shield so that no pressure is put on the eye.

How long does it take for vision to improve after vitrectomy?

It may take around two-four weeks or even more to get a clear vision after the vitrectomy procedure. The clarity of the vision after the procedure may be affected by the following factors: The eye drops used to dilate eyes during surgery may also cause blurry vision.

What are the restrictions after vitrectomy surgery?

You must not drive or operate machinery within 24 hours of having any anesthetic or sedation. If you were driving before the surgery, and your vision has not changed or is improved, you can drive 48 hours after the surgery if you feel visually comfortable. Be aware that distance judgment is often changed.

Is vitrectomy a major surgery?

Vitrectomy procedures are an effective surgery and severe complications are rare. According to the American Society of Retina Specialists, most surgeries have a 90 percent success rate.

How do I know when the gas bubble in my eye is gone?

The timing depends on the type of gas used: short-acting gas (SF6) takes 2 to 3 weeks to disappear; long-acting gas (C3F8) takes about 2 months. When the gas bubble is down to half size, you will see a horizontal line across your vision, bobbing up and down with head movement.

What is the healthiest sleeping position?

Sleeping on your back offers the most health benefits. It protects your spine, and it can also help relieve hip and knee pain. Sleeping on your back uses gravity to keep your body in an even alignment over your spine. This can help reduce any unnecessary pressure on your back or joints.

What happens if you sleep with your head downhill?

Blood flow when lying down

This can lead to increased fluid and pressure in the surrounding tissue of the brain as well, increasing pressure in the eyes and sinuses which can lead to conditions such as migraine, glaucoma and sleep apnea.

Is it better to sleep without a pillow?

While research is limited, anecdotal reports show that sleeping without a pillow can help reduce neck and back pain for some sleepers. Stomach sleepers are generally best suited for going pillowless, because the lower angle of the neck encourages better spinal alignment in this position.

What does posture mean after eye surgery?

Posturing involves keeping your head in a certain position to ensure that the bubble of gas or oil in your eye remains in the right position, this assists in keeping the retina flat. By keeping your head in a certain position the bubble will float up and towards the problem area in your eye.

Can I watch TV after vitrectomy?

Watching TV and reading will cause no harm. Your vision will remain blurred / poor for several weeks. Often the vision is distorted after surgery. This will vary depending on the type of operation, e.g. if a gas bubble is inserted into the eye, as the bubble shrinks you might see the edge of the bubble.

What is face down positioning?

Face-down positioning (FDP) is a standard posture recommended for patients following vitrectomy and gas tamponade procedures during macular hole (MH) surgery.