How do you sleep with your head down after eye surgery?

Instead of getting a special face-down pillow with a space cut out for your face, you can arrange a large towel into a horseshoe shape to support your head as you sleep. You can also place trays on top of pillows or bean bags to make a useful surface for eating, reading or using a laptop or tablet.

How do you sleep face down after eye surgery?

Making Your Face-down or Sideways Recovery easier:

Lying down: Lie face down on a pillow; have the recovering side of your face hang off the edge of the bed. This helps reduce pain and keeps pressure off your operated eye. Anytime: Use special equipment that can make it easier to stay face down or sideways.

How long do you have to keep your head down after eye surgery?

Typically, face-down positioning is required for several days to a week and, in some cases, longer. This method of recovery can prove to be awkward and uncomfortable for the patient, leading to discomfort and morbidity, especially in cases of advanced age or musculoskeletal disorders.

How long do you have to sleep face down after vitrectomy?

Patients having vitreo-retinal surgery for a macular hole will need to posture face down for 14 days; for other conditions this is only necessary for 5 days.

What happens if you don't keep your head down after retina surgery?

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.

What to Know About Face Down Positioning After a Vitrectomy Surgery

How long do I have to sleep on my side after retinal surgery?

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.

Can you drive with a gas bubble in your eye?

Can I travel? You cannot fly in an airplane or drive above 1000 feet elevation if you have an air or gas bubble in your eye. Talk to your doctor about the duration of this restriction.

What position should you be in after vitrectomy?

Face-down positioning (FDP) is recommended after vitrectomy and gas tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) [1, 2] or for macular hole (MH) surgery [1–33].

Can I bend over after a vitrectomy?

Avoid any bending or lifting for 1 week after surgery. After 1 week, you may do light housework and bend over to pick up light objects. Then, gradually resume your regular activities.

What not to do after vitrectomy surgery?

Don't do things that might cause you to move your head. This includes moving quickly, lifting anything heavy, or doing activities such as cleaning or gardening. If your doctor used an oil or gas bubble to hold the retina in place, keep your head in a certain position for a few days or longer after the surgery.

Do you have to posture at night after eye surgery?

Daily Activities and Sleeping

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 bend over after eye surgery?

“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”

How do you know when the gas bubble in your eye is gone?

Later on, your sight will begin to return. 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.

How do you sleep comfortably face-down?

Instead of getting a special face-down pillow with a space cut out for your face, you can arrange a large towel into a horseshoe shape to support your head as you sleep. You can also place trays on top of pillows or bean bags to make a useful surface for eating, reading or using a laptop or tablet.

Why do you have to sleep sitting up after eyelid surgery?

If you have facelift, eyelid surgery or another facial rejuvenation procedure, you will be advised to sleep with your head elevated (i.e., above your heart) during the initial healing period. This helps minimize swelling and avoids irritating your healing incisions.

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.

What can you not do with a gas bubble in your eye?

Cautions. As long as there is a gas bubble in your eye you must not fly in an aircraft or travel to higher altitudes. The reduced pressure in the cabin of an aircraft or at higher elevations, will cause the gas to expand and increase the pressure 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.

How do you wash your hair after a vitrectomy?

You may shower and wash your hair carefully the day after your surgery. Do not scrub your head vigorously. Avoid getting soap and water in your eye. Do not let the water pound on your face.

Why keep head down after vitrectomy?

The authors note that in larger holes “the distance between the broken ends of the retina is so large” that, even after traction is relieved with vitrectomy and ILM peeling, “it requires a strict prone position to ensure that the gas bubble, under a sufficient or partial absorption state, keeps the intraocular gas- ...

How much pain is normal after vitrectomy?

Discomfort is common immediately after surgery and several days following. This is primarily related to swelling on the outside of the eye and around the eyelids. A scratchy feeling or occasional sharp pain is normal following a vitrectomy. Icing the swollen areas will help to reduce the soreness and aching.

Can I go for a walk after vitrectomy?

You may walk, read, and watch TV, but it is important to follow any positioning requirements that your surgeon may have given you. You can resume your normal diet but start with light foods and drink first. Do not drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after your surgery.

How long does it take for the air bubble to go away after a vitrectomy?

Air bubble can remain in the eye for about 2-10 days depending on the volume. The patient's vision will be limited as the air bubble remains in their field of vision. As air gets absorbed by the eye, the eye produces its own fluid which will serve to keep the eye formed and nourished indefinitely.

How long does it take for the gas bubble to dissolve after retina surgery?

Depending on the gas, it can take between 2-6 weeks for the gas bubble to dissolve. As the gas dissolves, patients may notice that the bubble breaks up into several smaller bubbles until they finally disappear. Correct post-operative posturing helps to increase the overall success of the surgery.