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David

Thanks for the info on retinal problems on your website. After being diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy last year now left with smal"scar" over maucal on L/eye my consultant, after 9 months noticed in the R/eye a 1mm hole which no flyid, but had appeared sealled - 2 weeks of worry and back and all the floaters and everything for years were explained as you say. No change after 2 weeks but it looks like the 1mm hole had sealed itself and could have been there for years. Still see all the small(blood) floaters and the few spidery ones but hope itll be fine. Never had flashing lights just saw stars after coughing twice!

best regards

Bruce

Thanks for the reading on your retinal detachments. I am recovering from having had a retina detachment 2 weeks ago and your description of your experience has been quite infomative. Great pictures!

Thanks David. That all helped me to get some perspective on whats happening to me right now.
Good luck to you
Peter

Hi David,

I found 'malaysian road rules' amusing and reflective of the real situation. Some observations to add:

1. Malaysian drivers always take the racing line. If they are on the left lane of a two-lane road, they will cut across to the right when the road curves right. Same thing when they are hogging the right lane and the road curves left.

2. Malaysian motorcyclists ride Perpetual Motion Machines. They never stop at junctions to Stop, Look, Go.

3. Malaysian drivers feel the need to straddle the dotted line of a two-lane road. That way you cannot overtake them. Also, with the dotted line between their legs they won't go off track.

I have just read your account of your retina detachments.
I experienced a retina tear in my left eye in 2004 at age 55. It was quickly repaired by laser treatment.
In 2005 I had a retina detachment in the same eye. This was fixed in emergency surgery. The surgeon did a vitrectomy and inserted a gas bubble. He even did cataract repair/lens implant while he was at it. All this while conscious, albeit sedated. I didn't see any needles, etc as my face was covered and the left eye's optic nerve blocked by local anaethetic. The patch was off within 24 hours and I was driving within a week. The gas dissipated within 8 weeks. My recovery was 100% and my eyesight improved.
This year, in May 2009, I had cataract surgery in my right eye at age 60. That went well, but three weeks later June 4, 2009, I experienced the symptoms of retina detachment in that eye. I was operated on within 24 hours. Same surgical format, same surgeon. The gas bubble is still dissipating as I write this, but the surgery again has been deemed 100% successful.
Hopefully people will read your experiences and learn the symptoms of retina detachment before its too late. Flashing lights, floaters, near-sightedness, cataract surgery, are all risks and indicators of retina detachment.
Rob Thompson
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Hi David,

Actually followed the link on your twitter account. What awesome pictures you've taken. They're a treat indeed! Each one has a story to tell..a hallmark of great photographs, in my view.

I also read with interest your experience with detached retina (never heard of it before) and the delightful recipes with nuts. I'm sure you've got tons to share about tropical and organic gardening too.

Warm regards,
Bhavani

Thanks for taking the time to write about your experience. I found it very helpful. I just had the freezing, bubble and laser for my retina two days ago.

Hi David,
My Spanish partner has had two retinal tears in a month and was lasered back together again. We have found it hard work getting information and a prognosis from his doctor here in Spain so discovering your website was indeed a great find. Obviously each person is unique and their experience with this problem is too, but I just wanted to thank you for going to the trouble of posting what you went through. Your story was tremendously helpful and positive, despite all the problems you encountered and we sincerely hope that you continue in good health.

Hi David,
Thanks so much for your info on retinal detachment. Like others I met at Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency, I had no idea of the seriousness of a blurry eye with a few flashes, until my retina detached. I'm now recovering from my second op which included a vitrectomy and after 4 weeks and 2 gas bubbles can finally walk around for more than 5 minutes at a time! What a great reminder of how much we all take for granted in our lives, and how vulnerable we are. Thanks also for the remainder of your website that I found fascinating. Best wishes, Clare from Sydney.

Hi Helena,

If you refer to the 6th paragraph under the sub-heading 'Update January 2006' in my Detached Retina story, you will see some references to the differing opinions of doctors about flying after suffering a detached retina.

To answer your question specifically, yes, I am still doing a lot of flying and it hasn't caused me any problems in the last three years.

Cheers . . . David

Hi,
I read your story about the retina detachment. I went through the same thing 3 times and didn't fly since because I am scared. Are you flying and yoyu are doing okay?
Thanks
Helena

Hi David

Thanks for posting Nutritious Nuts. Have been following a healthier eating plan (which includes nuts). It was great to read all the info you found and the afternoon snack mix recipe looks good too!

Fiona M

Hi David -

Great info on your detached retina experience. I too had a detached retina in my right eye in late 1997. I had the laser welding done - I thought it felt like someone jamming a knitting needle into the back of your head! Luckily nothing major has happened since.

My vision recovered pretty well, although not totally, and I get the wavy disruption to straight lines too - looking at a sheet of graph paper reminds me every time.

We are so lucky to have retained our vision, and those who have 20/20 sight have no idea how lucky they are to see the world with such clarity.

Hope your eyes remain well,

Rick Burlow
Magellan Mine Site
Western Australia

Hi David,
I am glad to see that you are well - and still have that great sense of humour, which I remember you for during your days at Astro - where it was needed badly ;-)

I most enjoyed your Malaysian Road Rules article and the fabulous pictures you have taken.

Thank you for a most entertaining website.

Take care and keep on trekking.

Viji Rajasundram

Hi Kath,

I'm surprised that your consultant told you he/she is not certain what causes the flashing in your eye. The eye surgeons that have operated on my eyes have all told me that it is caused by the vitreous jelly pulling on the retina - so I didn't think there was any doubt about what causes the flashing. In fact, it is that action of the vitreous jelly pulling on the retina that causes the detachment in the first place, which is why a retinal detachment is usually accompanied by flashing in the eye.

Yes, it should settle in time, once the vitreous jelly has fully detached from the retina. One eye doctor told me that shouldn't take more than 6-8 weeks, but I still have flashing in my right eye more than two years after the vitreous detachment started in that eye, so for some people it can last a lot longer.

Regards . . . David

Hi David,

Many thanks for posting your story re. your retina traumas. It serves as a fantastic warning to anyone that if they ever experience a black curtain or strange light flashes within their eye/s to get themselves straight to casualty. Until it happened to me I didn't realise just how much I took my eyesight for granted and how frightening it is to think about the possibility of losing your sight. I came across your story whilst searching on the internet for some support after recently having the "buckle" op for my detached retina. Like yourself, I still get a lot of flashing in the eye which really freaks me out at times. My Consultant says that it will hopefully settle in time although they are not certain why it happens but think that it may be as a result of the brain getting confused! I wish you all the very best for the future and hope that your eye traumas are now well and truly over. Thanks again.

Hi David , having just experienced a retinal tear ,myself , along with all the symptoms and laser treatments, as described by you ,I found it strangely comforting to know that others have had the same problems and worrying moments as I have .Thanks for sharing it with us . Best regards Geoff Hickling Kiama Australia

Hi David,
There is actually a guidebook about driving to be sold in Malaysia. However, if you really want to buy a copy for it, you will have to pay about RM6 at any driving school nearby (Not those little shops down the streets with an "L" sign as they're places only for registration to learn driving). I'm really sorry about the police officer part. It has been a fact that police officers stop drivers for no reason and ask for money. You certainly have to keep an eye on them whenever you drive especially during the public holidays and any other celebrations. All the best driving in Malaysia.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

David- Thank you for the posting /article about your detached retina experience. I am very near sighted (-10) and need cataract surgery soon... This increases the chances of a detached retina to about 6% (I have heard). Your article was very helpful in understanding what to expect if this should happen.
Anna