Can you swim after retinal detachment surgery with a lens implant?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Retinal detachment and having an implanted lens means you cannot swim, and if you wish to swim, it must be at least six months later. There are generally two types of surgeries for retinal detachment: vitrectomy with retinal repositioning, and scleral buckling. If a lens has been implanted, it means the natural lens was removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Therefore, after surgery, it is important to rest properly, maintain correct posture, attend timely follow-up appointments, monitor visual recovery and eye pressure, and use eye drops as prescribed.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Causes of Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment can be categorized into three main types: rhegmatogenous, tractional, and exudative. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is commonly seen in the elderly, highly myopic individuals, those having undergone trauma to the eye leading to the absence of the natural lens or having artificial lens implants, and those with a history of retinal detachment or a family history of the condition, which are risk factors. Tractional retinal detachment is caused by proliferative membranes pulling on the retina. It is observed in conditions like diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, and other ischemic retinal diseases leading to neovascular membranes, or due to proliferative scarring from penetrating eye injuries. Exudative retinal detachment typically occurs in conditions such as Coat’s disease, uveitis, and malignant hypertension.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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Retinal detachment refers to the condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position.

The structure of the human eye consists of three layers: the sclera, the choroid, and the retina. Retinal detachment is not actually a separation between the retina and the choroid, but rather a separation between the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer of the retina, which means it is a detachment between the inner nine layers and the outermost layer of the retina. Retinal detachment can be classified into three types: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which is mainly caused by a tear in the retina allowing the vitreous fluid to enter the subretinal space; tractional retinal detachment, which occurs due to vitreous and retinal proliferation exerting traction on the retina, commonly seen in diabetic retinal detachment; and exudative retinal detachment, which is caused by accumulation of fluid between layers due to abnormal choroiditis.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can you swim after retinal detachment surgery with a lens implant?

Retinal detachment and having an implanted lens means you cannot swim, and if you wish to swim, it must be at least six months later. There are generally two types of surgeries for retinal detachment: vitrectomy with retinal repositioning, and scleral buckling. If a lens has been implanted, it means the natural lens was removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Therefore, after surgery, it is important to rest properly, maintain correct posture, attend timely follow-up appointments, monitor visual recovery and eye pressure, and use eye drops as prescribed.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is vitreous floaters close to retinal detachment?

Floater syndrome and retinal detachment generally have no necessary connection. Floater syndrome is the clouding of the vitreous body. Mild vitreous clouding does not affect vision and manifests as floating objects in front of the eyes. Pathological vitreous clouding that affects vision requires further examination by an ophthalmologist, including an ocular B-ultrasound to diagnose the extent of the vitreous clouding, and proactive treatment should be administered. Retinal detachment generally involves the separation of the retina from the choroid. Once a clear diagnosis of detachment is made, active treatment should be pursued promptly to restore vision as soon as possible. If the treatment is delayed, it can easily lead to retinal atrophy, resulting in the shrinkage of the eyeball.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
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When is the second surgery for retinal detachment?

The question you asked is about when the second surgery for retinal detachment should take place, which implies that the first surgery for retinal detachment failed, necessitating a second surgery. Due to the proliferation of the retina, which generally peaks around two to three weeks, it is recommended that if the first surgery fails, the second surgery should be conducted about 10-14 days after the first surgery, which is about half a month later. This timing can help reduce the failure rate of the surgery and avoid the peak proliferation period of the retina.