Retinal detachment: when can I expect to ride again?

[fiamme red]

I have severe myopia and have been warned by ophthalmologists over the years that I was at risk for retinal detachment. On Monday, it happened. I was losing the lower field of vision in my left eye pretty quickly (it looked similar to nitrate decomposition of film stock from the early 20th century), so I went to the ER Monday evening. My surgery was done on Tuesday. I can now discern light and some vague shapes but mostly everything is a blur from the left eye. I'm told that as the gas bubble injected into my eye starts to shrink, my vision will improve.

The doctor said that I'm going to have to avoid any exertion for the next few weeks. For those here who have had the procedure done on your eye, how long did you stay off the bike? I'm not thinking about doing any hard rides, just easy riding around my neighborhood or my mostly flat 11-mile round-trip commute.

[thwart]

No personal experience.

But… before I’d even get on the bike I’d have a little discussion with the ophthalmologist (sh*t can happen even on an easy around-the-block ride, especially in NYC).

Geez… if it was my eye, I might even consider taking a stool softener…

[bigbill]

I had a retinal detachment around 1990 which was repaired about 36 hours later. I was fortunate to have a great surgeon and complete recovery, which is subjective because I have some spots that I have learned to ignore. As far as recovery, I was pretty concussed so taking it easy is all I wanted to do. It's been over thirty years and the rest of the details are kind of fuzzy. I had ten stitches in my scalp as well.

[2LeftCleats]

Had it about 7-8 yrs ago. Spent about 3 weeks laying on one side. Seems like it wasn’t long after that that I went back riding. I did end up with a bit of double vision so now have prisms in my glasses for sharper distance vision, but the brain compensates and it’s hardly noticeable. I too had severe myopia as well as cataract surgery which is also a risk factor. And I’ve had tears on the other side. Surgeon says the medical term is “crappy retinas”.

[buddybikes]

Not telling you head down?

He will probably let you ride, not hard, after 2-3 weeks and clearance that the surgery was all fine.

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by buddybikes

Not telling you head down?

He will probably let you ride, not hard, after 2-3 weeks and clearance that the surgery was all fine.

I had to keep my head own the first day and night, but now face forward is allowed after the follow-up the next day.