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Post-Surgery Recovery and Sugar Intake

During my recovery from retinal surgery I had been experiencing issues with inflammation in my left eye which was very frustrating because no one could tell me why it was happening. One crucial thing that I found out about post-surgery recovery and care is that a person’s diet plays a huge role in how fast or slow recovery will be and that the re-occuring inflammation I was experiencing could have been due to my sugar intake.

I read that during the recovery phase after retinal re-attachment surgery, managing sugar intake is essential for promoting healing and preventing complications after surgery. Though I don’t believe I eat excessive amounts of sugar, I will admit that I do tend to turn to chocolate for comfort when I am experiencing anxiety or depression and during this entire process I have been experiencing a lot of depression.

Managing Sugar Intake

According to Healthline.com, Medical News Today and Retinarecovery.ca, processed sugar should be avoided after any eye surgery. High sugar consumption can weaken the immune system, making patients more vulnerable to infection, which can hinder the recovery process and lead to inflammation. It's suggested that opting for a well-balanced diet that includes whole foods, lean proteins, and fiber, while limiting the consumption of processed and sugary foods, can significantly support the healing process and overall eye health before and after surgery. Choosing natural sugar options, such as fruits, and avoiding high-sugar, processed foods is highly recommended.

Excessive sugar consumption has also been associated with other eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. High sugar intake can also lead to elevated blood glucose levels, which, in turn, can contribute to the development and progression of these eye diseases. For patients undergoing retinal re-attachment surgery, controlling sugar intake is particularly important, because it can influence the overall success of the procedure and recovery.

According to Pristycare.com following a healthy diet that includes leafy green vegetables, fish, citrus fruits, carrot, berries, nuts and seeds can help improve eye health after retinal detachment treatment.

Outcome

After learning that my diet may have been affecting the healing process, I have made a conscious effort to slow down on the chocolate candy bars and find other ways to handle my stress cravings through this journey of healing. Diet plays a huge role in after-surgery recovery but it's extremely important to follow your doctor's recommendations for post-surgical care. Getting regular checkups, keeping up with prescribed medication, and avoiding activities that puts strain on your eyes are essential for successful retinal re-attachment recovery.

(Updated January 2024)

After eye surgery I was told that I would have to lie face down for a number of weeks until the gas bubble in my eye shrank away. I recall, as I was preparing to leave the hospital, one of the medical staff helped into a chair where I was sat in an upright position; my doctor looked in on me and immediately told the staff member to have me sit with my head tilted forward. 

The doctor explained to me that I needed to keep my head positioned downward when sitting in a chair and not to lie back because the gas bubble in my eye could cause the pressure in my eye to go up. Though I knew it was important to follow his instructions, I didn't know the severity of eye pressure rising due to the gas bubble. I found out that if a patient doesn't position properly (lie face down or on their side) the gas bubble would rise to the top of the eye elevating inner eye pressure which could destroy the nerves in the eye, resulting in irreversible vision loss.

The gas bubble needs to press against the tear in the eye to properly heal. When face down positioning (FDP) the bubble rises towards the back of the eye pressing against the retina. Some patients only need to lay in a face down position for a week while other patients have to do it for longer based on what's necessary for the individual patient. I was instructed to position for 12 hours a day for about two weeks. Also, I didn't have to stay face down the entire time of healing. I could also sit up slightly with my head tilted for a few minutes which was very uncomfortable and I could sit on a couch or arm chair with a pillow to lie on my right side (per doctors instructions).

FDP has been very uncomfortable but I found a lot of  information online that helped a bit - Suggestions for Maintaing Face Down Positioning: VisionAware and Face Down Recovry oafter Retinal surgery: American Academy of Ophthalmology