Just starting to get over my eye surgery Torn and Detached Retina and the doctor tells me that I can go back to shooting now. I was just wondering if there are any shooters that have gone through this and if they regulated the recoil they subjected their eyes to.
Hi Recoil after eye surgery
- Thread starter KevinR
- Start date
- Status
Kentucky_Rifleman
Member
Man. I've never dealt with that before. Did you detach your retina shooting? If so, just what were you shooting? I know that with detached retinas, the doctors often tell patients to avoid anything that bangs your head around too much, but again - what are you shooting? 
KR
KR
RSVP2RIP
Member
My father had a detached retina, the day before we left to go fishing in Canada. He had to lay on his side for weeks after they installed the band. If you still the band around the eye, then I wouldn't shoot anything. If it's removed, you should be OK I guess, might want to ask another eye doctor, but as I understand, once it lays back in there, you should be clear to go. As I understand it, a detached retina is something that just happens and can happen to anyone (older usually), at anytime. My dad was walking when it happened to him, he just lost the peripheral vision on one side. Doc said if he waited till we got back from fishing he would be blind in that eye.
Well, no the injury was not caused by anything at all, I just had a defective spot on my retina called a Lattice and it tore and 24 hrs later it detached. I shoot everything but I am starting to think I should think about limiting recoil.
Might need to get rid of the deer slug gun and the 30-06
Might need to get rid of the deer slug gun and the 30-06
schlockinz
Member
Find out if the doc or anyone in the practice is a hunter/shooter or grew up around the stuff. Then they'll have a good idea of the recoil energy that you'll be exposed to.
FWIW, I wouldd't get rid of the 06 just yet. You can get reduced recoil loads for it if you need to, and you will eliminate the need to get used to a newer gun.
FWIW, I wouldd't get rid of the 06 just yet. You can get reduced recoil loads for it if you need to, and you will eliminate the need to get used to a newer gun.
lattice degeneration is a weakening / thinning of the retina.
Are you a high myope? Do you wear high negative diopter glasses or contacts?
When they did the repair, did they laser or cryosurgically tack the retina down as well as band it (I'm not an opthalmologist, so I don't know the answer to that).
My NON PROFESSIONAL opinion would be to find out if they tracked the retina down (cryo or laser) in such a way as to reduce the chances of a re-detachment.
When I was a college student I got hit by a tennis ball and they had to do cryo on me, so that retina is a bit studier now. But detachments can happen to anyone. The risk is known to be higher in boxers, for example. I'd consider working with somewhat lower recoil if that is possible, just as a general precaution.
If you have a detachment, you want to get it treated within HOURS, particularly if the macula (the part that gives you the fine central vision) is detached. Keep that in mind as far as how far away you are willing to get from possible help. I've seen plenty of people who waited days......the central vision part has no blood supply of its own; it has to be next to the eyeball in order to get oxygen by diffusion.....
hope that helps, play it safe
Are you a high myope? Do you wear high negative diopter glasses or contacts?
When they did the repair, did they laser or cryosurgically tack the retina down as well as band it (I'm not an opthalmologist, so I don't know the answer to that).
My NON PROFESSIONAL opinion would be to find out if they tracked the retina down (cryo or laser) in such a way as to reduce the chances of a re-detachment.
When I was a college student I got hit by a tennis ball and they had to do cryo on me, so that retina is a bit studier now. But detachments can happen to anyone. The risk is known to be higher in boxers, for example. I'd consider working with somewhat lower recoil if that is possible, just as a general precaution.
If you have a detachment, you want to get it treated within HOURS, particularly if the macula (the part that gives you the fine central vision) is detached. Keep that in mind as far as how far away you are willing to get from possible help. I've seen plenty of people who waited days......the central vision part has no blood supply of its own; it has to be next to the eyeball in order to get oxygen by diffusion.....
hope that helps, play it safe
Sav .250
Member
Not had that problem but maybe going to the range with your 22 cal (if you have one) just to stay in shape. As you feel more confident, go bigger. 
My right eye was the one that had the detachment and the doctor did the cryo with the gas bubble on it. He said the left one was going to let go sooner or later and he put 236 laser spot welds in the back of that one. He is a duck hunter and says I am good to go as far as shooting, but it worries me every day.
Kentucky_Rifleman
Member
If the doctor is familiar with long-gun recoil and says you're clear then I'd CAUTIOUSLY take him at his word. If you're still worried about it, read up on the condition / procedures and get a second opinion. It's never a bad idea anyway
I hope you're back in the field / at the range soon.
KR
I hope you're back in the field / at the range soon.
KR
Frank James recently suffered a detached retina (or two?) and has written about this issue in his blog. Worth a look.
http://frankwjames.blogspot.com/2010/02/dealing-with-recoil-and-retinas.html
http://frankwjames.blogspot.com/2010/02/dealing-with-recoil-and-retinas.html
robmkivseries70
Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2005
- Messages
- 241
Hi All,
Been there my self, I was told after some time I could go back to shooting with no problem. I also found taking vitamin C helped reduce the number of floaters I was seeing. (Risk reduction) I'd get 500 mg. chewable tablets and take two a day. Vitamin C helps the tissues stick together.
Best,
Rob
Been there my self, I was told after some time I could go back to shooting with no problem. I also found taking vitamin C helped reduce the number of floaters I was seeing.
(Risk reduction) I'd get 500 mg. chewable tablets and take two a day. Vitamin C helps the tissues stick together. Best,
Rob
- Status
