Your Surgery

Eye Surgery with Retina Associates of South Texas 

All physicians with Retina Associates are fellowship trained vitreo-retinal surgeons ready to provide state-of-the-art care for retinal disease. Surgeries are performed at two facilities.

Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital located on 8026 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio. The telephone number to the hospital is (210) 575-8190.

CHRISTUS Surgery Center - Stone Oak is located on 502 Madison Oak Dr Suite 500, San Antonio, TX 78258. The telephone number to the facility is (210) 499-6700.

Our surgical coordinator Mario Cornejo will assist you and your physician in scheduling and all pre-surgical testing. A pre–surgery medical evaluation will be necessary to be sure that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. Eye surgeries are performed under local or general anesthesia.

 

Your pre-operative checklist:

  1. Please refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before surgery or the morning of your surgery.

  2. You may shower the night before or on the morning of your surgery. However, please do not apply any makeup, lotions or creams to the face. Men are encouraged to shave the night before.

  3. If you are diabetic, please do not take your insulin or any oral hypoglycemic medications the morning of your surgery.

  4. Please continue all other medications with a sip of water unless instructed otherwise.

  5. Please bring all your medications with you to the hospital.

  6. Please report to the Outpatient Admitting Office at Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital at your appointed time.

  7. You will need to bring somebody on the day of your surgery who will be able to take you home when you are discharged. For your safety, ride-sharing apps, hotel shuttles, and taxis are not acceptable.

  8. Please contact Mario Cornejo at (210) 615-7600 should you have any questions about your surgery or should you need to reschedule.

mac hole.JPG

Post operative instructions  

After surgery, an eye patch and a protective shield will placed over the operated eye. Please leave the patch and shield on overnight following surgery. You may remove the patch and shield the next morning. When you remove the patch, it is not uncommon to have blurred vision or temporary double vision.

Please start your eye drops as scheduled once the patch is removed. These will be given to you at your post operative appointment the day following the surgery. Continue to use any prescribed eye medications in the non-operated eye. Resume taking regular medications unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. You may use Tylenol for pain control unless otherwise instructed by you doctor.

A postoperative appointment is normally scheduled one day following surgery. At that time, your surgeon will plan a specific follow-up schedule with you, customized to the needs of your eye condition.


Head Positioning

gas_bubble.jpg

In certain situations, an air, gas or silicone oil bubble is placed in the eye at the time of surgery.  An air or gas bubble will temporarily blur your vision for 1-6 weeks. The bubble will gradually disappear and you will eventually notice a curved line or shadow at the bottom of your vision until the bubble is completely resolved. While the bubble is present, you are restricted from flying in an airplane or any high altitude travel.

If silicone oil is placed in the eye at the time of surgery it will also blur your vision, however sometimes the focus can be improved with refraction. Unlike an air or gas bubble, an oil  bubble will not disappear on its own - it must be removed in a separate surgery. There are no restrictions on air travel with an oil bubble.  

Special head positioning may be required to place  the air/gas/oil bubble against the area of detached or treated retina. These positioning instructions will be reviewed with your physician if applicable.

Restrictions

Do not rub your eye.  Avoid heavy lifting, bending, or straining for 2-3 weeks.  You may bathe or shower- please avoid getting soap or water in the operated eye.  Avoid nose blowing or coughing.  Do not drive or return to work unless otherwise instructed.  Eye protection with your regular prescription glasses or sunglasses is recommended

Some redness, discomfort and light sensitivity are normal following surgery  If you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to call your physician.

If you develop severe pain, redness, swelling, discharge, light sensitivity, or a significant change in vision, PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!