ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: jchughes68 on February 23, 2010, 03:02:35 pm
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I am scheduled to have the tarsorrhaphy removed and a gold weight put in. I am almost 18 months post-op. I am very interested to know anyone's experience w/the tarsorrhaphy removal and procedure.
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JC -
I believe Lori (lori67) had a tarsorrhaphy. I'll PM her this post and hopefully she'll weigh in with her experience.
Jan
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Hi JC.
I had a lateral tarsorrhaphy that I have not had removed yet. I just have very little of the outer corner of my eye stitched, so if you aren't an eye doctor, you might not notice. I'm not sure if yours is a lateral or more than that.
So, since I haven't had mine un-done yet, I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, but now I know you'll be able to offer me some! Sorry I couldn't be or more help.
Let us know how it goes!
Lori
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Someone I know from the Forum had the removal.
Perhaps it was Debbie (aka oHIo). I'll have to see if she's around and can help with this topic.
Jan
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Jan and Lori,
Thank you both soo much for responding!! As you can see, I am new at this forum and it already has been so informative!! Chris
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I haven't had mine removed; I am still unable to use the left side of my face at all. I've technically had two as they did a 'small' one initially, then did some more status post corneal transplant. I hope you, or anyone in this position, is able to share the experience. I'd love to hear about.
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I am scheduled to have a gold weight implant and tarsorrhaphy removal (3 stitches) on May 13 in Minneapolis. I will write after that as soon as I can and let you know. Chris
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My doctor was conservative and only "snipped" a little open at a time until I had my eye fully opened (about 50% of my eye was still shut, but it was initially around 80%) the end of last March. I was very fortunate that I had my blink back. I did not have to have a gold weight.
My eye is still dry and (I think) it looks a little different than the other one, but most people tell me they do not know I have some facial paralysis.
My tarsorrhaphy removal was done in the office under a local. The doctor just took his special little scissors and snipped it open. It was sore for a few days but not terribly, and I kept it well lubricated. You will need to separate your eyelids several times an hour to keep them from growing back together on the edge. My doctor said the area tends to try to stick together and create a "web" (almost like webbed feet on a duck). I had that issue when only a few mm was snipped open, but not with the total opening. I was *so* happy to be able to see out of my eye without having to cock my head sideways. Between the positioning for my surgery and holding my head sideways to try and see out of the small opening in my eylids, my neck took a beating. It still bothers me.
Good luck on your removal and the gold weight. If you need any more information, let me know.
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Thanks for showing up, Debbie.
Good to see you,
Jan
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I didn't leave Jan...just got busy with life. ;) Getting ready to celebrate my 2 year AN removal on the 20th and quite honestly, didn't realize it until someone asked me the other day how long it had been. I guess it just goes to show that in spite of many complications, life goes on.
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You might also check with moe (Maureen) I think she has had one reversed.
Sara
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Thank you - everyone! Chris
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Hey all,
My son is wanting a have his tarsorrhaphy removed. We go tomorrow to Emory. Last year the doctor said it was up to him but he suggested overwise. It was done to protect the cornea.
He is 23 ears old and 2 years post op. He had a large tumor 3x3.5x3 removed at Emory in Atlanta. The team was great - Drs. Olson and Maddox. Dr. Crocker was the Radiation Oncologist.
What are your thoughts or history on having this done? There is no sensation in this eye.
Thanks,
Will
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I've had both, a Gold Weight Implant that failed miserably; extruded through the eyelid and had to be removed. I've been living comfortably with a Tarsorrhaphy for several months now and can't wait for the day that it too is reversed. Please post about the reversal experience, I'd be interested to know how that goes for you.
Take Care and best wishes that the Gold Weight Implant does the trick!
;)
Doc
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Will, you said your son is have the tarsorrhaphy removed, but how will he protect his eye? Loss of sensation in the eye is extremely dangerous, because he can't feel a speck of dust, an eyelash in it, or when it is dry. I have had patients in the past who lost vision in their eye due to corneal scarring because of a lack of sensation, this despite efforts to keep it lubed.
PS. Loss of sensation in the eye is not a common side effect after AN removal or RadRx, but it does happen rarely, due to damage to the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V).
Todd
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Todd -
Just a thought here, but wouldn't having your eye sewn shut also cause you to not be able to see out of that eye? ;) Sounds like having the eye opened would be a risk I'd be willing to take, rather than having it sewn shut for the rest of my life.
There are others here who have no sensation in their AN eye and do quite well (Kaybo, for one). I have slight sensation, and you just learn how to manage it and protect it. I'm sure a doctor who is recommending having the tarsorrhaphy removed would weigh the pros and cons and give the patient the information he needs to protect the eye afterwards.
Lori
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Lori, you've got a good point! I guess I was thinking of a lateral tarsorrhaphy, where you can still see out, but vision is restricted. If the eye is completely sewn shut, then it does make sense... and each person must make their own decision with the doctor's recommendations anyway. Sometimes I'm seeing things as too black and white.
Appreciate your feedback! :-[
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Lori,
My AN effected eye is sown shut halfway across; a lateral Tarsorrhaphy. You're right, its much better to have even partial sight than none at all. I've been there, having worn an eye patch for months after surgery. I have full sensation in my bum eye. I say that with confidence because I can feel everything going on in there...touch, tears, the soothing feeling of a load of PM Refresh being applied and so on.
This is my emotional stance on the subject. Having an eye sown shut, halfway or otherwise, impacts your appearance tremendously; no great secret. Remember when we were kids and would stare at the "different" person walking toward us in the mall. That's different person is you, me and everyone else living with a noticeable physical difference / disability, AN related or otherwise. I can easily understand how a young man like JC's son would opt to have the Tarsorrhaphy reversed. Todd's point is certainly valid though, especially if eyelid function issues related to nerve traumatization haven't self resolved and the eye will be left exposed.
I fear I'll be left with a bum eye for the rest of my life. Fear is probably not a good description. Disappointment better describes how I feel. The way I figure it, I'm a 52 year old man. It's not like I have to worry about impressing anyone by my appearance.
I say let the young guy have the reversal on strict advisement that he's doing so against medical advise if thats actually the case. Should he fail to properly care for the eye, he should know that irreversible damage could result. Sorry, long way to a short response...its lunch time, I had time to kill.
Take Care!
;)
Doc
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Hi Everyone, I am FINALLY getting back to the forum. I had my tarrsorhaphy removed and a gold weight inserted May 13 in Minneapolis by Dr. Andrew Harrison. I am SO glad I finally did it. In hindsight (20/20 - smile) I should have had it done a year ago but personally just couldn't face another "surgery" until now. However, it really wasn't a surgery to speak of - at least compared to the other one! The entire procedure took 20 minutes!!! I was not asleep. I could hear everyone talking. I just didn't care and it was pain free. The first few days my eye was VERY sore and black and blue and swollen. The tarrsorhaphy removal was definitely the most painful afterward. It has been two weeks now and it is still somewhat sore. I never even noticed the gold weight part of it except it is wonderful to be able to close my eye now. I have not taped it shut since the day of the surgery. I still have dryness but continue to use drops, gel and Refresh PM but my eye is closed during the night now. I can also blink but definitely not as well as my good eye. It is wonderful to have the vision again though. My AN eye is definitely smaller looking than my good eye, but that is fine w/me. As others have stressed - it is totally a personal decision and what is right for one person may not be right for another. Thanks again to all of you who wrote after my initial post!!
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Chris ~
I was delighted to see your post and learn that you've had the the tarrsorhaphy removed and a gold weight inserted, with great results! Thanks for the update.
Jim