Positioning After Retinal Detachment Surgery

Set date:2014.04.18. Health education Number:OPH-112. Review date: 2018.05.23. Positioning After Retinal Detachment Surgery What is Retinal Detachment ： Retinal detachment is a serious eye disease. Prompt treatment of a retinal detachment is vital to the prevention of permanent vision loss.Your dotcor will choose the appropriate treatment for you depending on your condition. Sometimes a gas bubble will be injected into the cavity of the eye. The pressure will force the retina back into position. Usually the gas will stay in your eye for 10 to 14 days. You will need to lie in a special position to keep the gas bubble in place and help the retina re-attach.. Postoperative Positioning 1.Purpose： With the correct position, the gas bubble can keep in place and help the retina reattach to the back of the eye so that it can heal. 2.equipment： One face-down pillow, Several soft pillows, and side table and chairs.. To deliver intelligent and holistic medicine and to provide the best healthcare Compassion Quality Innovation Accountability All information above has been reviewed by Ophthalmology specialists Edited and published by the Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital 1.

3.Positoins Usually you will be asked to sit, keep your head face down, or lie on your side. Follow the doctor's instructions and keep the correct position. (1) Face down position：Keep your face down either lying on the bed or sitting on a chair.Put your forehead on the face-down pillow, and hands on the side. (picture 1.2). picture 1 lying face down position position. picture 2 sitting face down. (2) Lying on your side：Lie on either your right or left side on the bed, and support with soft pillows. (picture 3). picture 3 Lying on your side. 2.

(3) Sitting with your head tilted 45 degree：Sit on a chair or the bed and tilt your head 45 degree. You may use a travel pillow to support your head and maintain the correct position. (picture 4). picture 4 Sitting with your head tilted 45 degree (4) Sitting Position：You may either sit on the bed or a chiar and keep your neck straight. Put some pillow behind your back for more comfort.. Precautions： 1.Maintain the instructed position at all times except eating, showering, going to the restroom and other daily activities. You must keep this position for at least 20 hours per day. Different gases require different time, mostly from 2 to 4 weeks. 2.Wrong position will cause intraocular pressure to elevate and even cataract. Please maintain the instructed position all the time. 3.You can put some soft pillows under your chest to relief the discomfort while lying face down on the bed. To increase your appetite, change to sitting face down position 30 minutes before your meal. 4.Wear the metal shield to protect the healing eye. Avoid pressuring the 3.

covered eye while lying。 5.While keeping the instructed position, be sure to move your body once a while to keep your muscle strength. Massage your shoulder, neck, waist, and armsto avoid muscle fatigue. 6.If you feel uncomfortable during positioning, you may walk 5 to 10 minutes every two hours. Patients who maintain sitting positions may walk more with the instructed position to enhance gas fusion. Psychological support and appropriate activities should be provided. 7.Face down pillow doesn’t need to be washed. Hand wash and air dry if desired. 8.Patient with an intraocular gas bubble should avoid air or high-altitude travel because it will result in expansion of the gas bubble if the altitude is more than 4000 meter.. 4.