Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Detached retina and hunting

So I had torn retinas in both eyes in 2012, and 2014.
I started seeing flashes so I went to retina specialists two weeks ago. He did an exam, and he said my retina lifted, then re-seated, so let nature heal it.
A week later I saw some flash, felt eye strain, and vision decreased. So I went in right away. On the exam there was plenty of blood, and the doc said and wrote I had a detached retina. He said it was fortunate I came in so quick. So he did laser, no bubble. He told me again that I was lucky, and that procedure should heal it. I was instructed no physical stress until I have a follow up exam on next Tuesday. They may remove excessive blood Tuesday.
So with deer hunting season right after Thanksgiving here, I was wondering if I could hunt this season. Naturally I will ask the doctor, but I was wondering about other experiences. I was hoping to shoot light rifle loads hunting. I would have a buddy sight in the lighter loads, so I would only shoot at a nice buck. Doing nothing, and not even knowing about hunting is worrisome. Anyway I am curious about other experiences.

Your eyesight is way more important than deer hunting, without sight you won't ever be hunting it again, not worth the gamble. There's always next year.

This

The eye is a very sensitive organ. I had an injury to my eye a number of years ago. Post operative instructions no lifting, bending over or straining. Straining was explained as anything that would make you hold your breath. Such as using a wrench to loosen a bolt.

I am not saying that this is what you should do, but you should listen to your eye dr. Your eyes are something you want to protect. Let us know how things work out.

Skip this year. Do not take any chances with your eyes. Let it heal and next year the buck will be bigger!

4 weeks after major open heart ( I got an aortic valve transplant). I asked my cardiologist if It was ok to go on my backpack deer hunt, the next day, my 69th.... answer: "your prognosis is excellent, but why not take the Holidays to just cool it, and plan that great deer hunt for next year"!

my last detachment was four years ago. I fired my first centerfire gun last year.

Just got back from the eye doc an hour ago, and at least one eye is back to 20/20. But not taking any chances at all. Hunting is serious, but not as serious as going blind. Recoil is the exact wrong thing. Let it heal.

A compromised retina has the integrity of wet toilet paper.

Going thru this with my 17 year old daughter. She's had 3 detachments this year. I won't even let her pick anything up heavier than a gallon of milk. Supposed to get her silicone bubble out over Christmas break.

Don't screw around.

Oh well, at least she got to do the 16 story free fall drop in Dallas summer before.

lol

Finally, after 3+ years, the vision in my left eye is recovered to the 20-40 minus level. Was 20-50 6 weeks ago. I was cleared last year for shooting, but I'm not overdoing it after more than one operation to get that retina back in place. I still have to get shots every 5-6 weeks to keep the inflammation down that's trying to lift the retina.

Be careful with your eyesight Terry. They can do wonders with the methods they use today, but don't risk it if you don't have to.

Last I checked, there's a whole lot of deer in PA, there'll likely be some left next year.

Geno

I went through a repair of a quote "Gigantic Tear of the Retina"( not even detached retina, just torn), back in 2002. Two failed repairs later ( bubble both times/lasered repair, laying on side 1 week, on stomach for 2 weeks miserable) finally they filled my eye full of silicon to hold the retina against the wall. I flew to South Africa and did some business then hunted....it was my non shooting eye, blind when silicon is in there, but I could do whatever. My right eye was 20/20, even now. Even when they removed the silicon , the trauma of it all had given me a "cataract"! so had to do "another procedure"...Ouch!! . I ended up with a bunch of fields destroyed and I can just make out the Big E on the chart! I wear glasses just to help a little and it took along time to have any depth perception.

IF you can talk your eye DR into putting the silicon in it ( assuming its not your shooting eye) you can go. W/O it, I would not do anything at all until I was bonafide healed!!! I know its disappointing, but your eyesight,mmmmmmm

My daughter has had to sleep face down since July with her silicone bubble. I bought her a chiropractor's table with the face cutout.

Still doing 3 types of pressure reducing drops three times a day.

I'm actually writing this to you...."Please don't go as you are now"!!!!

[quote=slumlord]My daughter has had to sleep face down since July with her silicone bubble.

Poor darling, I will keep her in my prayers!

Dang, that would suck...............yugely.

Bad enough when I had 10 -14 days, twice, of sleeping upright in the recliner. No side or stomach.

I sure hope she gets a good portion of her vision back like I have.

Geno

I had a pretty extensive tear ( Not Detachment ) mothers day. Lasered the next day for repair. There was too much blood to see if there were any other tears. After 1 month the eye surgeon discovered another smaller tear. It was also lasere repaired,

My surgeon advised I not even shoot a 22 rim fire for at least 2 months. After 3 months my surgeon said I could shoot rim fires and pistols. His thought was that a handgun did not jar your head like a rifle or shotgun.

You might inquire about hunting with a handgun if that is allowed in your state?

Best of luck with your eye. I'd not chance shooting a rifle if you have been advised to not do so

What makes a retina tear??

Been dealing with a torn retina since last November, had the cataract removed about a month ago.
Vision is still bad in that eye, been on those high dollar drops almost a year. Had that silicone oil bubble for about 8 months then a gas bubble that finally went away after about a month.
No hunting this year for me, have not fired a center fire rifle in a year and may not for another year.
Follow the doctor instructions and hope all heals soon.
Ronnie

Thanks for the replies, I guess I am going to miss hunting this year, and no shooting. Well I do have recoil-free air rifles, so is a huge blessing.
This blurry vision is pretty scary, so reality has set in.

I totally agree. I've had 3 retinal detachments. It's a serious issue. Not something to screw around with. You might talk to him about scleral buckle, if you are prone to retinal detachments that may be the answer. That's what my doctor recommended. Have them put you to sleep, the second surgery I didn't and it was a LONG surgery. Would never do that again. I've had that done to both eyes. Has made a world of difference.