Books on tape:
Your local library should have a good supply of Books On Tape that can really help you pass the time. Sitting in the Vitrectomy Support Chair is a comfortable way to relax and catch up on a few books. Start checking out the tapes several weeks before your surgery so you will get a good selection.
Reading:
With the Three-Pad face cushion shown in picture below, you can wear your glasses and read with your other eye. This works well with the Vitrectomy Support Chair unit. Books, newspapers or magazines can be placed on the desk part of the chair and read, fully complying with the prescribed positioning.
Watching Television:
The Vitrectomy Support Chair in combination with the Facedown Mirror can you used to watch TV. You can also put a tablet/Ipad on the desk of the chair.
Eye Position:
Many patients get confused on what actually matters. It's really the position of the eye, rather then the position of the head. Your head can be positioned at a 45ยบ angle and your eyes looking down and you are in perfect compliance. It is more comfortable to have your head at an angle and your eyes pointed down as shown in the picture below.
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The size of the gas bubble is fairly large in comparison to the area being flattened (see Figure 3 below) so you will have a certain degree of freedom to do things like read and watch television. Too much eye movement is not good, so keep the reading materials directly below the facerest. |
Most Critical Period:
The first 4 days is the most critical time period in which strict compliance to the prescribed positioning should be maintained. You want to give your surgery the highest chance to be successful and acquire the maximum benefits out of it. After this critical period, a little relief is common, but this is something you must discuss with your doctor.
Whether you decide to rent our equipment or not, we hope that these tips will help you get through the recovery period.