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:
With a little innovation and a small television set, you can turn the
television on it's back and watch it from the Vitrectomy Support Chair as shown
below. You will have to fold the armrest shelf down to comply with the
positioning requirement. You can also use a very small portable TV and put
it directly on the armrest or the desk portion.
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 45º 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.
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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.
