pudd
I suffered a detached retina in my right eye when at the age of 47. Prior to that I had always enjoyed excellent eyesight, and never previously wore glasses.
From the time I first noticed that something was amiss to the time I sought medical advice was about 3 weeks. I went to see our company doctor, and when he looked in the eye he knew what it was right away. He sent me to a specialist that very morning who verified his diagnosis. The specialist in turn sent me to a surgeon who operated on me the next morning. (They suggested a local anesthetic but I declined in favor of a general one).
Because of the 3 weeks I waited to seek medical help, all 3 doctors were not optimistic of successful surgery. But to my great relief, the operation turned out to be a success. (Moral of the story: if something isn't right, especially with your vision, don't wait.....get an opinion or help immediately!).
On the morning that I first saw our company doctor, he told me that I would be off-the-line for 6 months. In retrospect, he was spot-on. One week short of 6 months to be exact, to the time I got my license back.
During the 5-6 month healing process I was warned repeatedly that the healing eye tissue is extremely sensitive to any kind of pressure. I was advised not to lift anything, nor even to bend over to tie my shoes, since even the slightest strain could cause a re-detachment. I took this advice seriously.
When the surgeon had decided that the eye had healed sufficiently, he sent me back to the specialist who determined what corrective lenses were required. My right eye vision went from 20-20 prior to the injury to 20-200 uncorrected after the eye had healed. The glasses correct it to 20-20 once again, and my license medical certificate stipulates that 'glasses must be worn'.
As it was explained to me, the operation changes the focal length of the eye being operated on. Today, 6 years later and without glasses, my right eye vision is very clear to almost arm's length, then it rapidly becomes a blurr as distance increases. Again, the glasses correct this to normal.
As for the cause of my detachment, I am at a loss to explain it. There was no knock or bang to the head. I was asked if I ever played any physical sports when I was younger, and I did. It was suggested that a bang or knock to the head at a younger age could have caused a weakness that waited for the natural deterioration with age to present itself, and might have been the root cause of the detachment.
I might add that at the hospital in which I had the surgery, the entire 7th floor was occupied with people with the exact same thing that I was there for. The excellent surgeon that I was fortunate to have had called mine a "spontaneous detachment", meaning there was no direct cause (no bang or knock to the head area), and that it was something that is not uncommon in people in their mid-50's and later.
My best advice is to not be in a rush to get back to work. Take seriously what the doctors recommend. Avoid any strain such as lifting, bending over, even coughing and sneezing.
The eye tissue is very sensitive and delicate, and it takes time to re-attach and heal properly.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.