FAQ

What is vitrectomy?

Vitrectomy is a medical procedure in which gas or oil is inserted inside your eye as a replacement to a condensed and fibrous vitreous gel. A vitrectomy may be performed to clear blood and debris from the eye, to remove scar tissue, or to alleviate traction on the retina. This is an easy, painless procedure with a successful track record of improving or virtually restoring vision.

Why face down?

Upon insertion, the gas bubble rises and applies pressure to the area that needs healing. However, since the retina is at the back of the eye, the gas bubble will only apply pressure to the top of the eye when looking up right, and not the retina. To correct this is by simply having your head facing down. It is also very challenging to keep your face down while sleeping when there is a possibility of rollovers.

What is the retina?
The retina is a nerve layer at the back of your eye that senses light and sends images to your brain. An eye is like a camera. The lens in the front of the eye focuses light onto the retina. You can think of the retina as the film that lines the back of a camera.

What is a retinal detachment?
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina is pulled away from its normal position. The retina does not work when it is detached. Vision is blurred, like a camera picture would be blurry if the film were loose inside the camera. A retinal detachment is a very serious problem that almost always causes blindness unless it is treated.

What causes retinal detachment?
As we get older, the vitreous may pull away from its attachment to the retina at the back of the eye. Usually the vitreous separates from the retina without causing problems. But sometimes the vitreous pulls hard enough to tear the retina in one or more places. Fluid may pass through the retinal tear, lifting the retina off the back of the eye, like wallpaper can peel off a wall. The following conditions increase the chance that you might get a retinal detachment;

• Near sightedness;
• Previous cataract surgery;
• Glaucoma;
• Severe injury;
• Previous retinal detachment in your other eye;
• Family history of retinal detachment;
• Weak areas in your retina that can be seen by your ophthalmologist.

What are the warning symptoms of a retinal detachment?
These early symptoms may indicate the presence of a retinal detachment:

• Flashing lights;
• New floaters;
• A gray curtain moving across your field of vision.

These symptoms do not always mean a retinal detachment is present; however, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Your ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) can diagnose retinal detachment during an eye examination where he or she dilates (enlarges) the pupils of your eyes. Some retinal detachments are found during routine eye examination. Only after careful examination can your ophthalmologist tell whether a retinal tear or early retinal detachment is present.

What are the risks of surgery?
Any surgery has risks; however, an untreated retinal detachment usually results in permanent sever vision loss or blindness. Some of the surgical risks include:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• High pressure in the eye;
• Cataract.

Most retinal detachment surgery is successful, although a second operation is sometimes needed. If the retina cannot be reattached, then the eye will continue to lose sight and ultimately become blind.

(Information thanks to: American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Copyright © American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2004.)

What is the macula?
A specialized area of the retina, called the macula, is responsible for clear, detailed vision. The macula normally lies flat against the back of the eye, like film lining the back of a camera.

What is a macular hole?
A macular hole is an abnormal opening that is formed at the center of the macula over a period of several weeks to months.

What causes a macular hole?
Most macular holes occur in the elderly. The vitreous gel within the eye pulls on the thin tissue of the macula until it tears. The torn area gradually enlarges to form a round hole. Less common causes of macular holes include injury and long term swelling of the macula. No specific medical problems are known to cause macular holes.

What are the warning symptoms of a macular hole?
In the early stages of hole formation, vision becomes blurred and distorted. If the hole progresses, a blind spot develops in the central vision, similar to the picture you would get if your camera film had a hole in it. Side vision remains normal, and there is no pain. It is uncommon for a macular hole to occur in both eyes.

What are the risks of surgery?
Some of the risks of vitrectomy from a macular hole include:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Retinal detachment;
• High pressure in the eye;
• Some loss of side vision;
• Accelerated cataract formation.

Will your vision improve?
A successful visual result often depends on how well the facedown position is maintained. The macular hole usually closes, and the eye slowly regains part of the lost sight. The visual outcome may depend on how long the hole was present before surgery. Vision does not return all the way to normal.

Seated Support

What is the seated support?
The seated support is a chair, ergonomically designed for you to sit while facing down for extensive periods of time. The seated support comes with a crescent pad, a 3-pad pillow, covers, and instructions.

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How do I set up the chair?
There is no set up required for this chair. The chair comes intact, without anything to be hammered, screwed, unscrewed, or glued. However the chair is adjusted at a standard size so adjustments must be made. All adjustments will be provided with the written instructions available in the box that was shipped to you.

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I can't understand how to adjust the chair, what do I do?
If you have a hard time with the instructions given to you, or if you just can't understand how the items work, give us a call at (877) 848-7328 and our professionally trained staff will be glad to help you with any difficulties when adjusting the chair.

Face Support

What is the face support?
The face support is an apparatus that fits in between the box springs and the mattress of the end of the bed. It is used as an extension to the bed and it is ergonomically designed for sleeping with reduced rolling over. It is also used on top of a table or desk for temporary sitting support. The face support comes with a crescent pad, a 3-pad pillow, covers, a chest pad, a handy carrying case, and instructions.

How do I set it up?
Like the seated support, there is no set up required for the face support. The face support comes intact, without anything to be hammered, screwed, unscrewed, or glued. However the face support is adjusted at a standard size so adjustments must be made. All adjustments will be provided with the instructions available in the box that was shipped to you.

Can I use this other than the bed?
Absolutely! The face support is also designed for you to face down on a table or desk with it. However, unlike the seated support, the face support does not provide a seat designed to lean forward, so sitting with the face support is limited.

I have a footboard at the end of my bed, what do I do?
If you have a footboard at the end of your bed that blocks the sliding of the face support or if you have a mattress that is too thick to place the face support, you may want to think about the following:

• Sleeping on a bed that has a standard mattress and no footboard;
• Sleeping across where there is no board covering the passage;
• Using the face support on top of the bed;
• Using a different solution for your sleeping methods;

If you have tried all of the above and yet cannot find anything that works for you, give us a call at (800) 676-7976 and we will be glad to assist you with different methods of sleeping while facing down.

Cushion Systems

What is the Cushion System?
The Cushion System is an alternative way to sleep while facing down. Unlike the face support, which is a rental item, the Cushion System can be purchased! It works great for sleeping while facing down if you don't have a box-springs or if you have a foot-board and you can't slide the face support in your bed.

Is there a difference in between Deluxe and Standard Cushions?
The Deluxe and the Standard Cushion are very similar, however there are a few differences: The Deluxe Cushion system has a breast recess upgrade for female patients. The Deluxe Cushion is a little thicker and it does not have a velcro strip to attach the head piece to it.

Accessories

What is the crescent pillow?
The crescent pillow is our innovative face cushion designed for facing down. It is included in both the seated support and the face support.

What is the 3-pad pillow?
The 3-pad pillow is an alternative face cushion used mainly for those who wear glasses for reading, writing, or watching TV. It is included in both the seated support and the face support.

What is the sternum pad?
The sternum pad is a separate item and an alternative chest pad used mainly for female patients who have large breasts. The sternum pad distributes the pressure so the breasts are not being crushed or squeezed, alleviating pain and discomfort. If you feel in need of the sternum pad, please request it when making your order.

What is the 2-way mirror?
The 2-way mirror is a separate items used with the seated support or the face support. The 2-way mirror is placed under the face pillow so is viewable from the patient's view. This mirror reflects whatever is directly in front of it, making it possible for the patient to see while facing down.