Just had cataract surgery - original problem seems worse

Hi everyone

I knew I was developing cataracts and when my optometrist told me he
could not do anything more with glasses to correct my deteriorating
vision, I had the surgery. Just had it on my right eye; left eye is
scheduled for a few weeks from now.

I had the Clariflex monofical IOL done yesterday. Today I had the
bandage removed. I did not notice any improvement, in fact felt that
my vision is now worse. Doing an A-B comparison with my "new" eye and
the old one, the halos and starbursts from bright lights seem much
worse. Also, I know see flickering in my visual field in bright
light.

I am disappointed and quite upset. Does anyone have experience/advice
to share?

Thanks.

In article
<225fba84-3d84-46ac-9ff1-(E-Mail Removed)>,
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:


> I knew I was developing cataracts and when my optometrist told me he
> could not do anything more with glasses to correct my deteriorating
> vision, I had the surgery. Just had it on my right eye; left eye is
> scheduled for a few weeks from now.
>
> I had the Clariflex monofical IOL done yesterday. Today I had the
> bandage removed. I did not notice any improvement, in fact felt that
> my vision is now worse. Doing an A-B comparison with my "new" eye and
> the old one, the halos and starbursts from bright lights seem much
> worse. Also, I know see flickering in my visual field in bright
> light.
>
> I am disappointed and quite upset. Does anyone have experience/advice
> to share?

The next day is too soon to assess very much. Did you see your doctor
today, and did the doctor mention any problems? Did the doctor seem
happy with the surgery results? Did the doctor do anything to improve
your vision? I had halos and starbursts after the second cataract
surgery. I don't remember them from the first, but they were five years
apart. The halos and starbursts either went away or I stopped noticing
them (it's been several years).

If you aren't feeling comfortable with your vision on Monday, I would
suggest calling your doctor.

Although I've had cataract surgery in both eyes, I am not a vision
professional.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
(E-Mail Removed)

On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
<glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> back here for others to learn more.

Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
am encouraged by your advice. Will definitely post the results of
follow ups.

Dear Robru,

Subject: Variable results from cataract surgery.

I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
replacement lens
"settles out".

I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.

After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. This was far better than
the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
had a negative refractive STATE.

So -- give it some time. Your results might not be that good, but
there are some very good results from cataract surgery. From me,
there was not choice -- other than the surgery.

Best,




On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > back here for others to learn more.
>
> Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> follow ups.

On Nov 16, 12:09*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
> Dear Robru,
>
> Subject: *Variable results from cataract surgery.
>
> I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
> replacement lens
> "settles out".
>
> I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.
>
> After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. *This was far better than
> the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
> had a negative refractive STATE.
>
> So -- give it some time. *Your results might not be that good, but
> there are some very good results from cataract surgery. *From me,
> there was not choice -- other than the surgery.
>
> Best,
>
> On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> > <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > > back here for others to learn more.
>
> > Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> > am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> > follow ups.

I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
problem. Here is a list of all of them:

1. Glare is worse. Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
being jiggled.
3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.

The surgeon told me everything looks fine. The IOL is perfectly
centered and my eye is healing nicely.

He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
natural lens. He said this could take up to three months. That is
what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".

I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
about it up front? I can't help but think he made some kind of
mistake during the procedure.

I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion. I now wish I had
not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.

On Nov 17, 4:45*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Nov 16, 12:09*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Dear Robru,
>
> > Subject: *Variable results from cataract surgery.
>
> > I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
> > replacement lens
> > "settles out".
>
> > I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.
>
> > After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. *This was far better than
> > the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
> > had a negative refractive STATE.
>
> > So -- give it some time. *Your results might not be that good, but
> > there are some very good results from cataract surgery. *From me,
> > there was not choice -- other than the surgery.
>
> > Best,
>
> > On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> > > <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > > > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > > > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > > > back here for others to learn more.
>
> > > Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> > > am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> > > follow ups.
>
> I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
> problem. *Here is a list of all of them:
>
> 1. Glare is worse. *Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
> 2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
> being jiggled.
> 3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
> 4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.
>
> The surgeon told me everything looks fine. *The IOL is perfectly
> centered and my eye is healing nicely.
>
> He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
> to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
> natural lens. *He said this could take up to three months. *That is
> what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".
>
> I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
> about it up front? * I can't help but think he made some kind of
> mistake during the procedure.
>
> I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
> inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion. *I now wish I had
> not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Some of your symptoms are typical to retinal tears or detachment,
especially the "arch". I suggest that you see a retina specialist
ASAP. I am sorry to say that many cataract surgeons are butchers, and
they certainly are not equiped for a thorough examination of the
retina. Retinal detachment is a medical emergency -- that is if you
want to save your vision. Don't delay!

In article
<d5ee1e66-4858-4829-9923-(E-Mail Removed)>,
(E-Mail Removed) wrote:


> I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
> problem. Here is a list of all of them:
>
> 1. Glare is worse. Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
> 2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
> being jiggled.

When I hear "visual field", I immediately think of "visual field test",
which is a test of just the peripheral vision. Is this what you mean,
or is there fluttering everywhere in the vision of that eye?

> 3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
> 4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.
>
> The surgeon told me everything looks fine. The IOL is perfectly
> centered and my eye is healing nicely.

I don't know what to say here. I had some of #1 with my second cataract
surgery.

> He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
> to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
> natural lens.

I know that there is a lot of healing and growing happening in there.

> He said this could take up to three months. That is
> what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".

That's long time. I know I had to wait 4-6 weeks to be tested for
corrective lenses, in order for healing to take place, but my vision was
pretty decent.

> I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
> about it up front? I can't help but think he made some kind of
> mistake during the procedure.

I would want to believe him also.

> I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
> inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion.

Sounds good to me. I have always thought it was strange to have both
eyes done at once, although many people do this. If your vision is so
poor that you can't see anyway, maybe it makes sense. But if you aren't
comfortable with the vision in your operated eye, it would make sense,
to me at least, to wait until you have acceptable vision in your
operated eye before having the other one done. A second opinion sounds
good, also.

> I now wish I had
> not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.

One of the reasons this surgery isn't often done until the vision has
noticeably deteriorated, is just so that there will be a noticeable
improvement after the surgery. My vision was much better, even a day
later, other than the starbursts and halos. Since I have always
disliked driving at night, this was not much of a problem.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
(E-Mail Removed)

Dear Rob,

How bad was your vision -- before your surgery.

Even "corrected", I was close to not being able to pass the State DMV
test. I could see this
myself. There was no question as to the necessity of it.

Because of the induced "paralysis" drug for testing, I saw some of the
effects you
described.

Under certain circumstances (sun, and glint) I could see the lens
"move" and its effect.

Typically the will wait about six weeks betwen the first and second
surgery.

You should request this delay.

It is always a difficult "call" to say when surgery is necessary.

That is a matter of you received information about the risks of the
operation.

I was provided with them:

1. Risks of a failure.

2. Risks of a detached retina.

3. Blindness.

4. Etc.

But after reviewing this with friends, and the 'track record" of this
particular ophthalmogist - I knew he was the best.

Hope this helps.

Otis







On Nov 17, 6:45*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Nov 16, 12:09*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Dear Robru,
>
> > Subject: *Variable results from cataract surgery.
>
> > I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
> > replacement lens
> > "settles out".
>
> > I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.
>
> > After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. *This was far better than
> > the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
> > had a negative refractive STATE.
>
> > So -- give it some time. *Your results might not be that good, but
> > there are some very good results from cataract surgery. *From me,
> > there was not choice -- other than the surgery.
>
> > Best,
>
> > On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> > > <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > > > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > > > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > > > back here for others to learn more.
>
> > > Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> > > am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> > > follow ups.
>
> I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
> problem. *Here is a list of all of them:
>
> 1. Glare is worse. *Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
> 2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
> being jiggled.
> 3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
> 4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.
>
> The surgeon told me everything looks fine. *The IOL is perfectly
> centered and my eye is healing nicely.
>
> He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
> to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
> natural lens. *He said this could take up to three months. *That is
> what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".
>
> I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
> about it up front? * I can't help but think he made some kind of
> mistake during the procedure.
>
> I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
> inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion. *I now wish I had
> not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

On Nov 17, 5:42*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
> Dear Rob,
>
> How bad was your vision -- before your surgery.
>
> Even "corrected", I was close to not being able to pass the State DMV
> test. *I could see this
> myself. *There was no question as to the necessity of it.
>
> Because of the induced "paralysis" drug for testing, I saw some of the
> effects you
> described.
>
> Under certain circumstances (sun, and glint) I could see the lens
> "move" and its effect.
>
> Typically the will wait about six weeks betwen the first and second
> surgery.
>
> You should request this delay.
>
> It is always a difficult "call" to say when surgery is necessary.
>
> That is a matter of you received information about the risks of the
> operation.
>
> I was provided with them:
>
> 1. *Risks of a failure.
>
> 2. *Risks of a detached retina.
>
> 3. Blindness.
>
> 4. *Etc.
>
> But after reviewing this with friends, and the 'track record" of this
> particular ophthalmogist - I knew he was the best.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Otis
>
> On Nov 17, 6:45*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > On Nov 16, 12:09*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
>
> > > Dear Robru,
>
> > > Subject: *Variable results from cataract surgery.
>
> > > I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
> > > replacement lens
> > > "settles out".
>
> > > I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.
>
> > > After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. *This was far better than
> > > the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
> > > had a negative refractive STATE.
>
> > > So -- give it some time. *Your results might not be that good, but
> > > there are some very good results from cataract surgery. *From me,
> > > there was not choice -- other than the surgery.
>
> > > Best,
>
> > > On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > > On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> > > > <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > > > > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > > > > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > > > > back here for others to learn more.
>
> > > > Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> > > > am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> > > > follow ups.
>
> > I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
> > problem. *Here is a list of all of them:
>
> > 1. Glare is worse. *Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
> > 2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
> > being jiggled.
> > 3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
> > 4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.
>
> > The surgeon told me everything looks fine. *The IOL is perfectly
> > centered and my eye is healing nicely.
>
> > He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
> > to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
> > natural lens. *He said this could take up to three months. *That is
> > what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".
>
> > I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
> > about it up front? * I can't help but think he made some kind of
> > mistake during the procedure.
>
> > I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
> > inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion. *I now wish I had
> > not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.- Hidequoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -

Thanks for your responses, everyone.

In answer to Otis's question, my vision was not that bad. I was
having trouble reading and driving at night so I went to my
optometrist. He told me that he could not correct my vision any
longer with glasses and I needed cataract surgery. I went to the
surgeon he recommended. I really should have gotten another opinion,
but I had known people who had this surgery and they were so
enthusiastic about it and I had read that it is so safe, that I did
not think of doing that.

I'm going to get one now -- and will postpone the other operation.

Thanks again, everyone, for your input.

Rob

On Nov 17, 5:45*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Nov 16, 12:09*pm, otisbr...@embarqmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > Dear Robru,
>
> > Subject: *Variable results from cataract surgery.
>
> > I regret your results -- but it usually takes a week before the
> > replacement lens
> > "settles out".
>
> > I had a check on day after surgery, and then took "drops" for a week.
>
> > After a week, I was about 20/30 to 20/25. *This was far better than
> > the naked eye vision I had of about 20/600 when my eyes
> > had a negative refractive STATE.
>
> > So -- give it some time. *Your results might not be that good, but
> > there are some very good results from cataract surgery. *From me,
> > there was not choice -- other than the surgery.
>
> > Best,
>
> > On Nov 16, 12:46*pm, roberu...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 15, 8:37*pm, Glenn Hagele - USAEyes.org
>
> > > <glenn.hageleSTOPS...@USAEyes.org> wrote:
> > > > As Dan said, it is way too early to come to any conclusion about your
> > > > outcome. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and please, report
> > > > back here for others to learn more.
>
> > > Many thanks, Glenn and Dan. *The flickering has abated somewhat, and I
> > > am encouraged by your advice. *Will definitely post the results of
> > > follow ups.
>
> I went to see my surgeon today, because I also developed a new
> problem. *Here is a list of all of them:
>
> 1. Glare is worse. *Lights now show beams or rays going through them.
> 2. I experience a periodic flutter in my visual field, like a camera
> being jiggled.
> 3. I can see a dark arc in the corner of my eye on the right side.
> 4. I am getting "ghost", slightly double images.
>
> The surgeon told me everything looks fine. *The IOL is perfectly
> centered and my eye is healing nicely.
>
> He explained all of the above by saying that the lens envelope needs
> to shrink around the new lens, which is much smaller than one's
> natural lens. *He said this could take up to three months. *That is
> what is causing every one of the above described "special effects".
>
> I want to believe him, but if all of this is true, why was I not told
> about it up front? * I can't help but think he made some kind of
> mistake during the procedure.
>
> I am currently scheduled to have the other eye done on the 5th and am
> inclined to postpone that and get a second opinion. *I now wish I had
> not had this surgery done at all, as my vision is markedly worse.

Roberu, try googling "dysphotopsia", which is the term for your
symptoms. (The article by Randall Olson in "Review of Ophthalmology"
is particularly good.) In most cases, these symptoms diminish with
time due to neuroadaptation; however, sometimes the IOL needs to be
explanted. I've read that the problem is caused by a poor fit between
the IOL and the recipient's physiology. (You would not want to get
the same brand of IOL implanted in your other eye.) It would probably
be very wise to wait until you're satisfied with the vision in your
first eye before having a second surgery. In your place, I'd
definitely cancel the second surgery for now, and I'd get for an
independent second opinion.