I had cataract surgery 4 days ago. At my post op visit later that day I had 20/20 vision which I’ve never had. The scheduled me the Same day because their office was closed on the Friday which was the following day. Since that day my distance vision is very blurry. I was just in a Walmart store and wanted to scream for how blurry my distance vision was. It Also feels as though there is a particle or a grain of sand in my eye. My one week follow up is in four days. I plan on discussing these issues with my ophthalmologist. But I also have a phone call into them to get some of these questions answered. Was wondering if any of you have ever experienced the same issues recently after cataract surgery. I know that I am not seeing 2020 out of this eye. Prior to cataract surgery I did not wear glasses to drive but now I do not feel comfortable driving. I’m considering canceling the cataract surgery for my left eye which is scheduled in two weeks. I’d appreciate any input any of you might have
The vision often varies quite a bit for the first month or so after surgery, it did for me. Some days it got very blurry and other days got sharp and focussed. But didn't really stay more stable until after 4-6 weeks, so hang in there.
I would wait for the surgery for the second eye until the first eye is fully stable though.
Dry eye symptoms like the feeling of sand in the eye is common after surgery too - get some lubricating eye drops to help with that.
Hi Diane,
I had my first eye done 3 weeks ago and 2nd eye last Tuesday, before I had them done, I wore glasses for the last 30 years, now I’m not wearing them, and my short vision is really good, but my longer vision isn’t that good, and as I drive for a living that worries me, I’ve been advised I will probably need glasses for driving, which I hoped I wouldn’t, unless in the next 5 weeks my eyes settle down well and the long vision clears, It’s a worry straight after our ops, as I guess we all want it 100% perfect and it either won’t be or it will be given time, for me at the moment after the 2nd op, I’ve had a terrible aching around my eye, side of my face, jaw etc, I went to my local eye casualty earlier and was told I have very bad inflammation, feels like I’ve been kicked by a horse, hope your blurring settles down and all’s good for you, Neil
Good advice that Night-Hawk!!!
Hi Diane - that feeling of sand or grit in the eye is usually a sign of dry eye. Could also be the tiny incision they make if you had traditional surgery (vs laser assisted although perhaps with that surgery too you get that feeling I don’t know).
You use over the counter drops like Tefresh or Systane. If one brand doesn’t work well try another. I found Systane worked for me better than Refresh but everyone is different.
You should have also been given a steroid and antibiotic drops which you'll take for about 4 weeks. Sometimes use of those drops cause blurry vision for some and their eyes clear after.
Some people see clearly within a day while others take a few weeks. It really varies from one person to the next and even between 2 eyes same person. Be patient - it usually all works out.
Do you know which type of lens you received?
Thank you so so much for taking the time to answer. I am freaking out. I forgot to mention my intermediate vision is great. It’s my distance that is blurry. I hope with time I see improvement. Also I had Lasik surgery over 20 years ago so I’m wondering if because of that they couldn’t perfect my distance vision.
I was told I received a standard lens as we were aiming to receive the best possible distance vision. I had Lasik over 20 years ago and I provided them with my pre lasik numbers. I thought that would give me the perfect end result so I’m not sure if the power of lens they put in is causing the refractive error. My intermediate distance right now is the most clear. I sure hope the distance gets better because I was hoping to not have to wear glasses after going without since my Lasik
I had Lasik over 20 years ago and haven’t worn glasses since. This is why I’m discouraged. I’ve gone so long without glasses and I prefer not to wear them. My cataracts got worse but I was able to drive during the day. Now I don’t even feel comfortable driving at all.
The standard lens provides good vision at one focal point . If targeted for distance then you likely would need glasses for intermediate and reading - although some people do get intermediate as well.
Your IOL is settling and it will be several weeks before you can get an exact prescription. If this eye ends up being a little more nearsighted you can ask the doctor to target the 2nd eye for distance as that would provide more useable vision and you wouldn’t need glasses for anything except fine print. It’s called mini monovision- most people tolerate a small difference of .50 diopter between the eyes and actually prefer it to both eyes being targeted for distance.
But it really is to early to tell where your eye will end up for at least 3 weeks. To make adjustments to second eye it is always better to wait a few weeks between surgeries. In Canada where I live most surgeries are 4 weeks apart.
You make a lot of sense Sue An. I asked them to target for best distance and ended up with great intermediate vision. Is it still possible for the distance to improve even with intermediate being so good? Also do you have any suggestions for what to do in the interim for my distance vision since I’m not comfortable driving with my current vision? I go see my Dr on Friday for my one week follow up.
Yes still possible that your vision will change. Your natural lens is 4mm thick and the IOL is just 1mm. It will move back and forth and adhere and settle into pace within next few weeks. That’s why surgeons cannot guarantee target. Vision can be off target .50 either wY. Iny opinion better to end up slightly nearsighted than far sighted.
During interim Injust pokes a lens out of my glasses.
I believe you mentioned you didn’t need glasses prior to surgery. Did you not need glasses for any reason? I know you mentioned having prior lasik done so I am assuming your unoperated eye still sees distance well? If that is the case you should be fine in the interim between surgeries. Also this should be simulating what monovision is like with one eye at intermediate and other eye seeing well all distances. Unless the cataract in your other eye prevents you seeing well.
I had cataract surgery in my right eye June last year. For 5 days my sight was amazing. Then -- gritty feeling in eye, double vision, weeping and pain. Vision deteriorated to such an extent that I am now slightly short-sighted in that eye, with vision worse than before surgery and difficulty in seeing into shade or bright light. Consultant originally attributed problem to water in lens which would clear up with eye drops and or large floaters. Never has. Now suggested laser to burn off floaters, which might clear vision, or piggybacking another lens. Other eye needs surgery. Will hold off as long as possible before agreeing to further interventions. So v disappointing.
EXActly right SueAn. My eye, that has not been operated on yet, is my non dominant eye andweaker distance wise BUT at this point even with the cataract it sees better distance than my operated eye and therefore I don’t feel comfortable driving. No glasses at all except readers.
YEs it is! Especially when so many people talk about the great success they have with this surgery. What is your refractive error on the operated eye?
Hi Diane. I am also a previous lasik cataract patient. I had multifocal lens installed and was told before operation that a lasik enhancement might be in my future. Now at 2 1/2 months post op I know lasik enhancement is in my future. Regardless, a lasik enhancement will not be performed for at least 90 days to allow for recovery. The gritty ness you feel is from dry eye. My second opinion dr filled me in on a wealth of information my surgeon did not. For those of us who have had lasik, we may need more lasik afterward but also because we have now had two eye procedures, dry eye is almost always a result of surgeries. I’m currently using refresh optive preservative free daily ( multiple times a day) and will be discussing having tear duct plugs installed at my 3 month follow up visit ( we will also be discussing a lens exchange because of lasik, the dr was not able to obtain the correct power in one eye, he over compensated the second eye from the results of first eye operation one week later). Also if things become hazy again, that will be a second cataract forming on the bag that holds the iol in place. A procedure called YAG will be needed to clear up vision. Also that can be done 90+ days out. So hang in there. It’s a process, especially for those of us with previous lasik
Thank you for responding!😊 today the grittiness feels better I did buy some Systane drops to use in addition to the multiple drops I am taking from surgery. I am 5 days postop. I want to suggest to the doctor to put a more powerful distance lens in my second eye to compensate for not having great distance vision in the first eye that had surgery. I find being in fluorescent lighting to be unbearable. Can you explain what you mean about lens exchange? Does that mean removing the first IOL and replacing it?
Do you feel they didn’t get the correct power due to Lasik?
Thanks again!
Glad you find the Systane dips helped. They sure helped me - used them daily for first 4 months now use them occasionally- at night if I get too much screen time - eyes feel dry. I use Systane Ultra but noticed there is a gel one - people say it is good for overnight to provide more lubricant to the eyes. Haven’t tried that one so don’t know.
Yes lens exchange means removing g the one you have and replacing it with another. Not to be done lightly without considerable thought. It usually requires an even more skilled surgeon and the risk is also greater. Personally if you are getting good intermediate vision (and your eyes are still settling being only 5 days post op) and you wind up stabilizing where you are I would ask the doctor to target the other eye for distance. It likely would be what you’d ideally want anyways if your first op gave you good distance vision. You’d target the other eye for intermediate to provide more all round useable vision.
But first let that first eye fully heal - push out the operation until you know what that prescription is before having 2nd eye done. I know not what you originally asked but do think you could be pleased with the end results.
Sounds like a lot of your symptoms are very normal after surgery. A lot of people take a few weeks to heal - it’s a journey/process for most people. The fantastic day after surgery results may not be the norm. I think you are doing well and on the toad to recovery. Bei g more near sighted than you wished for can be corrected by target of 2nd surgery. Given you had lasik surgery it is sometimes harder to judge the correct power needed and hopefully tour surgeon can make right adjustments to 2nd eye.
Hang in there!
Thank you so much SueAn. I find comfort speaking to you on this site. I hope and pray he will target for distance vision with the second eye. I hope he can do that without too much difficulty. I will also talk to him about pushing it back some although at times I am feeling unbalanced as though my eyes are not working with one another. Going into a store with the different lighting makes me dizzy. Whereas being outside is not nearly as bad (just a little off)
Yes another surgery to replace iol. I’m not sure which one he will choose to replace as my second eye is clearer but the dominant eye. I am a +1.5 off if I remember correctly. Lasik may be an option without exchanging iol but I’m not sure about that yet. As I would like to schedule an appointment with the same company that did my first lasik in 2001. I’ll do that in April.
From what both drs have told me, ther are four measurements needed for cataract surgery. And with previous lasik patients, even with their records, that last measurement isn’t accurate. So it’s a guessing game. Some come really close , and lasik enhancement can fix, others are way off and need exchange. My surgeon is willing to do the a change for his cost. Nice way of admitting a mistake in my book. So we shall see if it is needed after all. I’ve decided to wait the full 90 days ( or more) before I make that decision not the dr since I had so much pain and inflammation the first go round. And because the dr said he’s only done “a few” exchanges. Not really confident in that response. Anyway, I’m glad the additional eye drops for lubrication are helping. I wish I would have started that right away.
Sue.an it’s good to hear that you were able to back off the multiple use daily of eye drops. I just assumed I would be using them daily ( several times a day) for life.
Short term pain for long term gain. If you can manage at all for at least 3 weeks if not 4 for that operated eye and get a more accurate prescription for it the surgeon can adjust for 2nd eye target.
Just a suggestion if the eyes are too unbalanced to manage perhaps your optometrist can fit your unoperated eye with a contact lens to balance it out a bit more. They often have ‘trial’ lenses where you don’t pay for them.