I am 51 years old and have just completed a cataract operation on my left eye.
However I noticed a few days after the operation that each time I move my eye there is a wave of cloud that goes back and forth with each eye move. I have since gone back to see the surgeon and he said everything looks good. Can anyone help please?
Hi - if it were me I would question the surgeon again as this doesn’t sound right.
My surgeon said to alert his office if I experienced certain symptoms - one being a dark shadow or curtain that covers part of field of vision as it is a possible sign that a small retinal tear has developed into a retinal detachment. perhaps that isn’t what you are experiencing but you will want he or she to take a closer look.
It could be floaters from PVD that were already there but you didn't really notice before because of the cataract. If you have to get the YAG laser for PCO they will be able to zap the floaters as well. Is that enough acronyms?
The other replies state the two most common possibilities which need to be checked out.
If the cloud moves significantly across vision in response to eye movements then it does sound more like degenerative vitreous which can be floaters of all sizes (strings/cobwebs/clumps) and also looking like grey/dark clouds. I wonder if it could also be remnants from the removed lens but I am not sure how mobile that can be.
If it turns out to be permanent floaters then I would advise care with any YAG lasering as that can make matters worse and I speak from experience.
If you're not far out from surgery then things could still be settling, but once fully healed it would be worth getting a second opinion if your surgeon doesn't have an answer. Floaters can be hard for surgeons to see especially the cloud type as they're using such bright lights.
Congratulations on the surgery. I'm also 51 and had mine 23 days ago. I have a very large floater in one of my eyes that behaves exactly like what you are describing. Most of my floaters are small, dark "specs" or string-like objects and I can move them out of my main field of view pretty easily.
The large one is quite different, it has just a very small section in the middle which appears slightly brownish, but there is a much larger section around this that is pretty much colorless but impossible to see through clearly. I'd estimate that it take up maybe 5 percent of my entire field of view which may not sound like much, but when centered it can be a huge issue, blocking maybe 25% or more of my computer screen. Eye doctor will only notice this if I point it out to them and they really look for it.
I'm hoping that you just have something like this and not PVD or something else which is serious. Can you please update this thread once you know? Thanks and good luck.
I should clarify I was referring to concerns about YAG lasering of floaters and not for PCO if that ever occurs.
The problem with YAG lasering floaters is while it can break up some floaters leaving smaller pieces, it can also cause more vitreous to break down from its thicker form to create yet more floaters.