I've not thought to ask if anyone has had retinal problems after cataract surgery. My surgeon sent me to retinal specialist after he noticed fluid seeping over to front of eye. Apparently, there's a possibility of a tear, etc.
A "strand of fluid" is hanging in front of my eye. This is their explanation for foggy vision and floaters. Other than being left with the worst vision of my life, the most annoying after affect of this stinkin disastrous surgery, is a condition I can best describe as a cloudy curtain that rises and falls with blinks.
To recap:
Vision: Pre cataract surgery
Corrected with glasses. Took glasses off for close up vision.
August 2016: Noticed a little blurriness. Diagnosed as small cataracts. Didn't need surgery, doc said. But, might as well not wait until it gets bad.
Vision: Post cataract
Black floaters
Blurriness
Cloudy curtains
Halos
Starbursts
Depth perception nightmare
Driving at night is a dangerous thing
Worn glasses since I was 4 and have never had worse vision. So many of these issues, as I've been told, are things that just happen. It's a coincidence that they appeared after surgery.
***North Suburban Eye Specialists
Blaine/Coon Rapids Minnesota
Had anyone had surgery performed by surgeons in the group?
I have floaters & after I read my left eye gets blurry, My vision was better before I had the Cataract surgery. My doctors were from Mt. Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. Doctor claimed vision gets cloudy because of dry eye, but I've used drops for dry eye & they did not help.
I am very sorry to learn that you have serious issues with your vision after the cataract surgery.
When did you actually have the cataract surgery and have you had a chance to see a retina specialist? It is very important to have the retina specialist look at the problem a soon as possible.
There are at least 2 possible causes of your vision issue: Cystoid Macular Edema and Retinal Detachment.
Quoting from an article by Vincent J. Patalano II, MD,
"The retina is the neural tissue which lines the entire inside of the back part the eye. The very center of the retina is called the macula, which is responsible for central vision. After cataract surgery, inflammation can sometimes cause retinal blood vessels to leak fluid which accumulates in the macula, causing decreased central vision. This swelling is referred to as "cystoid macular edema"."
"A retinal detachment occurs when liquid vitreous fluid gets through a fine tear in the retina, allowing it to separate abnormally FROM the back wall of the eye. A retinal detachment may cause a curtain across part or all of the vision of the eye. Retinal detachments can occur in patients who have not had any prior eye surgery, especially in patients who are highly nearsighted. However, cataract surgery increases the risk of retinal detachment. After cataract surgery, retinal detachments occur in approximately 1.5% of patients."
Gets scarier and scarier doesn't it?
So my appointment with the retina specialist went very well. Hers was one of the best eye exams I've had (and she sure is eye candy to the guys)
No macular degeneration - yippee yay - but can't help with other issues. Suggested I meet with a cornea specialist if I want to get the multifocals replaced. She said they would be honest and tell me whether it should be done or not. She also said that it's not going to be "as simple as doing laser cataract surgery"
Re the floaters and feeling as if am wearing a contact, that should go away in time. Don't they all say the same?
Glad to hear you don't have MD. Hopefully you can get an appointment with cornea specialist soon.
Janet - I'm just wondering, did you have a monofocal lens or a multifocal lens? I'm sorry to hear about the problems you're having.
July 5th. I am very happy with the date. Had to wait longer to get appointment with retina specialist but I guess that was because we went there ourselves. Had we called or gone through a referring doctor it would have taken longer
MD would definitely not be great. 🎉👀🎉🎉. So glad to hear you escaped that! I didn't realize you had the "contact lens" sensation., as well. I am so glad to hear it. Not that you have it!! Just that it's a bit of confirmation I'm not crazy!! Is that, along with floaters, typical of retinal issues and, if so, is it a typical side effect of cataract surgery?
This is one reason I feel quite stupid. I don't know what kind of lenses. Only that they must be the most basic as they are only ones covered by my insurance. Is monovision one eye for distance and other for near? Multifocal I haven't a clue.
It's getting so bad that I find myself having to turn my head to get a different angle, so I can continue any close up task! Arghh!😡😡
Thank you so much. A wealth of info and it sounds like a description of me! Yes...surgeon did send me to retinal specialist and he said no detachment or degeneration. Surgery was appx August 20, 2016 and September 6, 2016.
First eye opened a whole new world of color. Second eye took all that away and then the trouble started. While I don't think the retina doctor would diagnose purposely incorrectly, I really get the impression eye doctors always say the same thing. It isn't hard to imagine why. If the best laser machines are so expensive that some clinics have to share, it's in their best interest to back each other. Maybe I'm reaching cuz in so blooming mad 😡! Thanks again
I relate and sympathize. It's so frustrating!
It is too bad that the retina specialist also could not come up with a good explanation for your vision Issues.
It is bad enough to have a vision issue but to have no explanation for it is even worse. If possible, you should try to see another opthamologist, who also does cataract surgery, for him / her to check your eyes and give you a good explanation for your problems. Once he/she comes up with a good explanation, then hopefully he/she can also suggest at least some solution to the problems.
at201
I totally agree with you. I DID get a second opinion and that is when I began to wonder about eye doctors covering for each other. The only person that raised an eyebrow when asking me questions was the guy who takes you through the paces before seeing the eye doctor. He asked me how I had my vision adjusted if not with a laser. I don't really know what he meant.
The doctor gave me the same spiel as my surgeon.....can pass a driver's vision check. She told me there was a strand of fluid in front of my right eye. This was funny because I have the same curtain sensation in both eyes, etc.
I asked her repeatedly if she thought my near vision was uncharacteristically poor. She gave in eventually when I wouldn't give up and agreed with me that it wouldn't be something many people would choose. The lack of near vision coupled with the mediocre distance vision, wasn't typical. Had I not been unrelenting though, I would't have gotten that much!!
Hi Janet,
3 weeks after cataract surgery I've developed a Macular Oedema in the operated eye. So now my excellent vision has gone and my central sight is blurry and distorted, I've been told it'll clear up on its own but no guarantee my vision will return to normal. I'm now very worried as I'm due to have my other eye done on the 5th July, the surgeon said he is going to inject a steroid into the eye to prevent it happening in that eye- I don't know if I should cancel the whole thing.
James - I assume it is same surgeon that is operating on 2nd eye ? Might be worth having another doctor or specialist take a look at your operated eye first.
You should have been given a card after cataract surgery to carry in your wallet - your lenses are indicated in that. Haven't had my surgery yet but that is what I have been told by others who've had it.
James, please, please go have 3rd, 4th or even 5th opinion before you decide on anything.
I agree with beeper James - see another specialist. Do you live in large enough city that would have a few? If there are a few within same office as your current go outside that clinic/office to get independent opinion.
You hit the nail on the head by saying that the doctors cover for each other. Well at least they don't ask you whether you weren't warned about what could happen etc. But ... the new ones would try to nudge you in the correct direction or so I'm finding out.
And guess what. For the first time in 14 years my first eye doctor calls me at home!!!! Never never has he called himself. His staff have called re appointments and the usual after surgery questions but never him. Now he wants to know whether I want to come in next week to discuss the starbursts and halos which he even refused to acknowledge existed!!!!! Ahhhh my appointment with the cornea specialist has got him worried I guess. I did not answer the phone as I was on another call but he had left a message on my cell phone. Well, he can stew because I am not going back there ever!!!!
Save the message you may need it if you end up suing him