"Film" over eyes after cataract surgery
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello fellow forum members.
I had my first eye operated on six weeks ago for cataracts , and the second, two weeks ago. (Monovision option).
I am very pleased with the results , as I now am spectacle free after wearing them for over sixty years). My vision is also 20/20 for the first time in my life.
However, I do have an issue with a "stickiness" , or "cloudiness" in my eyes , which I can regulate by blinking.
I am not talking about floaters, which are also an issue,( one which my doc says should be corrected over time).
There is what seems to be a kind of fluid in my eyes that is thick (like a mucus substance) and has a "sticky" sensation.
I am not sure how to describe it more clearly.
Does anybody else have this problem?
I am scheduled to see my doc next Wednesday for a follow up visit and I would like to discuss this with her.
Can anyone offer any suggestions?
Many thanks to all.
0 likes, 13 replies
RonAKA Ichabody
Edited
I wonder if it could have anything to do with the post operative eye drop routine prescribed by your doctor. There seems to be differing opinions on what is the best regime to use. My doctor, Chris Rudnisky, is a University of Alberta professor, and has written a paper on the subject a few years ago. On a google search I see that while he has not been doing many cataract surgeries due to COVID (including mine!), he has taken the time to write a letter to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, critical of an article written by Zafar et al. Rudnisky advocates the use of name branded drops over generics. In fact he has given me two options for post operative drops. One uses name brand and is shorter, and the other uses generics and you have to use the drops for longer. If you are interested in comparing what you got to what Rudnisky prescribes, I can dig up that detail for you. In any case here is a bit of what he wrote in the letter in July 2020.
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"I would like to rebut the conclusion of Zafar et al1 that “there is an absence of evidence for clinical superiority of expensive versus less costly options.” For review articles like these, the critical weakness is the quality of the search performed. The Eye Institute of Alberta, in a study2 of 75 318 cataract extractions, found that eyes receiving postoperative moxifloxacin had a lower rate (0.01%) of endophthalmitis when compared with all other (0.04%) postoperative antibiotic choices (P = 0.029). Clearly, there is evidence in the literature that some antibiotic drops are better than others after cataract surgery.....I wrote this letter to redraw focus to what antibiotic, and which route, should be used after surgery. I believe more research is needed on this question, and until it is answered clearly, we should continue to use fourth-generation fluoroquinolones postoperatively, despite the costs highlighted by Zafar et al. A better way for the United States to save money is to look at drug costs. One only has to look north; in Canada, we can buy a bottle of brand-name moxifloxacin at Costco for $14.27 and $4.49 for a dispensing fee. Imagine the savings."
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Let me know if you are interested in the two options I was given for drops.
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This aside, how are you liking the monovision? I see you report 20/20 I assume at distance. How is it for reading. How much of an under correction did you go for in the near eye? I am thinking of doing the same.
Sue.An2 RonAKA
Posted
i was prescribed Zymar and prednisolone drops pre and post op.
RonAKA Sue.An2
Posted
My surgeon does not seem to use drops before the surgery. Post surgery with generic drugs is moxifloxacin 3 times a day for 1 week, plus prednisolone three times a day for one month. If you go for brand name products then it is Vigamox three times a day for 1 week, plus Durezol once a day for three weeks.
Sue.An2 RonAKA
Posted
Each surgeon would have their protocol. I started with drops 48 hours before surgery and 1 week with antibiotic drops 3x a day and prednisolone for 3 weeks 3x a day.I fortunately had no adverse reactions to them and could see clearly within 24 to 36 hours after each surgery. I do have allergies to dome antibiotics which was in my file - perhaps reason he chose them. They were pricey but my insurance through work covered them.
Ichabody RonAKA
Posted
Hello
Firstly, sorry for the delay in replying, I was incapacitated.... (unrelated to the eyes).
I am really happy with the monovision option. I can see 20/20 and can read extremely well, all with no specs!! No issues whatsoever with the sight part.
Interesting re the drops. However, I am close to finishing this regime so will not bother you for details that you offered.
Not sure where to find the statistic for the undercorrection that you are asking about. For my "reading eye", the patient ID card that I was provided with after the procedure reads +15. 5D if that helps. However, I do remember the doc saying that she would "go for" -1.8. ( I could never figure out the jargon, so forgive me on this lol).
The reading on the ID card for the distant vision eye is +21.0D by the way.
If you can, let me know if this is helpful ( and what it means!)
Procedure was undertaken in a Montreal clinic by the way. Doc is super experienced and teaches at University of Montreal . (Dr Kristy Miszkewic.)
**One interesting point:
Before opting for a public procedure, I visited a Laser clinic for a free evaluation of my eyes (and cataract issue). However, their recommendation made no mention of the possibility of a monovision option.
Plus, at the public clinic, where Dr Miszkewic practices, I actually selected another doctor first, in order to get a much earlier date for my operations. She was younger and with less experience. At my first visit with her, she also did not offer (nor mention the monovision option, and the fact that I would be a good candidate. ) This made me uneasy, as I knew from my research, that I would likely be eligible. So I changed docs.
Not sure why the reticence here.
Sue.An2 Ichabody
Posted
In Canada the surgery with monofocal lenses if you have cataracts so perhaps clinic was private and charging full price if u had opted for premium lenses?
RonAKA Ichabody
Posted
Ichabody Sue.An2
Posted
Could you rephrase this please, not sure i understand.
Sue.An2 Ichabody
Posted
from your comments i understood you are Canadian. Canada's medicare system pays 100% of cataract surgery if you are diagnosed with cataracts that impede your vision so that it is 20/40 or worse even with glasses or contacts (you would not be able to see well enough to drive.). If you opt for monofocal lenses those would be covered as well. I am Canadian too but opted for Symfony lenses. I was credited $300 and I paid the difference between a monofocal lens and my symfony lens which at that time was $900.
If you are looking to have this surgery done privately you may be charged for entire surgery. If you have cataracts you are better off going through the medicare system.
Ichabody Sue.An2
Posted
Yes, I am from Montreal.
However my comments have to do with an issue with stickiness in my eyes, ( post surgery ).
The surgery was done at no cost through the public system.
For information sake, I did get a quote through Lasik and they wanted $5000.
Sue.An2 Ichabody
Posted
which comment did you want me to rephrase?
Would have been awful to pay $5K when it is covered. Glad you didnt have to. I have heard from friends that Quebec actually covers premium lenses as well now.
lucy_73160 Ichabody
Edited
Could it be dry eye? Cataract surgery can cause dry eye syndrome.
This list of symptoms that I found on the internet includes "The eyes may produce stringy mucus."
Dry eye symptoms may include:
Burning, stinging, or scratchy in the eyes.
A sensation like sand or grit is in the eye.
Redness and irritation, especially with wind or dust.
The eyes may produce stringy mucus.
Contact lenses may be difficult or impossible to wear.
Sometimes the eye will actually produce excessive tears that spill out and run down the cheek. *
Variable quality of vision (intermittent blurring).
Are you using eye drops?
I use Systane Balance Lubricant Eye Drops.
Ichabody lucy_73160
Posted
Thanks.
Yes, this is possible.
I bought a box of Hydrasense for dry eyes a few days ago and am giving it a try. So far, no noticeable change, though. However, I seem to have read that these should be taken for a few weeks before improvement is achieved. So I will see what happens.