3 months post IOL Multifocal lens implantation - suicidal

Hi phil70249,

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologise for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The organisations below can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to one of these organisations who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

There are several helplines in the US which can help you.

They include the Crisis Call Center on Phone: (800) 273-8255;

Hopeline Network on Phone: (800) 422-HOPE (1-800-422-4673)

and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline on Phone: (800) 273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Please do reach out - there are many good people who can help.

For users outside of the USA please have a look at this page https://www.befrienders.org/directory

Kindest regards,

Patient

I am so sorry you are experiencing this Phil. Are you in the United States? If so, I'd recommend you go see Dr. Safran in New Jersey to get his opinion. People come from all over the world to see him. I saw him last week and he will be performing a lens exchange and vitrectomy (for floaters) soon.

Please do not give up.

Hi Phil

First off, thank you for your courage in sharing the way you are feeling. It demonstrates that you do indeed have a will to live, because you reached out to this community that shares tough experiences with eyes. You most definitely are not alone...we have all been there. When we are suffering, our minds trick us into forgetting we are connected to others, and so we feel isolated.

It seems silly, but do it anyway:: try saying out loud to yourself, "Other people feel this." Notice if that makes you feel better. Repeat.

My cataract surgery was three months ago and I have been living in a PTSD re-traumatized state from the side effects I am getting. I totally get the way you feel. It is beyond torture...my central nervous system HATES the input I am receiving from those sensors called my eyes. It feels so personal, so intimate, so close to my very survival and so lonely because others are not seeing what I am. But here in this forum, we find people who understand. We have seen what you are seeing.

Please get more opinions from ophthalmologists. At least three, because that's even standard for a house contractor...and we should treat our bodies at least as well as our houses.

Where are you located? We can help you find a super specialist.

With solidarity,

Tamarinda

Hey Phil,

I am really sorry to hear about your situation. You are young and hopefully a fix can be found with the help of a competent doctor. Let the people here know where you are exactly based.

I've decided that if I can not solve this issue soon, I will leave the Earth.

I actually understand your point of view but that time has not come yet. Give the issue some time and go easy on the "soon" deadline.

You are also going through breakup with your girlfriend at a time when you would have needed her most! In time of troubles you really get to know how people really are. So currently you are very emotional and with right.

I genuinely feel that your issue can eventually be solved despite a bumpy ride.

Also feel free to type as much on this forum as you like. It really helps! We are all here for each other and YOU! 😃

Phil our hearts go out to you and I really hope you have a family member or friend that you can talk to or maybe seek a mental health professional to support and help you through this time. Dark times come to us all but at 55 I know from experience they don't last forever.

Regarding your vision I really think you should seek out a retina specialist or another surgeon to examine your eye. It could be there is an issue with how lens was implanted that is causing these issues.

Keep trying to find someone to help - please don't give up hope

Phil - I'm sorry that you're suffering so deeply.I was an emotional wreck when I went through surgery for a detached retina. I can't even imagine what you're going through. My advice is that despite the added expense, get a third opinion and even a fourth if necessary. Seek out an eye center that is rated high in the country you are living in. Eye care is rapidly changing and evolving. Someone will be able to help you. I also recommend that you see your general care physician and explain to him/her what has been happening to you. My physician was so helpful even though he was not repairing my eye. He told me that in all his years of practice the surgeries that were most emotional for patients always involved either the heart or the eyes. We are all here for you, ok? You are not alone. Reach out whenever and as much as you need. Please keep us posted!

Know the feeling somewhat. 20 years ago I decided to have LASIK surgery to correct myopia. Surgeon stuffed up with the flap being torn away and I've been left with permanent corneal scarring and poor eyesight / distorted images on my right eye even with glasses.

I would strongly suggest seeing the doctor in regard to the matter and asking if anti-depressants might help. These have gotten me through a couple of very rough patches during my life.

Floaters can be very annoying / frustrating when severely stressed / anxious but barely noticeable when feeling mentally well. I've had significant floaters (lines and blobs) all my adult life but barely notice them.

You can get through this.

Thinking of you today Phil. I hope you know that we would like to help you.

Hi Phil:)

So glad you reached out to this group. We could all probably be of greater assistance if we had a little more info. Judging by your phrasing in your post, I'm guessing you are American. If you let us know which state you are in, someone here may be able to recommend a doc close to you.

Also, we don't know how long it's been since your surgery. Some after effects go away quickly, some take a few months, even up to 6 months. For example, if you are still putting drops in your eyes (usually for 6 weeks) there will likely be blurry vision after each drop.

The constant flickering and floaters you are experiencing indicate ( as SueAn wrote) that you should definitely see a retina specialist asap. S/he can give you specific info regarding your diagnosis and prescribe a solution that will actually work.

If some of the effects you are experiencing really have to do with the brain adapting to the difference in vision from one eye to the other, then temporarily wearing glasses may help. Again, we don't have enough info here to make an educated guess.

You may also find it helpful to see an optometrist, in addition to the opthalmologists, especially if your insurance won't cover everything.. An optometrist visit costs much less and the optometrist wouldn't have any ego investment in the situation preventing her/him from giving you a frank opinion. But if you can see a retina specialist, that would be the first route to take.

Sometimes it's a lack of information that drives us to emotional distress. If we don't know enough about a situation and/or possible solutions, it becomes very difficult to choose a course of action to improve things. So please give yourself the peace of finding more information. And a little extra love and compassion.... We'll be sending some from wherever we are.:)

Thoughts are with you Phil. Please drop us a message to let is know you are OK. Many of us want to connect and support you through this difficult time.

The wonderful thing about this forum is we are from all over the world and due to time zones there would be someone on here at whatever time to dialogue with.

You are important.

Hello Phil,

I wanted to let you know I was looking up info about weak zonules, which are the tethers that hold the lens capsule in place. I read that when the zonules are weak, patients can experience a persistent shaking in their vision.

I read that there are hooks that surgeons may use to stabilize the lens in cases where the zonules break in the OR, and so I wonder if there isn't a surgical fix for your problem.

Anywho, I hope you are coping. We are all anxious to know how you are, and are with you in spirit and support. Feel free to private message if you want.

Hi Phil,

I dont know what was outcome of your unsatisfactory IOl but I wanted to share, they can be removed or even another piggybacked. You have options. Not sure what state you are in but here in Florida there are dozens (hundreds?) of ophthalmology surgeons with tons of experience. You are welcome to PM me if you decide to come here.

Hi Phil the flickering is your eye trying to find the power through the lens to see, it will correct itself if the blurriness goes away over time.If not corrective glasses will stop it and help with the coke bottle glare effect you are having.

I've had the same problem for 4 months out.