1. Community
  2. Eyes
  3. Cataract

Blurred vision and shadows after lens replacement

Posted , 21 users are following.

ali58534
ali58534

i had lens replacement surgery a week ago.  Before surgery my distance vision was very good but I couldn't read a thing without glasses. Since surgery I can read the smallest of print but can't see further than a couple of metres before everything goes out of focus. I also have a shadow at the corner of both eyes so feel like I'm wearing blinkers. Has anyone had the same experience and if so does it improve at all without the need for further surgery. Any advice appreciated. 

0 likes, 37 replies

37 Replies

Prev Next
  • eugene68271
    eugene68271 ali58534

    Posted

    I have been having the "blinders" phenomenon in my outer periphery too. It's called negative disphotopsia. No one I talked to had anything like this experience, so I was quite worried. But after 12 days, it does seem to be abating. Give it time. It's hard because it is so disconcerting. After four days, I thought my peripheral vision was gone. I returned to the surgeon after a week to make sure there was no retinal detachment. There wasn't. He explained that for some of us, the lens sits in the 'pouch' in such a way as to make it appear we are seeing the edges of the lens. Most likely, we are seeing the edge or edges of the iris. Be calm and let the drops do their work and let the eye heal. If it does not resolve, and you should know within a month or so, there are options including 1) lens repositioning, 2) an exchange for a different size and type, or 3) what they call a 'piggyback' lens. I am told it is uncommon that this should be needed, but it would be done in 2-4 months, after the cornea heals and before the just-impanted lens becomes too well seated. I'm no expert by any means -- this is just my experience. I was frightened and skeptical of what the docs were telling me, but the resolution they assured me would likely come actually seems to be happening. As far as your distance vision, did you have a corrective lens installed? Or a clear, non-corrective version? Best of luck to you.
    • ali58534
      ali58534 eugene68271

      Posted

      I'll keep my fingers crossed that mine improves also. I had a multi focal lens fitted as pre-op couldn't read a thing without glasses but distance was always fine. Hope this improves as well. I know I'm still in the early days but it does make you worry if you have done the right thing. I hope I haven't swapped my glasses for reading to end up with them for distance. Not sure I'd be happy to have more surgery
    • eugene68271
      eugene68271 ali58534

      Posted

      I had always been able to read but was nearsighted. Now, I will not be able to read anything without glasses, but my distance vision from 4.5 feet out is clearer than anything I'd ever imagined. Funny, I too have been wondering if that was the correct thing to do (opposite as it is from your situation), thinking perhaps I should have remained nearsighted with a clear non-corrective optic, however, I guess there's no guarantee I would have been able to retain near vision without bifocal readers in that circustance either. Not to get too philosophical, but I guess we would always prefer our former 'disability' if only because we were familiar with it. I think I feel most 'off balance' to be between eyes, having only had the first one done and wondering if I went the right way given the options I was presented.
    • tanya40262
      tanya40262 eugene68271

      Posted

      Hi my prblem was very simular.  What was your result?  Did this go away or are you still haveing problems?
    • Speedwa
      Speedwa eugene68271

      Posted

      Hi everyone,

      I'm from Sydney Australia, male and I'm 50 years old.

      I had refractive lens replacement (multifocal) surgery on my 2nd eye (first operation was the week before and all good with that eye) 4 days ago. Whilst I had some minor shadow effects in my first eye after surgery, it went away within 2 days. Unfortunately the shadow in the left peripheral of my second eye has remained and if anything has got a little worse. The surgeon has said that I need to be patient and that it should disappear within a few weeks. Easier said than done I fear. Interestingly, it becomes more pronounced or noticeable when I look to the right. When I look to the left it basically disappears but returns as soon as look straight ahead. The surgeon is one of Sydney's leading cataract eye surgeons so I suppose that I just need to be patient and trust that this shadowing dissipates over a few weeks.  

      If not, hopefully the other options can be employed eugene68271. I am buoyed that your issues started to resolve after time.

      Best regards   

       

  • ali58534
    ali58534

    Posted

    Well 1 week check up today.  Good news is both eyes are healthy and no dry eyes.  Not so good is distance may or may not improve, if not will need laser at 6 months.  Wouldn't commit regarding the shadows and said I would have to discuss with surgeon if doesn't get better what next action would be.
  • eugene68271
    eugene68271 ali58534

    Posted

    Good for you. You have a plan. These are major disruptions of life and it's good to have a doc who is also an advocate. I am hopeful of similar resolution when I meet with my surgeon this pm.
    • ali58534
      ali58534 eugene68271

      Posted

      Good luck with your appointment.

      Not sure if it's a good plan or not for me although I have to say I've just been driving home and found that if you try not to focus on oncoming lights the halos aren't as bothersome. That's one step in the right direction. Just need the distance to clear a bit. I'm trying to forget the shadows but it's hard.

  • dennis63948
    dennis63948 ali58534

    Posted

    My vision was good for distance but I had been using contacts to maintain it and just reading glasses as needed. It's an age thing! I had a cataract op 15months ago and now do not need the contact on the left eye, which was replaced with a lens that compensated for the contact lens. It works perfectly. You may have had the wrong lens in? A similar thing happened to a friend who said she did most work on screens to that is what she wanted! She now has poorer distance vision than before the operation. However, I had a shadow to the left side of the left eye and mentioned it to the consultant who did the operation. He said it would go. He did not tell me what it was. I went back after 3/4 months and said it was still there, and it still is. I find it opressive and sometimes it gets me down as my eyesight is not "balanced". I do find out by looking it up that it was negative disphotopsia but this was not confirmed until a year after the op. I have read that it generally goes and may take weeks or longer. It only remains in about 1 1/2 % of people so think positive as the chances are that yours will disappear! I think people should be told about it so they are more confident rather than just puzzling about it. The medical profession are not yet working in the internet world yet and should be more open, I think.

    I have now decided to pay to see a consultant (I'm in the UK where healthcare is free) but it may be that I cannot do anything for it. They seem reluctant to replace a lens as my vision is now so good!

    Hope you get it sorted but go back asap to check.Good luck.

  • greenhorn1
    greenhorn1 ali58534

    Posted

    Within a span of 20 days gap, i(40-year-0ld) had undergone cataract surgery for both the eyes between Dec 5, 2016 and Dec 20, 2016.In the right my surgeon implanted Alcon monofocal lens (SN60WF 22.5D) for distance vision; and the left eye with Alcon monofocal lens (SN60WF 23.0 D). My surgeon, said since the other eye was set for distance vision, let's keep the right for LITTLE NEAR VISION. In spite of my concerns, she(surgeon) said, it was only little change power and that i would be doing good. This was the scenario. Now i have been facing the following problems.

    My surgeon says operations are successful. However, the problems are haunting me...

    [u]Left eye:[/u]

    1. For the left eye: Even 3/12 eye sight is achieved, except able to read the fine  print if i bring the book/mobile/laptop closer to me.

    2. Unable to watch /view the TV clearly that is about 3 feet away.

    3. Left peripheral vision is obstructed

    4. From the day 1 after the operation, i am seeing a filmy white layer slightly above, left-side,and  below the pupil of my eye.

    5. If i glance at left-side, the layer is being pushed further left-side and able to view clearly. If i turn eye to the right-side, the filmy white layer or a black shadow obstructing my vision.

    6. I am feeling like two vertical black cresents on the left -side of the left eye, and the right-side of the right eye.

    [u]Right eye:[/u]

    1. For the right eye: Vision seems to be 6/12. Cannot read the fine print. 

    2. A white filmy layer is obstructing my peripheral vision from the day 1 after the surgery.

    3. Seeing a black crecent shaped mark on the right side of my eye.

    4. Sometimes, light rays are glittering on the top portion of both the eyes.

    5. Edge of lens on top and right-side of the eye is visible.

    [u]What would be my problem"?[/u]

    1. I feel that i am neither good with near vision or distance vision. How would it be corrected? My surgeon says no problem with eyes, and operation went on well. No Retinal issues, she claims.

    2. When would i get rid off heaviness of eyes at peripherals?

    3. Is something wrong with the power of monofocal lens that are being implanted into my eyes?

    4. Would these black crescents disappear by any chance?

    5. How long i have to see the edges of lens?

    6. Are these problems because of the inexperience of the surgeon who has operated?

    I wonder if you could help me the next course of action to regain my eye-sight with the least or no-side effects.

    Thanks in advance. 

  • M60514
    M60514 ali58534

    Posted

    Hello, wonder if your vision has improved and what if any treatment was necessary for you.

    I had MOL replacement in my right eye 1 month ago - good distance and poor reading before op.

    Post op,y distance was bad and then had len positioned. Still not significantly improved. Feeling worried and down. Also I have this nagging discomfort in my right eye.

    Any suggestions? Ideas etc

    • softwaredev
      softwaredev M60514

      Posted

      Do you have good vision at any distance? The most likely issue is that the IOL power is off, or if its a toric lens that its not rotated correctly (I don't know if that is the positioning of the lens you mention, or if it needed to be centered) or you have residual astigmatism.  If the problem is the lens power or astigmatism, that should be able to  be corrected via laser once your vision has stabilized, or of course temporarily via glasses or contacts.

      The "nagging discomfort" though suggests the possiblity you aren't fully healed from the surgery with perhaps swelling and/or dry eye degrading your vision.

      Do they give any indication what they think the problem is? What is your refraction, the prescription they'd give you for glasses/contacts for that eye? And/or what is your visual acuity in that eye, with or without correction? 

       

    • tanya40262
      tanya40262 softwaredev

      Posted

      HI I can see somewhat clearly about a foot away. Enough to see my computer.  I have to wear glasses for driving.  I have developed what they call floaters and am told they will fade away.  I am so nearsighted in my right eye that I have to wear my driving glass because it is so uncomfortable to look around.
    • softwaredev
      softwaredev tanya40262

      Posted

      That indicates  the lens power is off, which can be corrected permanently via laser (or less commonly, if its  off a large enough amount, a 2nd piggyback lens or a lens exchange) if you don't wish to wear correction for distance. 

    • tanya40262
      tanya40262 softwaredev

      Posted

      Hi yes they said it was a refractive error. And now they want to do lasik.  I most likely will not do that as it has lots of side effects as well.  I don't have any problem wearing glasses for driving.  I had originally gotten the surgery because of cataracts.  And now my right eye is worse than it was with the cataract.  Go figure. I wish I would have never done the surgery!

    • softwaredev
      softwaredev tanya40262

      Posted

      Presumably wearing correction lets your right eye see better than it did with a cataract. Cataracts only get worse, they are the leading cause of blindness in the world. You would have required surgery eventually, unless you are saying being blind would be better than the result you have now. 

       I'm guessing you didn't need to wear correction before for distance and are complaining about the need for it postop, which is why you wish you hadn't had surgery. Its inconvenient to need it,  but being able to see is better for most people than not being able to see. I was a high myope for a few decades where my *best* eye saw things clearly only at about 6.6 inches from my eyes, and the other in closer.  Some people posting on this site recently about cataract surgery were so myopic things were clearest at 3 inches from their eyes. Most people adapt to wearing correction, even if they'd prefer not to need to. Many of us wore extended wear contacts where you only need to worry about dealing with the contact lens once every week (or two weeks, or a month, depending on the brand). There are even multifocal contacts that give you a wider range of vision.  

      If correction is a major pain, the vast majority of people with laser correction have great results, and the correction you'd likely need is smaller than the correction most people get.  Obviously there is some risk, but its low. Or a piggy back lens or lens exchange is also low risk.

       

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.