Blurred vision months after cataract surgery
Posted , 31 users are following.
I am devastated. I had cataract surgery on 9/11/15, and around December I started to have blurred vision. It is now June 1, 2016, and it starts every time I look at my phone, computer, or even read a magazine. I got computer glasses, and they enlarge the words, but when I put my regular glasses on everything is blurred. No really the large things, but everything I read, etc. I knew I would wear glasses, so that is not my problem. No eye diseases, have seen the surgeon and another neuro opthamologist. No one seems worried, or to take me seriously. I work a 40 hour job that I love, but as soon as I turn on my computer at work, there goes the blurred vision. It lasts all day and does not go away until about 2 hours after I get home. There is a problem, but no one seems to know what it is. They said the lens are in place, etc., and all looks good. It is not. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Before my surgery, I had worked for 12 years on the same computer I have now, and loved to read. I can't even read our newspaper, as my vision blurrs up. Also, on the TV Guide, after I get home from work and still have the blurred vision, the guide shows like a ghost shadow on the bottom of the words on the guide! Help!!!
1 like, 64 replies
vm81 laurel1969
Posted
I have mulyifocal iol which can cause glare, halos, etc. Additionally I have remaining antistigmatism which is causing ghosting. It takes some time for brain to get used to multifocal. Since it's only been 2 months in my case, not too stressed. Remaining antistigmatism can be fixed with laser incisions down the line. So I am hopeful.
I am not sure if you have multifocal iolite or not, but you should check with your surgeon about any uncorrected antistigmatism.
All the best
softwaredev vm81
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re: "remaining astigmatism"
Astigmatism is well known to be a problem (especially for multifocals), and I suspect if that were the issue they would have explained it to the original poster. Although halos&glare can reduce as people adapt to multifocals, for the most part astigmatism isn't something you can adapt to, so unfortunately in your case its likely you won't see much improvement in the ghosting until after they correct the astigmatism. Correcting the astigmatism might even help reduce halos. They prefer to wait until the vision is stabilized to do any surgical correction, perhaps 3 months (or more depending on how cautious the surgeon is). In the meantime contacts&glasses can be used to correct astigmatism if its an issue.
vm81 softwaredev
Posted
softwaredev laurel1969
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You say computer glasses enlarge things, but your regular glasses make things blurred. Does that mean things aren't blurred with the computer glasses, or merely that they are larger but stil blurred? Have they told you what your "best corrected" visual acuity is (e.g. something like 20/20 or 6/6, depending on what country you are in), including for near? They should be able to give you correction that will allow you to read well enough in their office, and if not they should consider it a problem.
Unfortunately it may be that you have some eye issue that isn't due to the cataract surgery and you merely had the bad luck for it to occur soon after. Or if its due to the surgery, it may be something indirect like a retinal problem (though that doesn't sound like a retinal detachment, which can be a risk after cataract surgery), that perhaps a retinal specialist would need to find. Unfortunately if your current doctor can't give you an explanation and isn't taking it seriously enough, that suggests getting a 2nd opinion elsewhere.
laurel1969 softwaredev
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acc925 laurel1969
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fancylady laurel1969
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laurel1969 fancylady
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cynthia55723 laurel1969
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lin59 cynthia55723
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It sounds like you might have what's called PCO cynthia (posterior capsular opacification). Your cataract surgeon can fix it with a laser treatment. Get a second opinion from another doctor and ask them if they think you have it.
rodkahn lin59
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LATE CATARACT SURGERY COMPLICATIONS
Cloudy lens capsule (posterior capsular opacification)
Posterior capsular opacification causes the thin capsule membrane behind the intraocular lens implant to become cloudy. This affects the passage of light rays through the lens implant, and results in mistiness and blurriness of the vision. However, it is easily treated with laser capsulotomy and takes no more than 5 minutes.
Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
susan93004 rodkahn
Posted
I did have this done, Laser was the last step. Still having blurry vision. UGH...
kim47460 laurel1969
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antony36679 kim47460
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Any news on that? I have a very similar situation and I'm trying to find out what to do! Hope you are better!
don76672 laurel1969
Edited
Hi Laurel
I have had exactly those symptoms and got the same response from my eye specialist.
My blurred vision is in the form of a floating cloud, that moves around with my eye movement, similar to the dots and strings that many people have. My vision was great for the first 3-5 months and the floating cloud gradually appeared and got worse. It's been 2years since lens replacement. I've tried acupuncture and naturopath diet plus supplements over the last 2 years and no improvement.
My lens was the fixed focal length.
I had the lens replacement, as suggested by my Glaucoma specialist, as I had very weak vision.
I don't know what else to try.
Has anyone got any suggestions, thanks.
Good luck and Best Wishes
Don
Surreal don76672
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don76672 Surreal
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It’s like a mist. Started out as a floating mist of about 20% of my vision, now it has increased to 80% so now is almost all of my vision.
I do see an ophthalmologist glaucoma specialist every 3 months and my retina is fine, no tears or other. He has no answers, just says it’s probably the glaucoma and nothing can be done.
This does not make sense to me. I still think that there is something else causing this.
Best Wishes
joan65030 don76672
Posted
My second cat surgery has left my distance vision worse (blurry) then before surgery.
SO frustrating! I wonder if they put the wrong lens in my eye!!
Do you still have the same issues with mist?
thanks
terry111050 don76672
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Hi Don, I'm new to this site so I hope this gets to you. I have the same symptoms as you and have had it since two weeks after surgery. My doctor tests me and I'm 20/20 (between the clouds moving around my eye) and he says everything looks fine. Have you gotten any more advice or treatment for your condition?
Thanks,
Terry
joan65030 terry111050
Posted
Hi I sill have the mist my doc thinks it is from the glaucoma and does not see anything "wrong"
THe blurriness is from the lens she used- I can see in a room but have blurry vision for distance in the recent cat eye-
I also have drusen in that eye so maybe I have early MD signs too- THe mist is mostly when I look downward- I thought it was steam from eating hot food but have it when not eating too-
annoying !
don76672 joan65030
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I have seen other specialist as well, but no one is able to give a definitive answer.
There seems to be some agreement that it could be the deterioation of the Vitreous fluid, but as we get older, the fluid becomes less dense and the mist should settle at the bottom and out of our vision.
Hope that this helps with any research that you are doing.
Best Wishes
Don
don76672 terry111050
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I have seen other specialist as well, but no one is able to give a definitive answer.
There seems to be some agreement that it could be the deterioation of the Vitreous fluid, but as we get older, the fluid becomes less dense and the mist should settle at the bottom and out of our vision.
Hope that this helps with any research that you are doing.
Best Wishes
Don
terry111050 don76672
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Hi Don,
my doctor did mention the Vitreous fluid but he said there was nothing that can be done (!). I couldn't believe he said that. I did not have that issue before the surgery. Do you know if the surgery could cause it? It's driving me crazy!
Terry
don76672 terry111050
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I also did not have this problem before the lens replacement surgery.
Opthamalogist Surgeon does not accept that the surger is the cause.
Opthamalogist Surgeon says that is NOT related to diet.
I am trying to change my diet to remove sugars such as Ice cream, as ice cream seems to have a much worseneing affect after eating 1 litre over 36 hours.
I am in very good health, weight fittness etc and do not diebieties or any health problems other than my eyesight.
Best Wishes
Don
terry111050 don76672
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Hi Don,
Glad to know that you are healthy, otherwise. I do have underlying health issues that might be contributing to a slower healing curve but that's just my thinking. It seems like a common issue in this thread is that the doctors do not seem to think it's a big deal - and certainly not a result of the surgery. When I explained my symptoms, the doctor said that it sounded like the vitreous fluid and there was nothing to be done about it - period. No "don't worry, this is common and it will go away" or "let's wait and see what will happen". At least, now I know I'm not alone.
I'll update this thread if anything changes.
Best,
Terry
Rubys_Mom terry111050
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A few years ago I was getting very blurry vision in one eye, I thought my eyes were tired from the work I do but it was getting impossible to drive at night in the rain. I was diagnosed with a macular hole- a hole in the vitreous fluid. Apparently the edges pull on the center of the fluid and it can make a hole. I had to have a surgery called a vitrectomy. The surgeon pulled off the gel's membrane and placed a gas bubble where the hole was, then pulled the gel over the bubble and put the membrane back in place. I had to keep my head face down for a week. I won't even describe to you how annoying it was but I had no choice if I wanted the surgery to work. Little by little the gas dissipated and my vision became much better. They told me from the beginning that this surgery would cause a cataract to form as the eye heals. I went for the cataract surgery about 11 months later. It seemed to go well. The very next day it was amazing to see brighter colors and clearer objects. However, the day after that my vision got much worse. They found swelling in the macular, where the vitreous gel was. I was on 4 different kinds of eye drops for several months, mostly steroids. The finally cut me down to 1 eye drop, then lowered the strength. My eye was doing much better until my last appointment (about 8 months after the cataract surgery). I bombed my vision test. Since I had a multi focus contact fit for my good eye, I didn't notice the other eye wasn't improving. I'm now on eye drops again for 6 more weeks but my surgeon thinks that the cataract lens replacement has clouded over. She said that it's a simple fix of lasering out the cloudiness. I DREAD going through this all over again but it looks like I may not have a choice. I'm waiting the 6 weeks and hoping it improves. If it doesn't improve, I'll be seeking a doctor from one of the larger hospitals, probably in Boston. This is so discouraging. I don't know exactly what your doctor told you about the vitreous fluid, if you have also developed a hole, but if so, you need to have that corrected ASAP. The longer you wait, the larger the hole will get and you may not get restored vision enough to drive. There's also an injection that I've read about, mostly in the UK. I don't know how reliable it is as some people raved and others lost more vision. There are answers and improvements but apparently not cures. Keep researching your options and good luck.
terry111050 Rubys_Mom
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I truly hope that your sight will be restored - especially after having to go through all of the procedures you mention. I never heard that you can correct a blurry lens with a laser. What is that called?
I have had complications from the inflammation. At one point, I was instilling a drop of Prednisolone every waking hour for two weeks. We reduced it to a drop every two hours as the inflammation seemed to be lessening. However, I developed a very irritated and raw cornea that made the vision even worse and was accompanied by pain and stinging. To make a long story short, I am now just on preservative-free lubricating drops to help the cornea heal. The steroid drops were burning like crazy when I used them. The pain is getting better now and we just have to see how the vision improves.
Anyway, I hope this is it. Kudos to you for sticking with it this long. I don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes. Let me know what happens. Take care!
Ohcomeon Rubys_Mom
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terry111050 Ohcomeon
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Ohcomeon terry111050
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Ohcomeon
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terry111050 Ohcomeon
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Yes, that's what my online research also revealed. We just have to ask the right questions and keep reading and researching. Thank goodness for this forum. Take care.
Rubys_Mom terry111050
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That sounds like prednisone overload! The most I was told to use it was 4x/day- they suggested once at each meal, then at bedtime. You eye must have really hurt you. Maybe the strength of the prednisone was too high and it would have been successful at a lesser strength.
I'm glad the pain has eased up and truly hope your vision improves quickly.
Rubys_Mom Ohcomeon
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You were so proactive to seek out the specialist. It's very easy to get discouraged but without good vision, our freedom and our lives can decline. I'm worried about losing my privilege to drive, as my vision in that eye is getting progressively worse and my license expires in October. My surgeon thinks the new lens is cloudy and told me that the cloudiness can be removed with a laser. She made it sound like no big deal but it's a HUGE deal to me. My vision was improving after the vitrectomy and got alot worse 11 months later when I had the cataract surgery. The swelling has taken forever to go down but now that it's down, the vision is 90% worse. I really don't want anyone touching that eye again.
My doctor is 2 hrs away and each appointment takes almost 2 yrs. That's 6 hrs for each appointment. The gas is expensive and I get nervous driving with my eye dilated. Luckily, I'm driving away from the sun on my trip home. So yes--- it feels like it's taking up my whole life. I retired from teaching and planned on doing some subbing, but didn't even apply because I couldn't see well enough to read with the little ones for these 2 years. The appointments, medication and surgeries have nearly stripped me of my savings. One of the copays for the drops is $120! In the past 2 years there have been countless appointments, usually 6 weeks apart. In the winter I worry about driving in the storms and had to cancel once.
So now I'm just discouraged. If the lens clouded after 9 months, will it continue to cloud every 9 months even if they laser it? My next appointment is the first week of July. If I don't get a definitive answer that makes sense, with a course for improvement, I'm making an appointment with a specialist at a larger hospital. I had faith in my surgeon here. Now I'm just not so sure.
I wish your husband luck and hope his course of treatment is successful.
Ohcomeon Rubys_Mom
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Ohcomeon Rubys_Mom
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terry111050 Rubys_Mom
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Just got back from my doctor's office. Said the cornea had improved 50% from the last visit (Friday). Inflammation is still their so we're staying on the Prednisolone once per day and the lubricating drops. I am noticing slight improvement everyday so I'm hoping this course of treatment will get me stabilized. After that, depending on the vision, we'll deal with the next step (YAG?)
Rubys_Mom terry111050
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That's FANTASTIC news!!! Sounds like you're on your way to clear and healthy vision. I wish you continued improvements.
Ohcomeon terry111050
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terry111050 Rubys_Mom
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Thanks. I'm certainly not out of the woods, yet. But, I try to keep and positive outlook and my faith has been a mainstay. Let us all know what the cornea specialist says this Friday. Will think good thoughts!
terry111050 Rubys_Mom
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terry111050 Ohcomeon
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Thanks - I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Please keep us updated on your visit with the cornea specialist. Good luck!
Ohcomeon
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terry111050 Ohcomeon
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This is great news! So glad things are getting better - gives the rest of us hope. Soon, you'll be at 100%.
Rubys_Mom Ohcomeon
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It's a shame that you had to seek out a top ophthalmologist to solve these issues and the one you'd been using couldn't help you. It sounds like a very complicated solution but I'm thrilled that he will finally have the good vision and comfort he deserves.
After my cataract surgery when my vision was very blurry, my surgeon examined my eye and told me that the lens is working and in perfect position, so his job was done. The surgery left me worse off than I started and he felt no responsibility to help. Luckily, I went back to my first surgeon in a well-known facility.
Going to keep my fingers crossed that all goes well for him.
Ohcomeon Rubys_Mom
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terri31281 Ohcomeon
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HI!
SORRY I HAVE TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS TO SEE!
I JUST STUMBLED (OUT OF DESPERATION) ONTO THIS FORUM BY ACCIDENT!
R EYE CATARACT DONE 4-11-2018 THIS IS MY EYE WITH THE ASTIMATISM. NOW IS MORE BLURRED THAN BEFORE SURGERY!
L EYE SURGERY DONE 4-25-2018 - TOOK PROTECTIVE PLASTIC EYE COVER OFF IN THE AM AND COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I TOO, THOUGHT SURGEON FORGOT TO PUT A NEW LENS IN?! LEFT EYE "WAS" MY GOOD DISTANCE EYE. 6 WEEKS LATER AND I STILL HAVE BLURRED VISION WITH WHAT SEEMS LIKE A PLASTIC FILM COVERING MY EYE. SOME DAYS I CAN SORTA SEE DISTANCE BUT NOT CLOSE UP. I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK FOR 6 WEEKS SINCE I DO DATA ENTRY/CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR A JOB. MY SURGEON REFUSES TO SEND MY MEDICAL NOTES AND SIGN SHORT TERM DISABILITY FORM BACK TO INSURANCE COMPANY. I FOUND OUT TWO DAYS AGO HE WAS SUED FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN 2009 IN LAS VEGAS. CAME TO MY STATE COLORADO IN 2010 AND I FOUND AN ARTICLE ON GOOGLE STATING CO WAS GOING TO SEE IF THEY COULD SUE HIM. WELL OBVIOUSLY NOT SINCE IT'S 2018?!
I JUST PICKED UP MY COMPUTER GLASSES WITH UPDATED LENSES AND I CAN'T SEE TO FOCUS VERY WELL AND IF I WEAR THEM FOR A WHILE AND TAKE THEM OFF BOTH EYES ARE BLURRY.
REGULAR EYE DOCTOR IS GET EXASPERATED WITH ME. HE IS THE ONE WHO SENT ME TO SURGICAL DOCTOR. HE IS VERY NICE BUT IT SEEMS THAT EVERY TIME WE DO A PRESCRIPTION ON MY LENSES FOR MY GLASSES MY EYES CHANGE AND THEY DON'T WORK FOR ME. I FEEL AS IF I AM GONG INSANE IN MY HEAD. ALSO DEVELOPED TINNITUS FROM A "HIGH ALTITUDE" MED THAT SURGERY DR. PRESCRIBED (WHEN MY R EYE WAS SWOLLEN AND HAD LIQUID IN IT ABOUT 2 WEEKS OUT). TREATMENT FOR THAT WOULD COST $4,000.00 FOR 12-24 MONTHS! (I WENT AND GOT A FREE CONSULTATION LAST WEEK.)
HOW CAN I GO BACK TO WORK ON NEXT MONDAY? DO I JUST GO AND SEE HOW I DO AND THEN TRY TO DRIVE WITH BLURRED VISION. SURGERY DR. KEEPS SAYING THAT MY R EYE IS LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH. OMG!!!!!!
ANOTHER FUN FACT - I JUST TURNED 60 IN MARCH AND AM GOOD HEALTH AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM!
PLEASE SHARE ANY HELP WITH ME???
THANKS!
Guest terri31281
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Can you find another doctor to fill out your disability forms? I'm going to send you a private message.
Guest
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terry111050 terri31281
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I would seek an opinion from another opthamologist asap who can tell you exactly what is going on. Sounds like your surgeon is not on the up and up and you need to get a real assessment so you can take the appropriate steps to restore your sight. Sorry you're going through this!
Rubys_Mom Ohcomeon
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It was a great idea to respond to the quickly and in a positive manner. Everyone likes to hear they're doing something well. You'd think they'd all have the same education and knowledge. I'm always surprised at how little some doctors know, especially in the days of the internet when we can do our own research.
Keeping my fingers crossed that his vision will be restored.
Rubys_Mom terri31281
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I had a vitrectomy in Sept, 2016 and it was healing reasonably well though I still had some distorted vision in the center. I felt fortunate enough that vision was better. In August, 2017 I had the cataract surgery on the same eye. The day after the surgery was fantastic. Colors were brighter and everything looked clearer. But the next day it all went downhill. I went to my original surgeon (vitrectomy)
and after more testing she showed me all of the swelling behind my eye. It took from August to the following April for the swelling to go down and my vision to be 20/30. As of May my vision was blurry again and at 20/70. Now the surgeon thinks that the lens is cloudy and needs to be removed, lasered and placed back in my eye. That's just about the same surgery as putting the lens in in the first place so why wouldn't the same swelling return?
If you try to read or do any work on the computer your eyes may get strained and you can get headaches. They need to lengthen your recovery time. They need to tell you exactly why you still have poor vision and have a plan to fix it. Yes, it can take some time to become stable but it sounds like you're not getting any answers and that's not fair.
Do you think the high altitude is affecting your recovery? What tests have they done to determine the cause of blurry vision? Are they dilating your eyes each time to see the macula? My doctor does alot of testing and comparisons each time. Yours should be doing the same. Is your doctor just testing your vision with an eye chart or is there more clinical testing done?
We only get one chance with our eyes and sometimes the best thing to do is go to the top. Find the top eye specialist in your state and have your doctor make an immediate referral. In the meantime write down every question you have about your vision, the tests and the meds. Bring them with your or send them an email. You deserve answers. Neither of us can afford to not be able to work or read or drive.
How did they diagnose autism? There are many different levels of autism and all of the students I had in school did very well with academics. Socially they needed a little extra help but we're all a little quirky, even if some of us aren't labeled. By the way, if autism is considered a disability you have a WHOLE bunch of extra rights when it comes to work and housing. Look into it.
Good luck and let me know how you're doing. I hope your vision is restored quickly.
terri31281 Guest
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terri31281 terry111050
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terri31281 Rubys_Mom
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