Cataract Surgery

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I just had cataract surgery on both eyes,the first surgery went fine and I could see nearly 20/20 on my follow up visit.But when I went back to my eye specialists (surgeon) to get ready for the second surgery on my left eye I could only see half way down the eye chart.The surgeon said it was cloudy and it can be correct with lazier treatment in three months. 

I took his word on it and hope it will correct this problem.However I proceeded to have my left eye which resulted in a black rim/shadow in the corner of my eye ,the following day,which is very annoying.On my follow up the surgeon checked my eyes and tells me it should go away in 4 months.I didn't find this very assuring.

Can any one tell if they have experienced those problems and if so did the black rim/shadow go away after a period of time.Has for the lazier treatment (if you had it)did correct cloudy at the back of the lens. 

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0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    I had my right eye done about 7 weeks ago.  I had a black rim/shadow for a little while.  It did go away. 
    • Posted

      Hi Carla

      The black rim/shadow as been thee since the surgery,I also noticed over the weekend that I am getting a flashing light when I move my head.This just started after I finished using my eye drops after 3 weeks.I sure hope this goes away also,because it is just as annoying as the black rim/shadow.

      Thanks for the encouragement. 

    • Posted

      I also had a little bit of flashing light. That also went away.  Hang in there!
  • Posted

    Yes the YAG laser should take care of the cloudiness. this happens to many people after cataract surgery. Cells grow on the back of the lens causing blurriness but the laser is a simple procedure and should take care of it.
  • Edited

    Hi  freeman62151

    Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a fairly common complication of cataract surgery. It can happen within weeks, months or years after cataract surgery and can be fixed with a laser procedure (YAG procedure).

    However you will want to ensure that is the reason for your cloudy vision.  Once you have a YAG done it makes it that much more difficult to have a lens replacement.   For some on these forums their blurred vision has been due to a faulty lens vs PCO.  

    • Edited

      Hi Sue.An

      I have recently read a post on here where a gentleman had the YAG treatment and only gain 25% improvement ,which is better than none ,however it left him with floaters which is more irritating for him,and was told by is doctor that he might get better results with a second treatment.

      I don't have any issues with floaters etc. just the cloudiness at the back of the lens.He as me second guessing whether I should live with the cloudiness and cancel the YAG treatment for fear of causing more more issues.Have you read/seen where a different type lens would be more susceptible cloudiness versus another type of lens.Caught between a rock and a hard place on what to do.I have enough issues with the left eye black shadow syndrome and dosen't want to cause anymore problems by having this YAG treatment,what's your thoughts in a case like this.    

    • Posted

      Hi freeman62151 - my surgeon said that cloudiness or PCO occurs in about 30% of patients but I am thinking that is higher and occurrence in younger patients more than a younger patient.

      It also has to do with lens type.  Square edge IOLs are better at preventing PCO however higher incidence of edge glare.  Round edge IOLs have less glare but more PCO

      I sympathize with you.   I guess for myself not going to have that YAG until cloudiness affects vision and like the cataracts to begin with or much choice I will need it done.  So far so good after 7 months no hint of it yet. 

    • Posted

      Meant won’t have the YAG till there is no choice.  Autocorrect on an iPhone drives me nuts sometimes.   

      Have you gotten more than one expert opinion ?   

      I am always puzzled why some have such clarity with no complications and others do.  And some of the issues do take months to resolve - especially the night vision issues.   

      I just hesitate about the YAG as it takes away your option of a lens exchange.

      There have been a few on these forums where they had cloudiness and doc advised YAG and when it didn’t clear up and went for 2nd opinion the cloudiness was actually the lens (and this was a couple of years after surgery).  More the type of lens that is at fault (Oculentis) which although available in Europe is not available in Canada or USA.  

      If you can get another expert opinion and exam done perhaps that would be worth more than all our opinions here.

      Good luck to you freeman.

    • Edited

      Good Morning Sue.An

      I went to seek another opinion on whether I should proceed with my YAG treatment.The Dr. did confirm the cloudiness in both eyes.He checked everything out ,said the lens implants where in the correct location,and suggest that I proceed to get the YAG treatment,he said there shouldn't any reason/doubt, why I should the lens replaced in the future.

      Has for the left eye that has the shadow/black rim in the corner of my eye.he said he hasn't seen where it didn't go away in his years of eye surgery.He is a retired surgeon ,who only checks your eyes for cataracts,and to and glasses.He has done eye surgery for years and as a good reputation.Has for the cloudiness ,he suggest I talk it over with the surgeon with regards to doing YAG on it down the road and determining if I need the lens changed before performing YAG treatment on it.

      I will post the results wither there was an improvement or not once I have the treatment next week.

      Take care 

  • Posted

    I had the only seeing halfway down the chart four weeks after cataract surgery after previously having great vision. I too was told I wud need lazer surgery... Since then it has corrected itself massively. Your shadow sounds like a retinal tear have they checked for this?

    • Posted

      I should say it has corrected itself without needing the lazer surgery.

    • Posted

      Hi Marie

      Yes I did go back to the eye clinic at the hospital the following day ,where they checked both eyes and the retinal was and the eye specialists said she did see the cloudiness on the back of my right eye lens.

      I also think the left eye might be cloudy also besides all the other issues I am experiencing.I think I would have been better of leaving my eyes alone,this as made it worst.

  • Posted

    The cloudiness could be from the drops prescribed after surgery, but Pco is common. I currently have it also. I had cataract surgeries end of December. I recently underwent replacement iol surgery in the first eye due to incorrect power installation ( I’m a previous lasik patient). I had the replacement surgery last Thursday ( 10 days ago). At first things were cloudy and colors were inaccurate ( seeing orange instead of green) that was due to looking into a strong light during surgery. I also have the rimming effect. After my first go round of surgery it was rather annoying, especially during low light conditions, when my pupil was dialated. But the rimming effect started to wear off after all medications drops were done. I’m young (48) compared to some patients and my pupils dialate wider than most so I think the rim might be more reflective with larger pupils. But now 4+ months later in left eye. Rimming is not noticible. 

    What I’ve learned is the clouding comes from various issues. The actual steriod drops, inflammation, and dry eye. Also just the natural progression of a surgery with cells forming on the capsular bag ( yag). Not everyone will need yag. Just depends on your particular make up. What I would suggest is over the counter eye drops to keep the eye hydrated. I use refresh optive preservative free. You can purchase them at any drug store either in single use or vial form. 

    I had severe issues of coming off the steroid drops and was switch to another steroid. Some of that flare up may have been prevented if I had started the over the counter hydrating drops sooner.  But that’s just my recovery. The cloudiness and color issues resolved over the weekend following this last surgery. Rim is still there, but I have faith that it will disappear within the next few weeks as it did with previous surgeries. 

    Good luck and hope this reassures you that several of us experience the same thing smile 

    • Posted

      Good Morning Julielyn ,thank you very much for the reassurance that this does get better with time.
  • Posted

    Sorry to hear of the difficulties you are experiencing.  It helps to have others chime in with their experiences.  I had surgery two months ago and still have inflammation  and cloudiness.  Is your cloudiness evenly spread or is it like mine - comes in waves of different densities?  Sometimes, I can see "okay" until one of those floating clouds gets in the way.  Just wondering if this is the same that everyone else is experiencing.

    • Posted

      Hi Terry

      Yes sometimes my eyes are good but most of the time it is cloudy/blurry especially with the dark rim /shadow in the corner of my eye,I am now experiencing a flash when I move my head it appears mostly in the area of the black shadow,very annoying ,gives you a feeling like their is something in the eye.I have an appointment to see the surgeon tomorrow to see why this flashing begin ,but after reading some of the patient post it's common to have those symptoms.I just hope it's temporary and not have to deal with this for the rest of my life.I an scheduled to have lazier treatment to have the cloudiness cleared up on the back of the lens in 3 months.Some patients said the experienced the cloudiness and it cleared up over time and didn't need any lazier treatment.Hopefully yours clears up and you don't require this treatment.Some people have this surgery and everything turns out great,but my luck I had to be one of the those who is experiencing the worst of cataract surgery.        

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