cataract surgery years after lasik

When you say multifocal, what brand and type? 

Does the doctor know for sure whether wrong power lens was installed?

I fail to understand why surgeons would wait only one week between these operations. In my view that is not enough time to allow the first eye to stabilise and in order to compensate and adjust measurements for the second eye resulting from any deviation in the results of the first. 

Recovery does take time, both physical healing and for the brain to adapt. I hope there is a more positive outcome for you over the coming months.

Wow, sure sounds like a bummer. I had lasik in the late 90s. I just had cataract surgery using the Femtosecond laser and standard, monofocal IOLs. I was told because of the prior lasik, I wasn't good candidate for multifocal IOLs. If you keep having problems, I would get a second opinion.

Hi Julielyn

Golly I hear you, sounds like a LOT I've been through and still going through..(7 MONTHS) way to long and sure wasn't what I envisioned cataract surgery was going to be like afterwards.  I finally went to a cornea specialist because even my dr and his associate didn't know what to do for me any longer.  I have had laser surgery on both afterwards because of scar tissue.  Been on 12 different types of eye drops and Costly also.  (about 600.00 out of my pocket that isn't covered by insurance).  I actually had amniotic membrane (bandaid procedure) on right eye on Nov 29,2017 and no improvement.  Then on Dec 13, 2017 did the amniotic membrane done to left eye and within TWO DAYS---improvement and can see distance better and clearly.  Back to cornea specialist on Jan 5 2018 and had plugs inserted into tear ducts to see if it will help my extremely dry eyes.  They fell out about 7 hours later and called Dr back on Monday the 8th of Jan and was told to come in again.  Inserted new plugs (the ones Friday he inserted were too small and why they fell out) since then still have the plugs in. 

I go back on Feb 2 to see what next plan is.  If I could see as well with my Right eye as my left I would feel more comfortable. I am almost to the point of asking for bifocal glasses again so I can see better and without having to keep flipping off and on glasses. 

NEVER thought I would be going through all this.

I am 69 years old -- so I know it could be my age, we tend to be slower in healing.  But I know so many that have had cataract surgery with NO ISSUES and everything is well.  

I have lots of issues and side effects with medications and also now I know I have it with eye drops too.  Been told it takes time--well you would think about 7 months things should have improved by now.  My dr even talked about possible cornea transplant; and honestly I don't think I want to go that route.  My eyes are too precious. I have had about 4 times of being so FRUSTRATED, but I keep thinking it will get better.  I have my Faith and many praying for me! 

I don't know why they do cataract surgeries just a week apart.  Most people it is usually 3 to 4 weeks later or longer to make sure eye is completely healed and adjusted. 

My first was June 14,2017 and second was Aug 16, 2017. 

I am almost to the point of getting another opinion, but some dr will not see you until you are released from one or given a referral to another. 

So good luck and keep in touch.  Praying for you Julielyn

My name is Charlene and I live in St Peters MO

 

Update: went back to dr for 2 week follow up after switching steroid drug. So far no issues with durezol. ( thank god) my first eye is within .50 diopter so dr says he’s happy ( although it is not clear vision, I’m not happy yet) left eye is still “out of whack” for a lack of better words. Ever since the episode of pain/strain of prednisone drop reduction, sight in left eye has not improved. Dr recommendation: another visit in one week to verify no change after being drug free, then lens exchange for proper power lens in left eye. And possibly PRK to dial me into crisp clear vision. 

Had I gone to sighttrust in sawgrass fl, both eyes would have been done on the same day!! I am now in agreement with others that second surgery should wait if possible (  I would have had mono vision and although I attempted to wear mono vision contacts I could only stand it for about 5 hrs—not sure if that would have been better) the dr over compensated the second eye power because the right ( first) eye hadn’t settled yet. My initial readings were 1.5-1.75 off now down to .5 off.  Keeping fingers crossed that I’m still able to improve with multifocal toric lens. 

To sum up, patience is the key for my recovery. And I now know that prednisone causes a negative reaction in me. Grateful to have a plan, praying that it pans out. 

Thank you for all the responses 

Julielyn, After 7 1/2 months my right eye still does not see distance clearly like I thought I would by now.  Left eye has improved after I had Amniotic membrane done---2 days later I was able to see distance CLEAR!  My right eye there was no change doing the Amniotic membrane.  I go back to my Dr this Friday Feb 2.  Not sure what next plan is at this moment.  Jan 5, 2018 I had plugs inserted into my eyes to help with the halo's and bursting.  I still have the halos and I think they have improved somewhat.  Plugs were inserted because of my extreme dry eyes to see if this helps.  If so I will have permanent plugs inserted.  So waiting to see what happens on Friday.  I have to use readers to read, because even my closeness is not what I was expecting.  It does get frustrating, just wanting answers and to see CLEARLY! 

Charlene

Many people who didn't have LASIK and got multifocals have problems and need to have them removed. That might be your best bet to have them removed.

Same goes for toric IOLs since they can rotate in the eye. So you have multifocals that are toric and both things can be problematic.

It’s been a weekly check up since surgery. And I see a lot of fluctuations. One day the right eye is clearer and the left eye goes blurry and then the next day or a few days later it reverses. Seems like a battle of dominate eye is really heating up. 

I had another follow up with dr yesterday. Vision is returning from left eye flare up from last week. My flare ups consist of redness light sensitivity and pain. The reintroduction of steroid drops remedied this. One drop for three days. I was fortunate that the flare up started about 1pm after doing computer work for @15mins and my dr appointment was at 3:30 so by the time I arrived I was in full force of the flare up. Once I returned home ( hour+ drive) I started the drops. The next day things were back to normal and the third day I didn’t think drops were necessary but I followed instructions. So yesterday was my follow up for that. 

We have decided to postpone exchange surgery until after my vacation and dr vacation. So I won’t be going back in for 6 weeks and hopefully during that time no flare ups or complications will arise. I have been prescribed glasses for the time being. This by no means an acceptable outcome—only a temporary solution. I chose only to accept reading glasses at this time. If a flare up occurs. I follow the procedure used in the past one drop of steroid for three days. 

I’m taking it one day at a time. Some days are good visual days others are not. We are also trying “natural tears” to see if dry eye is a problem. I live in an environmentally controlled home ( ac set at 72 degrees) and I work outdoors all day in a humid environment.( south Florida) so I can see where the use of over the counter preservative free eye drops could help. 

Doing my best to be patient and wait out the healing process. 

My reading glasses will be +1.75 in left and +2.0 in right.