Complications from YAG capsulotomy?

So sorry to hear of your situation.  I didn't get any real answer of what happened other than "a reaction to,the laser".  I was given another steroid drop to,use for the inflammation.  He assured me my cornea and lens were just fine and my vision should settle back in a day or so.  For all I know I could have had a hair in my eye, who knows!

guess time will tell.

I sincerely hope it was merely an eyelash. Let me know how you're doing in a couple of days ok? Take care in the meantime

Nancy how is your eye doing now?

I am doing very well and thank you for asking!  I have no more irritation and my vision has now corrected back to pre YAG procedure.  However, I believe the procedure was not needed.  No change at all.  I still see a slight difference in the brightness and sharpness between my eyes.  I probably should not focus (no pun intended!) on that small difference.🤓

Hands down, my vision. Is worse post surgery! My eye doc remains adamant that "no, it isn't worse". Then he gives me the numbers which mean less than nothing to me. All I know is that I have virtually no near vision. Readers help, but I swear they lose effectiveness as time progresses. Night driving is a crap shoot. Halos that I didn't have before. Lights can often be so bright I have to pull off the road.

The lenses I had implanted were the basic. That's all insurance covers.

I wish I'd never had it done. The doctor said cataracts weren't bad and I could easily have gi waited. But.......he said "Why wait. We can do it now before it gets bad". Made sense to me at the time.

Best of luck to you!

So glad to hear you had success! For a surgery that is so commonplace, who would believe all the complications! 😉Great news!

Janet, I read your experience above and I am sorry to hear you did not get better vision.  If you did not get what they call monovision, one lens for near and one for near vision, you would definitely need readers or stronger for,near vision.  My mother had just the standard lens covered by insurance, both for distance which is,the norm, and she still uses her prescription readers.  I did hear that someone in your position could get a lasik procedure to improve your near vision,  This would be less expensive and better than replacing lenses.  What puzzles me most is why you have such severe halos as this symptom is usually associated with the premium lenses.   I can certainly understand your frustration and disappointment.   

As for me, I am scheduled for a multifocal lens July 20.  I am still somewhat uncertain of my choice to go down this road!  I did not have cataracts at all. My motivation was to lose the readers.  My husband had such a great result with his lens replacement after cataracts.  He had one Multi focal and one standard lens for distance only.   

Thanks for your response and I wish you better vision!

Hi Nancy - my surgery is July 10 and I too haven't decided on s lens though leaning toward a multifocal.

If you don't have cataracts you might want to talk to more than one expert. Personally if I didn't have cataracts I would not do this. However my vision has been compromised with cataracts so counting on seeing better no matter which lens I choose. This is pretty permanent - the surgeons don't like to explant these lenses - and although a safe procedure nothing is guranteed 100% and even if surgery goes well there are issues with multifocals and seeing of halos or power might be off. Ask yourself if that is worth rolling the dice. One day they will have better lenses and ones they can adjust without explanting them.

you likely have very good vision with aide of glasses or contacts. So you'll be comparing your IOL with that whereas everything for me now is blurry due to cataracts so comparison will likely be in favour of IOL.

Just my 2 cents for whatever it's worth.

If it is a small neglible difference let it be Nancy.  Use whatever drops the doctor has given you.  You've got good eyesight now so you're good to go.  Very happy for you.  But if there are changes please come back here and let us know ok? In the meantime, take care

One more question Nancy, no more halos and starburst now?

 

The YAG was not done for the starbursts or halo effect.  I do see starbursts around bright street lights but I kind of think they are cool!  I know,that sounds weird but they don't bother me and may subside as my brain adjusts to them, at least that is,what I heard,

Having worn glasses since I was 4. when lasik surgery first came out, I thought it sounded unbelievable and couldn't wait to sign up. I never could go through with it, however. Maybe it's because of spending an inordinate amount of time with eye doctors during my life, that I took everything about my eyes so seriously. Didn't mind glasses, had contacts, life was fine.

I would agree with you that this isn't yet a slam dunk procedure and going ahead with it still needs to be given a lot of thought. My 2 cents, as well!

I gather if you could redo your iol selection you'd consider a premium lens?

I have my surgery in 3 weeks. Thought I would pay for Symfony lens but now second guessing. Thought maybe just get regular ones covered by Medicare and keep wearing glasses but this time for near (currently wear glasses for distance). I wonder if there are different monofocal lenses that would give better vision. I read aspheric ones give great distance clarity. Not sure they are covered or there would be an out of pocket expense.

Wonder too if PCO can happen with any iol or is more prevalent with a premium lens.

Just seems for a surgery that is most common and low risk a lot can go wrong. I am not sleeping at nights thinking of every possibility.

How long has it been since your surgery? Do glasses help at all?

I know this is insanely long, but if you can get through it, I'd be very grateful!

How can one of the most frequently performed surgeries-low risk, easy peasy, clear vision, blah, blah, blah, turn out well for most and for others, can be a complete flop?

Had surgery August 2016. After the first eye, I couldn't wait for the second. Colors were unbelievable, clarity was awesome. The first experience was great from walking in to walking out.

The right eye was off from the moment I walked into the clinic. When the nurse wasn't able to find a vein-and it wasn't for lack of trying, OUCH!, I should have left. My veins are practically un-missable! I'd said that no one had ever had trouble before and she informed me that she had never had this trouble before and the reason it happened was because of all the "scar tissue" in the vein in my hand! Can't imagine how that's possible, but.... The anesthesiologist told me he was going to use less anesthesia than last time because "my brain was used to the surgery and therefore wouldn't need as much". That sounded totally backward to me, but he's the doc. Right before they were rolling me in, I asked whether I'd had all the required drops because it seemed like it was half the amount as first eye. At that moment, Nurse Ratchet came flying into my little cubicle to tell me she had instilled the exact number of drops. (In subsequent visits, my right eye was far slower in dilating than the left) When they rolled me into OR, I woke up and must have moved around when he was working in the eye, as I recall him telling me I had to be still. They must have knocked me out cuz I don't remember anything after that. I've always wondered if there was a slip up when I moved, because it's this eye that has been trouble. There's fluid from the back of my eye seeping over to the front and that is why I have blurry vision and a constant sensation that I'm wearing dirty contact lenses. That's what they tell me anyway.

Here's my question for the females of this group. If the doctor told you that in order to enhance distance vision, there'd be a "SLIGHT" reduction in the near vision. When he said that, he held up his fingers to indicate a tiny bit. His example to me was that I'd be able to read the cookbook and cook the food. That to me indicated a good amount of near vision. I already had been taking my glasses off for up close. Sounded good to me. What would you have assumed he meant by "slight"? Would you have opted for this if you knew that your post surgery vision would leave you unable to see your face in a mirror? Unable to apply makeup, remove an eyelash. Unable to differentiate between shampoo and conditioner?

I kind of blew up at the nurse today, after she told me that there was one more round of contact lenses we could try and then they'd tried everything they knew of. My options now being multi focal contacts, or glasses. I told her my opinion was that no one in their right mind would choose to have surgery that left them worse than before. She assured me that she sure would use special glasses to put on makeup or use special magnifying mirrors, if it meant improving her distance.

What I have is this: Fairly good distance vision. But, if I need to look at GPS, I have to flip off sunglasses, put on readers, wait a few seconds for eyes to adjust, and try to read. Nighttime glare, halos, depth perception issues (also in daytime)have rendered me a virtual menace driving in the dark.

No exaggeration, this eye situation has driven me crazy. If I forget the stupid readers, I can't shop cuz I can't read prices, etc. I can't remove a sliver from my kids foot without great difficulty.

I could, of course, have refractive surgery with laser. Why in the living hell do they think I didn't choose that in the first place? No money for it and the situation hasn't changed.

I'd so appreciate hearing some opinions. If I hear enough people say that this is very common, I'll rethink my position. Thank you so much!!

Not insanely long - lol. Since this could be me in a couple of weeks I am cherishing my close vision as much as I can wondering if I will be kissing it goodbye forever. I love your sense of humour (at least it comes across that way as you have an interesting way of describing situations that I can do relate to). Hopefully we never lose our ability to laugh even through tough times. I know exactly what you mean about your hospital day surgery. Some nurses and doctors are so kind and others can be so kind or downright rude. They sometimes don't want you to question anything and moment you do then they treat you like you know nothing.

I am more confused than ever. Having lunch tomorrow with someone from my church who had her cataracts done earlier this year. In the phone she said she just followed her doctor's recommendation for IOLs. She didn't even know there were options. She had good distance vision and no near or intermediate distance. She struggled for 6 weeks with different readers from Walmart until she got prescription bifocals for near/intermediate. She had no night vision issues at all.

Now this is insanely long. I too wonder why I am so troubled by this decision and others breeze through it. Perhaps it is a matter of personality. Some are more accepting and others question and want more answers.

I agree with Sue-An. Narration not too long and made interesting reading.

Those who write here are the ones with the problems and yes, we want answers or ways to correct the wrongs. The doctors think they're Gods. Specially eye surgeons. Always knew mine was a bit arrogant but never locked horns with him until post cataract surgeries.

In my case Janet immediately after the right eye was done I noticed the starbursts and halos and I told him that. He said that "we" might have to do a couple of adjustments but that first the left eye has to be done. Stupid trusting woman that I was, I agreed. Guess what. Similar story. When I went in for my post op and I told him, he said he could not understand why, because the surgery was successful and my eyes look good!!!

Then he says he's not going to be around for the next two weeks and wants me to see one of his partners. I said I would wait for him and then he tells me he'd like a fresh pair of eyes to see mine!

The second doctor had the decency to tell me that what I am going through is not uncommon and that the normal solution would be to get laser (YAG). Got that done on my right eye. No change.

Switched eye doctor after 14 years. But do I go out at night? Nope. I avoid going out as much as possible and if I do go someone else is in the drivers seat.

My distance vision admittedly better than pre cataract surgery.

Close vision? Use readers all the time even when am cooking.

Intermediate - like watching TV - blurry. Wear my old prescription glasses.

Make-up? Use a magnified mirror😕

I want my life back. A life where I can walk into any restaurant at night instead of searching for the dark spots, a life where I don't have to cover up all the little lights in the room because those are now huge.

Oh what was the question again?🤔 No, it's not common. I just wish I had yelled on my last visit to my previous eye doc.

The new one is not helpful either. Won't even consider explanting and reimplanting new lenses. (But did say I should go to a cornea specialist if I'm considering getting it done) She also thinks I may have macular degeneration. Ai ai ai

This is a great group of people! They can screw up our vision, but our sense of humor remains strong!!Although, if you asked the nurse I spoke with today, she would not agree!! Admittedly, I wasn't laughing when I was threw away yet another pair of readers because they aggravate me, no end.

Thanks to all who got through my tale of woe. To Sue.An......How would you define "a SLIGHT decline in near vision"? Would you willingly give up all but a small amount of near vision to gain mediocre distance vision?

I really want to know from any who will share their opinion. Maybe I'm being too fussy. My vision is far blurrier than before the stinkin surgery.

I thought I'd done a fair amount of research, pre surgery. I hadn't begun to skim the surface!

Janet my doctor described Symfony lenses to me in similar fashion that I would have good distance vision - just slightly less than monofocal and gave good intermediate vision and near vision would be pretty good but might need glasses for fine print to read pill bottles and phone book. Now wondering if that is best case scenario or if no unforeseen circumstances arise what should happen. Because there is no amount of pre research you could have done to prevent the outcome. There are people on this site who didn't get the outcome they hoped for with a monofocal either. I said to my husband last night as he asked if I wanted to delay this that I may be able to delay a few months but that won't make my decision easier to make. Too many variables that I can't predict weigh into this.

For starbursts and glare, circles - I am more and more wondering if my optometrist was mostly right about pupil size affecting the night vision issues. The younger you are the more your pupils dialate which cause more of these disturbances. I don't know if you Niro-adapt everything over time. Been dialogue for with a few people in the UK in their 40's who got Symfony lenses to get rid of spectacles (not due to cataracts) and this was their conclusion to. They got lasik done to correct the power a bit that was off so good outcome for daytime vision however night disturbances after 2 years still haven't subsided.

Conclusion I am coming to is the younger you are going through this the better your eyesight was going into cataract surgery and equals less satisfaction with outcomes after cataract surgery. My eye doctor told me in cataract patients over 65 they gain something they've never had so they are quite happy with outcomes. For people like me who are younger and still have good near vision there is a compromise to make. So it feels like a loss and it's up to me to decide what compromise to make. It would be interesting to poll people on sites with issues for ages to see how accurate my doctor's statement out. He also said that is why I am researching and looking too because I know there is a compromise and I am trying to gage that in others. Perhaps he is right. Just do wish I could put this off 15 years.

I know this was a while ago, Janet but I had almost the identical experience and the same brush off from the doctor. Before surgery, I could not see far but could with glasses and was starting to have trouble seeing up close and night driving seemed a bit dark. (cataracts) Now I cannot see clearly far, like you, cannot see myself in the mirror (intermediate vision) and cannot see close at all. The YAG was done because they thought that was causing all my problems. Then I started getting starbursts on all lights like you at night. I can no longer drive at night. I am only 52!!!!!!! It is so devastating.  Now I wear progressive lenses but have a ton of trouble with them. There is only a small area of vision with progressives as you may know.  I know some people have no problem with them but I have a terrible time.  I could go on and on.  I also have very bloodshot eyes all the time now.  They said my starbursts would go away after I got my glasses. nope.  It's been a year and their idea that my brain would get used to it is a load of you know what.  I am beyond devasted and feel your pain.  It's like they ruined my eyes, my ability to work or drive at night.  and they have washed their hands of it.  My dr. said he has no idea why that is happening.  I finally found something online that may make sense.  It said some people with larger eyes or pupils that dilate larger than most people, can get it even after lasik. who knows.  But that doesn't account for the absolute no good vision at any range. Even with the progressives, I cannot see my face really well in the mirror and a magnifying mirror is only so big and you have to be so close to it.  

Please tell me you have found some answers!!

Hi I know this is an old thread but I just wrote a reply to Janet and had the same experiences as you both. You can read it if you want.  I hope you got some answers. If so, please let me know. I am beyond devastated.

thanks

Yes, I was told I "may have to wear readers". Wearing glasses my whole life I thought no problem. Never thinking I wouldn't be able to see far, intermediate or near or at night due to the starbursts ever again. It didn't even take care of the problem with the darkness I was having seeing at night.  grrr

Hello, I have recently found this thread. I Have read about the pupil thing. Why in the world don't the doctors say something as a warning?!?!?!? Like you'll never be able to drive at night again....whoa.

What did you end up doing? Every other person I know has had a fine outcome from the surgery. Oddly enough except my mom....who didn't tell me she had been suffering from bad eyesight after her surgery cause she "didn't want to scare me"!!!!! she should have warned me and I could have avoided the whole thing!! after a year I think I may even see worse than before. I am trying to find work at home that I can do since I cannot drive at dusk or night anymore!!! Let me know how it turned out for you.  I did meet people at the surgery center that did fine with mono contacts but not with the surgery, which seems weird. 

Hi Angie33115

Yes older thread.  I still get notices of new posts on it though.  Has my surgeries in July and August 2017 and decided to go with Symfony lenses.  I am enjoying great all round vision (no glasses).  Early months night driving was challenging but whether it is a brain thing or not the glare and starbursts subsided.  Think it has more to do with healing as well.  

What type of IOLs did you choose?  You should be able to see well at least for one distance depending on target you &/or surgeon chose.   If not there is another issue going on (whether or not your surgeon acknowledges it or not).   You could have more astigmatism or the power calculation is off and you are over or under corrected.  Can’t know unless you have your current prescription.  Would you have it?  If you’d like to share it we can weigh in on that.  If you don’t know your current prescription see a regular optometrist to get one.  this is a good starting point to figure out what is going on.

Not sure veepee or Janet monitor this site.   I would love to hear how they are both doing now.  I know veepee had one successful lens e change from Symfony to a monofocal lens.  The other eye had a YAG so not sure if she was able to find a surgeon who could do a lens exchange on that eye.

Wish you the best - feel free to reach out with that prescription and I will certainly do my best to point you in a direction of where to go for help.  You deserve to see better than you are.

Thank you for responding.

I went to optholmologist in January and have been afraid to make the Yag appointment.

I can not lose my vision and it is serious what the doctor does NOT tell you.

I did NOT have cloudy vision before the cataract surgery and implant.

Getting cloudier, sorry I had it done.

Fear is keeping me postponing the Yag

Thank you. I am so glad yours went away.  I still have mine.  I did only distance correction.  They did tell me AFTER that it might not be clear due to a slight astigmatism. Then told me AFTER yag that may have gotten the starburst due to the astigmatism but didn't have it in left eye. AFTER I did the Yag in the other eye and did in fact get starburst...he was like...oh...I guess you prob. have some in that eye too. WHAT?! I will try to find my rx but I think the distance is like a .5 now and then the middle is 1.5 (I think) and 2.5 for close up (progressives) but I still cannot really see myself clearly in the mirror.  

They should do one eye at a time.  Maybe try one eye and see what happens?  If I had not done the other eye...I think I could have closed one eye and been ok driving It think. I think cloudy is classic reason to have the Yag.  I think mine did it unnecessarily. I was just having problem seeing correctly at all distances.

 

I had the YAG procedure two weeks ago and have had two problems since. (1) my vision is blurry and (2) I have double vision when watching television, neither of which was the case before the procedure. (I had gone for a six month check-up after having had cataract surgery). I went back last Wednesday and the doc did every check imaginable for over an hour and came up with three possible conclusions; (1) myasthemia gravis, (2) decompensated phomia, and (3) giant cell ? (can't read her handwriting). Now I have to go to a neurological ophthomologist. I am really upset because there was no reason to have the YAG procedure......my sight was fine......she said the procedure would make my vision even more clear.

I do not think I should have had the cataract surgery and regret it. I could have done fine without it. I am terrified about the YAG, do not want more problems. major lesson is just because a doctor advises a procedure, get many other opinions.

thank you for sharing your ordeal on this forum.