Continued blurred vision from 2wks to 2months after cataract surgery
Posted , 10 users are following.
About two weeks after cataract surgery, my vision seemed to get blurrier. I assumed it was just taking time for healing. It's been two months and it is not getting any better. Initially, my doctor told me to use one drop of the Prednisolone per day when I saw him the day after surgery. I week later, he says I still have inflammation but should pass - continue with the Prednisolone. After another week or two he upped the dosage to three times per day. That didn't work and he switched me to a stronger steroid. After a couple of weeks, he said the inflammation was gone and my eye pressure was up a bit so he now has me on a decreasing dosage of Prednisolone for three weeks. My vision has not improved. He says everything looks good. I'm a bit worried that something is amiss. Anyone experience the same thing?
0 likes, 29 replies
terry111050
Posted
Saw the opthomalogist today and he saw more inflammation - more than before. He had no explanation why - other than the surgery and how some people react differently. He has me using the Prednisolone - one drop every hour for two days, and then down to 4 drops daily. He said I should notice improvement in a day. I'll post the results. Should I be concerned about being on steroids for such a long time?
Sue.An terry111050
Posted
Most people facing cataract surgery take the drops (anti inflammatory and steriod) 4x a day starting 2 days prior to surgery and continue that for a week after surgery and then stop the anti inflammatory drops after that week and keep on with the steriod drops for 3 weeks.
Just my opinion but based on what you said in your first post the opthamologist had youvstattvthe drops after the surgery and only once a day? If that’s so I think that might have been the reason for the inflammation. He didn’t have you start them before durgeryband 1 drop of prednisolone wasn’t enough.
Steroids aren’t the best things to be on but sometimes necessary. One of the side effects is getting cataracts - and you’ve already got those. I have had to go on steriod creams and prednisone over the years for various reasons and it’s likely cause for my early cataracts at 53.
maria04040418 terry111050
Posted
In my opinion and only my opinion as I am not a doctor, every hour for two days taking the Prednisolone sounds like a lot. But I could be wrong. You have two choices here. If you trust your opthamologist's advice and trust he/she has done many cataract surgeries, then great. If it were me, I would go get a second opinion asap. Although the drug is used to treat inflammation, I only say this because it is a steroid and it may cause more harm than do good. Like I said, that is only my opinion and I do not wish to alarm you. As for me and before getting the surgeries I had the opinion of two other doctors and chose the ladder of the three. Please keep us informed and I pray your eyes improve!
terry111050 Sue.An
Posted
Hi Sue.An,
Just read your response. Thank you. I did start on the steroids plus NSAID and antibiotic three days prior to surgery. Then only the one drop of Prednisolone the week after. I agree that I think he was too conservative. From what I've read online, I probably should have been on the NSAID and steroid three times a day. I questioned it but thought "who am I? He's the doctor and should know best". Unfortunately, I'm very old school when it comes to questioning doctors and those in authority!
terry111050 maria04040418
Posted
Hi Maria,
Just read your response. I am concerned about the steroid use, too. If I don't see substantial improvement, I will seek a second opinion. He does have a lot of experience and did my sister's eyes, too. I appreciate your concern and prayers! I'll keep everyone posted.
maria04040418 terry111050
Posted
How are you making out with the drops?
terry111050 maria04040418
Posted
Hi Maria,
I just got back from the opthamologist. He did a much more involved inspection of my eye - dilation, contact lens, etc. and said everything looked fine except for the inflammation. He doesn't know what is causing it. He has me coming back in a week and put me back on Prednisolone every hour plus one drop per day of bromfenac 0.07%.
It's the first time he said "it will get better" which made me feel a bit better. When I see him next time, I'll ask about the possible side effects of using these drops over such a long period of time. Thanks for checking, Maria!
Sue.An terry111050
Posted
Seriously though I would ask a pharmacist. Doctors funnily enough aren’t experts in side effects and drug interactions.
Sue.An terry111050
Posted
terry111050 Sue.An
Posted
Hi Sue.An,
I'm in the US. And thanks - I think I will. What are my options, though? How do you get rid of inflammation without steroids?
Sue.An terry111050
Posted
If it wasn’t your eye I would have a few other suggestions - but they aren’t eye-friendly.
Some suggest following a certain diet but I wouldn’t that would have much impact.
One has to weigh risk vs benefit and unfortunately steroids are best course of action. I had a condition almost 20 years ago that the doctors tried Motrin 500 and other anti inflammatory drugs but eventually had to go on prednisone for 3 months. Reason why I think I had cataracts young.
Your pharmacist may be able to offer other suggestions.
terry111050 Sue.An
Posted
Well, I don't have to worry about cataracts - or can I get them again?
Anyway, thank you for your concern - I really appreciate it. It's hard when you deal with something new and have no one who can relate which is why these forums are great.
Take care - I'll update again with developments.