Depressed about my sight after cataract surgery
Posted , 5 users are following.
been awhile since i posted here. i can see and read and see tv good but with glare still and blackish stuff in my vision. have had YAG surgery twice. have ReStore lens. changed Doctors. last week. having to use warm compresses , clean lashes with water diluted baby shampoo, 2 drops of Systane drops daily until i see him again February 20-19 . will this glare and blackish stuff ever go away? has anyone else experienced this ?
0 likes, 15 replies
mjcg janice_56298
Posted
Hi Janice - Although I have not experienced any of your eye symptoms, I have experienced depression as a result of vision problems. Back in April I had an emergency vitrectomy which sent me in a downward spiral that I've still not fully recovered from. I still can't see clearly due to a growing cataract growing as a result of the surgery . I now have TWO different recommendations from two highly regarded cataract surgeons: 1) Use a distance vision lens and have Lazik on the "good" eye to bring both eyes "in sync" (reading glasses will be needed) or 2) Use a near vision lens and leave the "good" eye be (progressive glasses should then fix my vision). How mind boggling is it to get two different opinions like that? So we try to make a decision about our sight and have to hope the surgeon gets it right. I have always been nearsighted and I've always had to deal with glare from lights even before the surgery. You might want to try those night glasses that help reduce glare when driving. My heart goes out to you and I hope someone in this forum can offer you good advice. I will also recommend that you see your primary care doctor and ask to be referred to a counselor. Sometimes it helps just to have someone to talk to...
janice_56298 mjcg
Posted
thank you so much for caring to reply about my situation . im so sorry about yours also ! yes we trust the doctor but then things arent what we expect. i googled about the ReStore lens after my surgery and there are many law suits going on! so sad! i can read anything ,hem dark clothes etc. just still have this glare and floaters still ? i will pray fir you ad i hope you will for me. we paid &6000.00 for these lens. i didnt ask for them.. was promoted there at office? again thank you for your suggestions !
mjcg janice_56298
Posted
Hi Janice - Although I have not experienced any of your eye symptoms, I have experienced depression as a result of vision problems. Back in April I had an emergency vitrectomy which sent me in a downward spiral that I've still not fully recovered from. I still can't see clearly due to a growing cataract growing as a result of the surgery . I now have TWO different recommendations from two highly regarded cataract surgeons: 1) Use a distance vision lens and have Lazik on the "good" eye to bring both eyes "in sync" (reading glasses will be needed) or 2) Use a near vision lens and leave the "good" eye be (progressive glasses should then fix my vision). How mind boggling is it to get two different opinions like that? So we try to make a decision about our sight and have to hope the surgeon gets it right. I have always been nearsighted and I've always had to deal with glare from lights even before the surgery. You might want to try those night glasses that help reduce glare when driving. My heart goes out to you and I hope someone in this forum can offer you good advice. I will also recommend that you see your primary care doctor and ask to be referred to a counselor. Sometimes it helps just to have someone to talk to...
mjcg
Posted
Sorry... I have no idea why my answer posted twice and there doesn't seem to be an option for deleting a reply. Ugh!
Sue.An mjcg
Posted
Yes the whole process and decision making is at times overwhelming. I was glad to find these forums to reach out to people going through similar circumstances. I had 7 months from diagnosis to surgeries and plenty of time to waffle though the options.
Something you may find comforting that someone said to me. Although the options and opinions you have received seem really different BOTH could potentially work very well for you. Each option has its pros and cons and it's a matter of deciding which compromise you can live with (on the pessimistic side) and which distances you would prefer seeing well at (positive outcomes). Although nothing is a guarantee start there - maybe do up a spreadsheet with how much time you spend in your day doing various activities (hobbies, work, screen time, reading, night driving et ). I based my decision on where I spent the most time on. IE someone who drives a truck for a living or pilots a plane will have different needs than someone who plays tennis or reads a lot. I know we all want it all, but sometimes that isn't possible. Much like the game 'would you rather' and neither option is ideal but you have to choose anyways.
Hope it all works out for you.
Sue.An janice_56298
Posted
Hi Janice - this site has recently undergone changes and I cannot seem to reinstate email notifications when someone posts a new message. Anyone experiencing this and found a solution other than to log on and check in from time to time?
Sorry to hear about your hard time with glare and 'blackish' stuff in your field of vision. How long ago was your surgery? These 2 symptoms may be unrelated - I am more concerned for the blackish stuff. You really should see someone sooner than Feb 20. If it is like a curtain - don't want to alarm you but it could be retina detachment that needs attention asap. Or could be larger floaters/debris left from surgery. Has any doctor seen you since these symptoms occurred?
We are all like you - patients and cannot diagnose what is wrong, but it certainly sounds like you should seek medical attention for a proper eye examination.
Best of luck to you.
janice_56298 Sue.An
Posted
hi sue.an.. thank you for your time replying. yes i changed surgeons. just seen him . he gave me a great examination. everything else was very good. says these cant be replaced .. too risky. i wish i had gotten the ones that medicare pays . i didnt ask for these . wish they werent suggested ! too late for me now. again thank you for caring .
Sue.An janice_56298
Posted
A cataract surgeon who performs mainly cataract surgeries usually do not perform lens replacement. My own surgeon told me prior to my surgeries that he doesn't do lens replacements. You would need to see a specialist to confirm whether or not lens replacement is an option. Did he or she provide you with an explanation as to why it is too risky? ie Did you have a YAG procedure for pco (that would be one reason for it being too risky.
Personally if my vision after cataract surgery couldn't be corrected with glasses I would seek out a specialist about exchanging lens. Seen a few stories here on the forums of that being successful.
Did the person you saw explain what that blackish stuff you are seeing is?
Komiko janice_56298
Posted
Your treatment regime right now is for dry eye/myobian gland dysfunction. Dry eyes can affect your vision quite a lot. I don't understand what the blackish stuff is without more explanation. Keep working with your dry eye treatment, hopefully things will improve.
janice_56298 Komiko
Posted
hi komiko thank you for replying. the blackish stuff is floaters. then there is the glare. my eyes have never felt dry. just wish these lens were never suggested! i'm praying that maybe more time they will get better. my surgery was year and half ago. i just changed doctors november 16. the first one was always fast and too busy to take up much time with you , but suppose to be the best cataract surgeon, the new dr. is nice and kind, and he took lot of time with me the other day. im praying that maybe more time will help clear my eyes more! thank you again for your time and caring too!
Salty0 janice_56298
Posted
define blackish stuff please?
janice_56298 Salty0
Posted
hi saltyo.. the blackish stuff is floaters along with the horrible glare! thank you for replying!
Sue.An janice_56298
Posted
Ignore my question about blackish stuff. Is there anything they can do about the floaters?
Salty0 janice_56298
Posted
Thanks for following up and answering my question. Floaters are the one issue that hasn't presented yet however the glare particularly at night while attempting to drive is what's most upsetting. White knuckle driving in heavy fast traffic makes amusement park rides look tame. I've basically given up on night time driving. On the other hand when driving in bright sunlight behinds car that are being hit by that sunlight in a certain way is pretty much the same although it doesn't happen constantly. I am learning to adapt no more electronic reading devices. large print books and emails basically wait until I'm in a "good environment", I live aboard my sailboat which doesn't qualify as a good environment. I simply cannot believe that dry eyes are the cause of all these issues
Sue.An Salty0
Posted
I agree with you do not really think dry eyes are root cause for all your issues. Consider again going to someone else (unrelated to office that did your surgeries or referred you to them).