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Eye sight worse one week after cataract surgery

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linda86429
linda86429

hi. I had surgery last week and was amazed how well I could see the next day. At my post opt appointment that day my vision was 20-40 and crisp. I was extremely near sighted so I was thrilled. A few days later I had an eye ache, bad head ache and sick to my stomach. Saw the dr who confirmed my eye pressure was elevated and told me to stop one of my drops that could cause this. Two days later my pressure dropped from 32 to 26 but my vision is now 20-50. The dr said that's because it is still healing. I am quite concerned. Should I be?  Thanks!

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • glen45723
    glen45723 linda86429

    Posted

    Yes. I had very similar issues. Not saying this is happening to you but it could be onset of cme. This is basically retinal swelling. Drops you were given likely were nsaids and staroids. They are given to prevent this. You should have also been given congubine which should reduce eye pressure. Good news is if it is cme it does go away if treated properly but be on top of this. My dr was not and basically said it will correct. I lost confidence in him, changed Dr's and getting proper treatment for this. Another possible cause is dry. Eyes don't secret tears as well post surgery and you need to apply artificial tear drops. Hylo drops are best but expensive. Best of luck. I am still 6 months post surgery dealing with cme. 20 I 20 10 days post and 20 I 40 60 month post but down from 20 I 70.

    • linda86429
      linda86429 glen45723

      Posted

      Hi Glen. My dr is also saying it's because my eye is healing. I wasn't given anything to bring down the pressure. I will stay on top of it until I know for sure nothing is wrong. I had my second eye done two days ago and it feels great compare to this one. I know each eye is different and that it's only been a little over a week but it is hard losing that crisp clear sight that I had for four days
    • glen45723
      glen45723 linda86429

      Posted

      Best of luck. I learned to be your own advocate. If it feels wrong it is. Don't be scared of seeking another opinion. Pressure drops are very standard so the fact you were not given these is a red flag.
    • linda86429
      linda86429 glen45723

      Posted

      I agree about having to be your own advocate. He doesn't want to see me for 3 weeks.  Maybe due to the fact he is going on vacation. I am calling today to get an appt sooner and will ask why he didn't prescribe the pressure drops 
  • jude65855
    jude65855 linda86429

    Posted

    Give it time Linda and some patience!   It's not uncommon for problems to show up much later than a week after surgery
    • linda86429
      linda86429 jude65855

      Posted

      Hi Jude. I'm sure you are right it's just hard losing excellent vision in that eye for four days after being nearly blind most of my life
    • jude65855
      jude65855 linda86429

      Posted

      That must be very disappointing for you.   Were you nearly blind for years because of cataracts and if so, why was nothing done earlier?
    • linda86429
      linda86429 jude65855

      Posted

      No I just had extreme near sightedness and astigmatism. So even with contacts or glasses my vision was 20-70. I was not a candidate for LASIK. Once I developed cataracts I was able to have this surgery. I was young to get them - in my early 50s so was actually happy to have developed them
  • Linda4738
    Linda4738 linda86429

    Posted

    Im 6 weeks post surgery and still have worse vision that before surgery. The doctor that did the surgery said there is still some swelling . I went for a second opinion and this Dr. Says it's a epi retinal membrane ( which I had prior to surgery) that is changed. Both doctors mention it but one says there is still swelling and one does not. The second opinion said go off the drops gradually as steroids need to be done that way and the original Dr. Says use them every 2 hours  (as opposed to 3 times a day) for 2 days to give a anti inflammatory jolt and see if that works. So who's right? I am trying the extra drops as there is nothing else to try for now.

    i can have that membrane removed both doctors and the retina specialist say but that can't be done for a few weeks and so I'll try what I can. 

    As for the eye pressure it was always in the normal range although a bit higher so you should get relief from the mess for that. 

    I do have a question though since I'm in the US and believe this forum is primarily in the UK? Am I correct? The meds might be different so I can't comment on them specifically.

    goood luck from one Linda to Another.

    • jude65855
      jude65855 Linda4738

      Posted

      I was never told anything about going off the cortisone drops slowly, just to take them and the antibiotic drops faithfully for 4 weeks and then throw out whatever's left.     That's in Australia, by the way, and from what I read on the net before surgery those two types of drops are standard.

      I've also come across a few people who had problems after surgery and it turned out NONE of them had taken their eyedrops as directed or stayed out of the sun except with sunglasses as directed.   My discharge sheet also instructed me to not bend forward, drive a car or lift anything heavy for (I think) two weeks but apparently this advice isn't standard even in Australia, let alone other countries.    Personally, I'd rather err on the side of extreme caution than risk vision problems.

    • linda86429
      linda86429 Linda4738

      Posted

      hi Linda. I am so sorry for your situation and hope you are able to have your sight restored. I haven't heard of this but will research.  I didn't realize this was a UK forum. I am from the US
    • linda86429
      linda86429 jude65855

      Posted

      Hi Jude. I wasn't told to gradually stop either and am down to a few more days of one anti-inflammatory drop for this eye. I am still on 3 different drops for the second eye which was operated on two days ago. I have taken all my drops religiously, not bent over or lifted anything and have worn sunglasses even in my house on a sunny day. I would say I am a good patient 😊
    • jude65855
      jude65855 linda86429

      Posted

      Sounds as if you are!   Some medical advice I ignore or modify, but not with cataract surgery!   I'm having my second one at the end of this month and as I had no problems with the first one am optimistic about this one too
    • linda86429
      linda86429 jude65855

      Posted

      I'm sure your second surgery will go well. What a gift to have good eye sight
    • jude65855
      jude65855 linda86429

      Posted

      Yeah, I'm looking forward to it!   I'm so grateful to live in a country with a not perfect but good in patches public health system:  the surgery cost me not one cent and even the temporary spectacles were only AU$10 
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