Iol exchange

thank you for posting this. youve given me courage. i am scheduled for the first lens exchange next wednesday. wishing you all the best.

Wishing you well - hoping for a successful outcome for you. Are you seeing dame surgeon ad Julielyn?

best of luck to you

need a pep talk. going on wednesday for first exchange and anxiety off the charts how are you doing?

Good luck to you. Hopefully Dr will give you sedation. Regular cataract surgery my doc gave me Ativan as I was nervous.

if i can do it anyone can... i have terrible anxiety too and they gave me a little injection and then it wasnt a big deal... just try not to think about it so much because it wont help the situation (easier said than done i know)

20/20 vision the best recovery ever!! seriously im very pleased with the whole experience

That's good to hear.

Julielyn:

You must be ecstatic over the results so far. I know it's early, but are the nighttime halos manageable for you?

thanks derek!! i am pleased with everything . ive only driven at night once so far, since the sun is setting later, i may not have time to test until my trip in june.

it just goes to show, that although a dr may do cataract surgery, they may not be good at cataract surgery. i believed the hype, its the most common surgery done...well doesn't mean they have perfected their craft.

having 20/20 vision with both eyes ( 20/25 out of left) one week after surgery is awesome!! this is how everyones surgery should go, especially if they are healthy patients

I couldn't agree with you more Julielyn. It is great to have positive results within a day or 2 when there are bo other wye health issues going on. Some people react to the drops more than others do and don't get their best vision to those are over - although I would think this would fluctuate where at times vision is good even if there ate times things are blurry.

What steps did you take to find this surgeon? I think it may be hard to get past marketing of some clinics and find out actual patient results.

So glad this has a happy ending for you. And happy the damage first surgeon did could be undone. Have you confronted that doctor since this surgery or taking any steps to recover lost funds?

I am so glad for you, my right eye has improved but I need the exchange as I have to use a magnifier to read on the right eye and can't see clearly further that 10 feet on that eye. So I am going to schedule an appointment with your doctors. Thanks for the update. I will post my results as well.

elizabeth which lens do you have?

SueAn, sight trust is the sister company to millenium laser that did my lasik back in 2001. i should have followed up and gone to them first, but i was quoted by an earlier optomotrist that it would cost @$10k us out of pocket, and the requirements for follow up check ups where not appealing. i chose the original dr because of proximity, and he siad he could do the job for a lot less...hind sight is truly 20:20 in my case

im working on sending letters of complaint to the surgical center, state medical board and the dr. my sister in law is a DO and will assist me in the process. i may call the attorney i spoke with before the exchanges, but he said he would need another expert in the field to appear in court. i do have videos of both surgeries and my follow up reports from sight trust . im hoping a letter with my progress reports would be enough for a refund ...going to court my cost more than what i can recoup is what the attorney was saying nicely.

LOL 20:20 hindsight - no pun intended.

Can so relate I did go down the whole legal route and know what you mean over a house once. I call it the legal system vs the justice system for obvious reasons.

It wouldn't hurt though to send a legal letter ti see if that would incite them to refund your money. And/or get the max small claims court would get you without incurring the legal fees. Bet Judge Judy would award you the refund plus pain and suffering. Seriously small claims might be the way to go.

At least you have a happy ending. Can't imagine what it's like to live with sub par vision all your life.

Good luck to you with whatever you decide.

He put Alcon Acrysoft Toric Aspheric UV absorbing IOL. What has been scary and disheartening is that now he is dismissive and says its my eyesight that suddenly changed. But I can almost see with my old glasses and that makes no sense. I just read that except for the night halos, everything is fine, I am so glad for you. How soon after the surgery were you able to travel? I am coming from Maryland.I am making an appointment tomorrow if they are open, if not, I will call Monday.

so are you undercorrected if you can almost see with old glasses? Have they done a refraction on that eye? What power do you need to see clearly?

for one week following surgery, as much rest as possible ( not difficult for the first few days, naps were essential---i hate anestesia). after the second week i can swim and dive and fly. i was driving around town by tuesday to run errands, surgery being on thursday

good luck to you, i hope you find the answers you are looking for

Yes that is what I hope. Thanks a lot. I am so tired of not being able to see with at least both eyes not fighting each other, limited distance eyesight, double vision, etc. Thanks for giving me information that will help so much!

I am not sure, I know using my progressive glasses, I can move them up and down and kind of see....The surgeon used Alcon Acrysoft Toric Aspheric UV absorbing IOL. During the surgery I heard he used 2 on one eye and 3 on the other, I was under so I am not sure which. I know my mono contacts used 2.0 for far on the left eye (the one that worked, probably the +2.00 IOL) and the contact for the right eye (the one that did not work) was +5.75, this eye I think may have received the 3 IOL, The problem is it is not working and I am not sure if the measurements were done right, I suspect they were not because I have been seeing blurry, letter merging and graffiti words. I am going for a second opinion. Very upsetting.....

I will tell you something, my husband has myopia

(- measurements) and I have astigmatism

(+ measurements) which is totally different, right? I tried his glasses and I can see perfectly far away on both eyes and for reading i still use some area of my old progressive lenses, no bunching letters, does that make sense? I made the appointment with Julienne's doctor, see him soon.

it almost sounds like your eyes are not working together which can cause the double vision on brightly lit objects. i choose distance vision but they missed my target by -.75, so, i still need a contact lens.

astigmatism usually stretches the vision. so that may be a cause of double vision. in my case, the multifocal lens was tilted and also not in the bag correctly, and caused a ghosting or shadow effect. i also have an astigmatism, but since the exchange surgery, the shadow/ghosting is gone...it now appears fuzzy/blurry all around the object. this is the best result i will have. now the astigmatism is most definitly within the cornea, since the incision has been opened several times ( 3 cataract surgeries in that eye + lasik flap from @20 years ago) . im happy with the results

Elizabeth have you been back to your optometrist? If you are able to see better using your husband's glasses sounds like some of your issues can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Astigmatism, refraction error can be corrected with those. Although most cataract surgeries get the power calculation right - some don't. If you haven't seen your optometrist for a refraction test it would be worth making an appointment.

Sounds a lot better after the exchange.

In a totally pitch black room white lettering on black background from TV or PVR I see slight highlighting around those letters. With light on that mostly goes away.

I am going for a second opinion, I need to know if the lenses are correct, neither eye can read and one can only see clear if I am close to what I want to see. I also see letters bunching up. I need to know. Thanks for your concern.

Both lenses are supposed to correct astigmatism, I am not sure why this is happening.

Great to go for a second opinion but still suggest you see an optometrist for an exact prescription (ophthalmologist is a different specialist from optometrist and there is a lot to tell from getting a precise prescription rather than trying various glasses on at pharmacies and borrowing from others. You really should see one before going for that 2nd opinion.

I should add that even if IOLs aren't correct power if your optometrist can correct your vision with glasses or contacts you'll know if it is astigmatism and power calculation that is causing the issue rather than something else.

First of all, thank you so much not only for your caring feedback but for patiently answering my questions, I really appreciate that. One thing you said at the end of your response is that the the 12 concentric rings are not as noticeable at night, does that mean you see them more during the daytime? Please explain, I am confused.

I am going to have my eyes checked for glasses first of all to see why my eye can use my husband's myopic prescription. My surgeon does not measure the eyes for glasses and did not do that before the surgery and routinely has a technician do it. This tech gave me the wrong prescription before so I would not rely on her. When I called to let him know where my eye is, he insisted on doing the yag procedure although he says that only might help. The office would not make an appointment for follow up unless I do the yag, makes no sense.

I am going to see an optometrist, I think what you said made sense. I was far sighted on both eyes before the surgery, now only my left eye can see street signs . I had a +2.0 prescription on the left eye and a +5.75 on the right eye which he claims is the strong eye for reading. But now I cannot read with either eye, what a mess! Thanks for taking the time to read and answer my messages. It pains me to realize he would not schedule a follow up visit and his office insisted I had to go for a yag procedure although he told me that may not help. Makes no sense, he insists its my eyes that changed overnight. I wondered about it until my last visit to my retina doctor that showed my retina was fine and I could read the eye chart better than the previous monthly visit. Its confusing, frustrating and scary...Thanks again, I am going today, lets see what is happening.

hi elizabeth, the rings are more visible at night looking at lights ( i rarely see them during the day unless i really look for them in water drops or something similar) i used to have glare and halo issues at night, starbursts as well. nighttime driving, wet pavement, and oncoming headlights would really effect my vision. now with the restor 3.0 lens that has 12 concentric rings, the starbursts are cut up, halos are not unified, but are seen as circles within circles. i prefer this vision at night. it is not perfect, but for me improvement. hope this clarifies 😃

Thanks, you are right, its best, with me no reading vision, no clear vision on the right eye or distance vision either on that eye and difficulty focusing because both eyes are not in sync its a nightmare...i have to check this. Thanks again.

Elizabeth if it were me I would be very hesitant to have the YAG done. I read SARATSOTA19610 comments this week where YAG tore her lens and caused all kinds of trouble. Not saying it isn't a necessary procedure for pco. But in my opinion is last resort. It does not appear by your comments pco is the culprit to your not seeing well.

Go see an independent optometrist and get a written prescription - it should tell you a lot about what is going on. If you line post prescription here and a number of us will weigh in.

So sorry for all the trouble you've experienced. But if your surgeon is pushing hard for YAG makes me wonder what he isn't telling you. Also once a YAG is done it's next to impossible to get lens exchange and that may be something you want to keep as an option open.

Hopefully you will get to the bottom of why you aren't able to see well.

elizabeth typically the cataract surgeon has nothing to do with prescribing glasses or contacts after surgery. i was released from my surgeon's care after 1 week and told to see my optomotrist in a month for a new contact lens in my surgical eye. i am certain with glasses or contacts you would have better vision. i would make an appt. today for a refraction.

interesting, during my follow up appointments, refractions were done to see the progress of healing. this wasnt done for you?

this was the exact comments from my first surgeon. " lets do yag, than you can have a lasik enhancement" in my case that was all bullsh* t as the new IOL brought me to 20/20 vision. obviously, each person is different, but getting another opinion without dialation wont necessarily give you straight answers . i not only had a lasik evaluation, but another optomotrist say the same thing...until dialtion was done, and it was clear there was a problem with the position of the lens!!

Moderator comment: I have edited this post due to the swearing. These are open forums so as per the T&Cs please do not use offensive language in posts otherwise they may be deleted.

Refraction test at surgeons consisted of reading chart on wall and handed a sheet to read (snellen test) but no machine that I looked through asking if this was better than that). No prescription - but was told to see optometrist at 6 weeks for refraction test as that is when healing had taken place. Prior to that small changes can still occur and it would be a waste of money to purchase glasses if needed at that time.

wow, i had all 3 reading tests done at both surgeons ...could be the difference between usa dr and canada dr ...idk

Was this your 2nd surgeon - one that did exchange? He may take extra care to ensure things were progressing for you given past surgeon's lack of care. Here in Canada our surgeons ate so busy - long wait time for surgery and when that day comes you are with 20 or so others and surgeries are back to back at the hospital. Typically they see you at 24 hours post op and that is it.

Yes likely it is a difference. When I injured my shoulder in Florida a couple of years ago was amazed how quickly I was seen and back on the resort! It would have been an all day or night affair here in Canada!

Sue An - I'm curious, how many times did you see your surgeon post-op in Canada? I saw my surgeon the day after surgery and at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and then at about 3 months and 6 months.

They did distance and close up testing each time and machine testing during several of the visits as well. I assumed this was typical. I'm actually well past due for my 12-month follow up now but he did say that I could skip it if everything was going well and just to call in if/when I had an issue.

^^"both surgeons"

Whether it is typical in larger provinces for here in New Brunswick saw my surgeon at 24 hours and 6 weeks. When I asked about further follow up or if I notice blurry vision or suspect pco he said to get a referral back to him through my optometrist. Although nice medicare for all it leaves a lot to be desired for seeing any specialist. I am on a wait list to see my dermatologist - been 2 1/2 years and supposed to see one yearly as I had skin cancer a while back. Been suffering from tinnitus and due to a snow storm and cancellation got to see ENT early but had a 13 month wait. Now waiting on a hearing test at the hospital and told 18 wait. Sad state our hospitals.

I have had same optometrist for 10 years and she has been very good. She diagnosed my cataracts and recommended this surgeon to me.

One good thing - they aren't motivated by money but there are so few specialists and so many patients there isn't the time for fuller conversations.

Thankful if one wants to they can search things online (not always a good thing) bit if you can weed out the ridiculous stuff there is some helpful tools.

Nice you get so much follow up and care but I do know that it is costly and not everyone can afford it.

No perfect system.

Appears there is more follow up in USA than here. I haven't had any issue or complaints so couldn't say what care there would be if something went wrong.

I agree, no system is perfect, but wow, those are some long wait times. I've heard stories about long waits for specialists in Canada but I always thought that meant a few months. at most. I didn't realize it was anything like that.

That would be a major adjustment for me. I needed to see a dermatologist a few months ago myself. I looked up providers in my area who take my insurance (on their website), read reviews, booked an appointment, had the visit, removed a few minor irritants from my skin, and got my biopsy results all in about two weeks from when I decided I wanted to go to a dermatologist.

Wow that is ideal. Ever since I had BCC (bassl cell carcinoma) removed I been conscious of having moles etc checked out. Not fun. I do my best to stay put of the sun or wear sunscreen. I had to be put under GA for that surgery - 19 stitches! So far no more have cropped up and first 5 years at risk 50% that more would come. Passed 5 year mark now.

Again if i were in Vancouver Montreal or Toronto maybe those wait times would be less but from what I read our system is not great country wide. My daughter's friend's aunt recently passed away in our hospital's emergency wait room. She wasn't triaged properly - should have been fast tracked. Died of kidney failure. 51 years old.

ironically, my first surgeon/opthologist had one day follow up, then proceeded to see me weekly with the first surgery ( first eye) saying "things may change" nothing ever changed...then after exchange, its like he dropped me. wanting to do yag then ship me off to his referred lasik dr. so i tried to make a lasik evaulation appointment after cataract surgery, and the receptionist seemed totally clueless. i repeated several times that i would need lasik enhancement, not original lasik after cataract surgery and she really didnt know how to "do that" when scheduling. i hung up and called sight trust and millenium laser right afterwards!!

average follow up here in usa is one day, one week, one month, unless complications. first surgeon did back to back surgery one week apart...second surgeon said when ever you want to/feel comfortable. im sure if i had horrible depth perception issues that may have been another story, but it was not.

as for this most recent procedure, since i had 20/20 vision ( reading...and i think 20/25 distance) dr said we dont need one month follow up

yippeeee!!!

Nice happy ending for you. How fortunate to get another surgeon who was able to correct what first surgeon did.

I too had goof vision within 24 hours of both surgeries. I know some don't until drops ate over. But I assume if due to the drops vision must fluctuate so that there are times it is good? If blurry all the time or other issues shouldn't that give pause for surgeon and patient to assess if something isn't right?

no, i only had a 24 hr. folllow up and a 1 week follow up. these were just reading the chart. no refraction until i saw my optometrist who is not affiliated with the surgeon.

yes me too. reading the chart is not a refraction, as you know.

reading chart is not the same as refraction. refraction s different lenses to look thru...better on worse...#1 or #2. your surgeon did that for each eye?

wow, not me. 1 day, 1 week and dismissed. told to see optometrist.

yes we did the distance chart, a chart in my hand. and then refraction at all visits after surgery

No I believe it what he thinks about what he does, which is he has done everything perfectly, and the only solution is doing yag procedure. I agree, I know its not the right thing unless its necessary and if I do it now, I will not be able to do an IOL exchange. He did not call back when I told him I wanted to find up if this IOL was working. So that's it. I am OK with that, if he does not care to find out, or be bothered, its not the right fit for me.

No he has a tech that has made mistakes with me and other patient. All he did is had her check my eyes with a chart and then he said I can try yag since I do not think glasses or contacts can help. The funny thing is that my old glasses (progressive help me read as they did before but they see blurry in the distance. And my husband's glasses work for distance. I was distraught, I felt he was dismissive and defensive as soon as I said this does not seem to be working, maybe the IOl is moved or something. He did not measure, send me for refraction or optometrist.....That is what I am doing in a few days. There are so few specialists in my area that do this. Lets see what I find out now and I may end doing another surgery, its not fair.

i would not do any other surgery until you have a refraction from an optomotrist. where are you located?

Elizabeth - I wholeheartedly agree with Hudsongrl - please seek put your own optometrist that you trust (one you've been with since before cataracts) for a complete refraction test.

In stronger language I would be very wary of anyone suggesting a YAG before you've had a refraction test. Likely all you need are glasses to see well (or contact lenses). It is standard to see an optometrist 6 weeks after cataract surgery and once a year. In a year my eyes changed - i used to have at 6 week check up astigmatism in both eyes. Now I have zero astigmatism in RE and increase of astigmatism in LE to .75

It is very important to see an optometrist.

Agree it depends on what the issue is. An optometrist (or at least a good one) will be able to find out if there is an error in power calculation and diagnose whether you have cataracts or another eye disease impacting vision and refer you to specialist.

In your case your original surgeon made an error - and worse suggested other procedures. If he knew and was covering for error who knows. But the fact you can see 20/20 have lens exchange is huge. Really hope you are compensated or at minimum refunded back what you paid to this surgeon. If lawyers think it would be hard case to prove I would take it to small claims and get what I could. He is either very incompetent or knew he'd made an error after re-examining your eyes and tried to cover up suggesting other procedures.

something is not correct for you, and getting a second opinion, not only from optomotrist, but also another cataract surgeon would be valuable. i would strongly suggest that the eye(s) be dialated to see if the lens is tilted or in the correct position.

remember my original surgeon said yag then lasik enhancement would be the next steps....i didnt agree that i would get the results we discussed ahead of surgery, and i had 3 opinions done. first was lasik evaluation, where she said we could fine tune only one: distance or near not both ( not what my original surgeon said, and he had a lasik background= which meant he was lying or truly uninformed) second was another cataract surgeon that also said lets do yag mid way through evaluation, but first lets dialate and finish the testing...once he dialated the eye, he discovered the lens was out of the bag and also at a tilt. the haptic was rubbing against the iris causing irriation which the original surgeon said was at the point of incision( more lying) and that should go away.

this surgeon had never seen nor operated on a out of the bag IOL, and wanted to wait 4 months to see how i progressed ( honestly nothing changed for the better, only got worse).

and lastly an opinion from the current surgeon. who not only has seen this problem before, but invented the tool to open a sealed bag. said that lens had to cone out and the sooner the better.

so my suggestion is, get as much feedback as you need to make an informed decision on what to do next. but have faith in those that dialated the eye, and have a excellent history of doing exchanges, if that is the road you will travel.

good luck to you, and please keep us informed 😃

I agree, and after reading your message my husband said, then we are doing the right thing. We had an appointment with a retina doctor who said the good news is that the retina is healthy after dilating my eyes and checking it with the most advanced instruments. Now we have an appointment with a good optometrist. Then we will see a surgeon and i will get back to you and let you know how things are going. It is scary, the eye seems to have healed but the problems are not going away, if anything they are worse...Thanks for taking the time to give me feedback.

I am going on monday, will let you know how that goes.

I am not sure but something is wrong. I am seeing an optometrist monday, will let you know what he says.

wish you nothing but the best. sure hope you can get some answers.

so glad you have an appt. next week! Keep us posted.

It was postponed to next Monday, I will surely let you know. Thanks for asking.

Hi Elizabeth - just checking into see how things went with your appointment earlier this week. Hope you got some answers.

Well I went to my retina doctor for treatment and he suggested I wait until eyelea helps and I am not sure but just in case I postponed my appointment to late next week.

What are "graffiti words" and letter merging? (I am having trouble with my new IOL, and I am being told my eye structures are weak.)