Problems with IOL?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Hi. I had an AcrySof monofocal set for distance implanted in my right eye a week ago. My distance vision has been crystal clear in that eye until yesterday and today. It seems to be getting worse. Distance is a little blurry now, in that eye, and I'm seeing double stoplights (green is really bad, red is OK). I feel like I need glasses. Kind of disappointed in spending $2K just to need glasses for distance a week later. Is this normal?

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  • Posted

    It doesn't sound normal to me. I'd go see your doctor. I wonder if the lens could have rotated.

    • Posted

      Thanks for this. Will see the doctor.

    • Posted

      AshMac did you go with Toric lens? They often rotate and that could account for the blurry vision. I think you should go for a follow up appointment and ask if that has happened.

      If it has they can rotate the lens or you can opt for lasik to correct.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply. Yes on toric. Went to surgeon today. He tested my vision. I couldn't read what I could directly after surgery. He told me that I am testing at 20/20. He said the lens didn't rotate and said all his machines and tests say the opposite of what I'm telling him, but he did listen and tested my retina to be sure, and it is ok. He said I am still healing, and may be experiencing the honeymoon factor where just after surgery everything looks awesome compared to what it was before with the cataract, but then the "wow factor" wears off and the patient starts critiquing it more because they are no longer comparing it to the cataract they had. He said to see my other eye doc in a month and see wear I'm at. He said I can come to him any time too. When they did that eye glasses test where they tell you what your prescription is, my vision got crisp and clear like I still need correction. He said it was only off .25 and that shouldn't make much of a difference. How can I be 20/20 and off by .25? And it seems to be quite a bit different than my vision 3 days ago. I don't know. Bummer.

    • Posted

      With dropless surgery does that mean you have no eye drops post surgery to administer? I was on them for about 6 weeks but didn't find they affected my vision - dry eye did a bit and vision would vary depending on time of day etc.

      Try not to worry at this point - healing takes 6 weeks and it is very normal for vision to fluctuate due to swelling etc. Not sure I buy the honeymoon comment though.

      Also you might recall from prior posts that during healing phase that IOL which is much thinner than natural lens 1mm vs 4mm will shift back and forth till it settles into a place and adhere to tissue permanently. That can account for power changing .25 either way. one of my eyes settled at plano dead on and the other is off .25. Both eyes open I don't notice. At least not till recently as I think I have pco developing.

    • Posted

      Yep, I needed not one single drop. Not sure about the honeymoon comment either. I think I'm going to end up needing glasses. But I tell myself the $2,000 extra for the premium lens is still worth it, because even if it is off a bit at least I'm not blind without my glasses like I would have been. If my distance was as bad as my near vision that would not be fun to say the least. What is PCO?

    • Posted

      I'm glad to hear your IOL didn't rotate. I think you made a good choice getting the Toric lens. A friend of mine didn't get the Toric monofocal and he is blurry at all distances. There are a number of factors that affect where one's vision will ultimately end up so I think it's difficult to not have a slight error. I don't know what my prescription is, but my vision is 20/25. I can still see great in the distance though. Pretty sure as my eye has settled though, my near vision has gotten a little worse. The +2 readers I bought after surgery were a little strong, but now they seem just right. I'm 3.5 weeks out.

    • Posted

      Sorry to hear you may have PCO SueAn. Hoping that's not the case. Have you been to the doctor?

    • Posted

      Thanks. no haven't seen my optometrist. was there in January and all was fine, i think u want to hold off as long as possible. Both eyes open all is good but definitely things all distances are blurry in LE. I haven't seen many positive reports on laser treatment for it so a little reluctant. Lot going on now to with daughter graduating high school and heading off to university.

  • Posted

    You should have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon asap. Although it takes at least six weeks for vision to settle, what you're experiencing doesn't sound normal to me. I'll add that the majority of people who have cataract surgery end up needing glasses, either for reading or distance depending on the lens that was chosen. And I would not spend money on glasses until eight weeks have passed. Good luck!

    • Posted

      Thank you. Seeing the doctor today. Thanks also for the recommendation on glasses.

  • Posted

    Can a rotated IOL be fixed?

    • Posted

      I searched on google and it seems possible to be rotated back early on. I am just over 3 weeks out and have had only very slight changes to my vision if at all. I purchased Snellen and Jaegar charts in advance. (Unfortunately I misplaced the Jaegar chart). My distance is about the same since a few days post surgery. My reading may be slightly worse. It makes sense to have slight changes as the eye heals and settles, but not what you are encountering.

      Regardless, I've learned from others on this forum to not let a doctor do a YAG procedure if there is a chance the lens has to be replaced.

      Also there could be something else going on, but I'm very glad you are seeing the doctor today. Good luck!

    • Posted

      ***Repost - I must have messed something up in the formatting and I'm only seeing part of my response. Here it is again in case it didn't come across. Sorry! ***

      I searched on google and it seems possible to be rotated back early on. I am just over 3 weeks out and have had only very slight changes to my vision if at all. I purchased Snellen and Jaegar charts in advance. (Unfortunately I misplaced the Jaegar chart). My distance is about the same since a few days post surgery. My reading may be slightly worse. It makes sense to have slight changes as the eye heals and settles, but not what you are encountering.

      Regardless, I've learned from others on this forum to not let a doctor do a YAG procedure if there is a chance the lens has to be replaced.

      Also there could be something else going on, but I'm very glad you are seeing the doctor today. Good luck!

    • Posted

      Thank you. Yes, I don't want lasers on my eye for sure. I am going to be super bummed if I have to wear distance glasses after I go to my regular doctor next month. Not because I have a problem wearing glasses but because I spent $2,000 for a premium lens that I had hoped would give me frameless distance.

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