Retinal issues after cataract surgery

This is one reason I feel quite stupid. I don't know what kind of lenses. Only that they must be the most basic as they are only ones covered by my insurance. Is monovision one eye for distance and other for near? Multifocal I haven't a clue.

It's getting so bad that I find myself having to turn my head to get a different angle, so I can continue any close up task! Arghh!😡😡

Hi Janet,

3 weeks after cataract surgery I've developed a Macular Oedema in the operated eye. So now my excellent vision has gone and my central sight is blurry and distorted, I've been told it'll clear up on its own but no guarantee my vision will return to normal. I'm now very worried as I'm due to have my other eye done on the 5th July, the surgeon said he is going to inject a steroid into the eye to prevent it happening in that eye- I don't know if I should cancel the whole thing.

James - I assume it is same surgeon that is operating on 2nd eye ? Might be worth having another doctor or specialist take a look at your operated eye first.

You should have been given a card after cataract surgery to carry in your wallet - your lenses are indicated in that. Haven't had my surgery yet but that is what I have been told by others who've had it.

James, please, please go have 3rd, 4th or even 5th opinion before you decide on anything. 

I agree with beeper James - see another specialist. Do you live in large enough city that would have a few? If there are a few within same office as your current go outside that clinic/office to get independent opinion.

I've learned from this site that although these eye surgeries are so common and seemingly low risk, there are too many people who have had life altering outcomes. If there's an injection to prevent the MO, why isn't it routinely given?

I'm beginning to wonder if the eye surgeries really are as low risk, etc., or if this is just a bill of goods! Best of luck!

Hi Janet,

I know what you mean. Prior to my surgery on my right eye I was tols there was little risk, 98% of operations were successful etc.

After developing the Oedema I was then told this was common!!! Fortunately mine seems to have stabilised and is slightly affecting my reading, hears hoping they're correct and it improves over the coming months.

I wasn't given any pre-treatment before the op as I'd been assessed as low risk, it seems diabetic patients and the like are only deemed high risk. However I now qualify as 'high risk' since I've had inflammation following the first surgery and will get pre-treatment of eye drops and an injection on the day of the op.

I have read that most practises in the US use NSAID's prior to all cataract surgeries but in the NHS (UK) only high risk are considered, looks like a false economy to me.

Anyway I've spoken to a few people and since I have to get the surgery sooner or later I've decided to (apprehensively) go ahead with the surgery and pray that no complications arise.

If I understand correctly James you were given no drops to start a few days prior to your surgery on first eye? I am in Canada. Just filled my prescriptions yesterday. Have to start 2 kinds of drops (one is a steroid the other is antibiotic) 2 days prior and need to continue putting them in for a week following surgery.

Thought that was standard for all cataract surgeries.

Hi Sue,

I did not get any pre-treatment for my first surgery, in fact after the surgery I only got one set of drops (Maxitrol) which is a mixture of an antibiotic and a corticosteroid, I've since read that most practises give both a steroid and an NSAID after surgery. I didn't get any NSAID until after being diagnosed with the Oedema.

I'm assuming this is standard practice in the UK as there were 4 other people getting surgery on the same day and all got the same as me.

Just seems wrong. We have national healthcare too in Canada and it is standard to start drops before surgery. My surgeon asked that I start 2 days prior 4 drops from each bottle per day.

Didn't know they could mix the 2 drops in one bottle.

They aren't expensive . About $33 for one bottle and $24 for other. And that is Canadian pricing.

Hopefully you can insist on starting these prior to 2nd surgery. No one should be at risk

In USA also, the standard practice is to start with the NSAID drops and the antibiotic drops 4 times a day starting from 3 days before surgery, then add the Steroid drops after the surgery. All 3 drops are used 4 times a day for 7 days after the surgery. After that only the steroid drops are used, tapering off in 3 to 4 weeks (depending on the steroid brand and the doctor's preference).

Use of lubricating tear drops is also encouraged during this period.

If one does not like to use too many eye drops, one can also use eye drops which contain a combination of an NSAID, antibiotic, and a steroid.

hi Sue.An, they did give me two cards but it just gives the model number not what type of lens.  I googled it to check.  Also they did not tell me to carry it my wallet unlike the cardiac stents.  I

When you google model number does lens type come up?

Yes it did - that's how I knew I got the symfony toric lens

Hi Sue,

Yeah, I checked the UK prices of the eye drops Acular £5.32 and Maxitrol £2.56 for a months supply, considering the surgery cost is roughly £2,500 per eye it seems real penny pinching to me

sorry - tecnis symfony toric

My thoughts too. At very least even if they weren't willing to cover (Canada doesn't either but my private insurance through employer does cover) they should have recommended and given a prescription for you to fill.

Did you know lens before and discuss with surgeon? That is lens I will be getting (not toric though as I don't have astigmatism).

I recall having drops to instill prior to surgery. However, if I was scheduled for Lasik, all the drops began on surgery day.