Surgery made eyes worse

RLE. I’m not familiar with these terms. I’m sorry. I guess I went in without asking questions. I left everything up to the drs. In fact the drs explained nothing to me . I freaked out when they started because I didn’t know what to expect. 2nd eye, I was fine. I had surgery on one eye November 22nd. Second eye November 29th. I was sent to specialist afterwards due to a lot of swelling after not getting better in about a month. I also am a rhumitiod arthritis sufferer . My RA dr. Thinks a lot is related to having RA. But the specialist and optometrist doesn’t seem to worry. Specialist released me to have glasses for driving,watching tv, bifocals for reading ( which I refused) was in bifocals, never did learn to use them. I do great with reading glasses. But WHY am I requiring reading glasses when before surgery I was reading fine. I just feel they butchered my eyes up. So many regrets for not researching and asking questions before under going this surgery. Thanks. And again I’m sorry I don’t know a lot of what people are asking me.

Yes it was due to cataracts.,under Medicare. Mam I have tried to ask questions, I just got blew off.  My questions didn’t seem to be important. I went in because of having to take a lot of RA meds im suppose to have eyes examined every 6 months. I waited almost 3 years. I know stupid on my part. The only reason then for going in was due to one eye at times would be seeing things as if I were wearing sunglasses, the other normal. Still having a slight issue with that also. Optometrist said both eyes are full of cataracts I won’t prescribe any glasses. End of it. He made appointment with surgeon at said time to have this done.1st few weeks after surgery eyes were great. Then I noticed I could no longer see road signs, an excessive amount of pain , eyes felt as if I had put contact lenses in wrong. Dr. Said dry eyes. Eye drops didn’t and haven’t as of yet completely relieved this problem. Severe pain in eyes at times. Still an issue. I ask questions, all I get is eyes are seeing better. I’m like no they’re not. Dr walks off. I have a friend that teaches R.N. Classes. Told me to give it 6 months if no better consult another optometrist. With Medicare I do/ did have to pay a percentage.if when 6 month period is up,and no improvement I will pay full price if necessary. My eyes are nothing to play with. I’m really worried also because I had a great grandmother that was blind. No doctors in those days, so no reason is known.also I had no knowledge that I had an option in anything. I didn’t ask questions. They provided me with no information as to what to expect or anything. I tried finding out by way of computer. I’m just upset and stressed over this issue. Also during exam for glasses I was seeing double,dr. Said oh just blink a few times. I just feel I made a mistake in drs. My fault, because I asked no one for recommendations.thanks for helping me understand about the distance in my new lenses and why I was needing readers. Information VERY VERY helpful. Thanks again. I’m 4 months out and finally understanding a few things. Thanks to this site and its members. 

So sorry Debra - doesn’t sound like your doctor has been helpful at all.  Have you considered getting a 2nd opinion?  If it were me I don’t think I would wait 6 months to see if things are better.

Aside from the drops for dry eyes were you given drops to use after surgery?  I had to use an antibiotic drop and steroid drop for several weeks following surgery as well as drops for dry eyes which I am still taking as needed.

The good news is you were able to see initially so there must be something g else going on that prevents you vision from being clear.

It could be that you’v Developed PCO (sometimes called a second cataract).  This can happen with days ie weeks, months or years after cataract surgery.  The back of the capsule behind you IOLs becomes cloudy and you start to see things hazy almost like when you had cataracts.  A simple laser procedure can clear this up.  But first you need a doctor that will answer your questions- we are all patients like you in this forum and can offer suggestions but you definitely should demand your doctor explain why you can’t see clearly now.  Is there someone that could go with you to support you - so your doctor doesn’t blow this off?  I would also advise seeking out someone else.

Good luck to you Debra - hoping you find a kind doctor willing to work through this.

I was given steroid drops from the optometrist and the eye specialist. Maybe 4 different prescriptions. Using eye drops today only for dry eye. My eyes are blurred, hurting,feeling like pins sticking in my left eye especially. It’s actually my worst eye going in. I have had lazy eye for many years with this eye. I’m dealing with the little spots like crazy. Specialist said using computer, watching tv. Wasn’t an issue. I beg to differ. I’m limited today to my use due to the strain. I think I’m gonna wait til my glasses arrive in 7 days, keep pouring the drops in my eyes and after that time I think it will be time to consult another dr.thanks so much for the information. I will update in a few weeks to where I’m at with these issues. God bless .

Hi strunkzeke - what type of lenses did you have implanted?  Thinking monofocals targeted for distance.   Some people do get some intermediate vision with those but some don’t. As it has been since January perhaps a visit to your optometrist would be good to get your exact prescription now post surgery.  6 weeks after surgery eyes are pretty much settled and an optometrist can give you a prescription.  You can either get 2 pairs (one for computer distance and separate pair for reading or a bifocals/progressives for viewing both intermediate and near.  If you do a lot of computer work it might be beneficial to have s pair just for that distance.  Prior to cataract surgery I was just starting to need small prescription for reading but I always needed distance glasses.  I didn’t care a lot for progressive glasses but optometrist said I would get used to them but then by my next appointment 18 months later I was diagnosed with cataracts and had my surgeries July and August 2017.

Best wishes to you.

Thanks Sue.An, I realize that I am going to need glasses, just frustrating since I could see up close fine before, distance was a problem but I do not drive much, have GPS and never at night,  

The same with me. I could see fine up close. I had bifocals in my former glasses but removed my glasses to read and see up close. Distance was always my issue and glare at night. Only good thing I see with my surgery is night glare isn’t an issue now. Just stressed and aggravated with my situation. Think I consult another specialist.  I hope your situation is cleared up soon. I had my surgery in November. Wow the next day I felt like a new person. I could see a dime a mile away. Then a few weeks later I noticed I couldn’t see road signs any more and a lot of things just going crazy with my eyes. Optometrist insisted it was dry eye from the beginning. I finally had to just about yell this is no dry eye. Then he did test and discovered I had something wrong. Something I can’t begin to pronounce. But explained in his few words it was a very intense swelling behind my eyes and then finally sent me to specialist. I’m tired. It’s time to get some real answers. I pray you get your issues resolved also. I’ll check back in a few weeks with an update on what’s going on. Thanks everyone for responding,