TECNIS SYMFONY LENSES RECALLED BY FDA-ANYONE SUFFERED LOSS OF VISION
Posted , 28 users are following.
I am scheduled for cataract surgery on Nov. 30th, and the TECNIS Symfony lens (manufactured by Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.) is recommended. I am concerned because FDA issued a recall notice for these lenses on Sept. 21st of this year. (Recall #Z2857-2016, Event #75051) These lenses (about 737) were NOT properly checked prior to distribution. Has anyone had these lenses installed and needed corrective surgery or suffered loss of vision as a result of having the lenses installed.?
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susan00677 Eclecticlz
Posted
Just want to share my (unhappy) experience with Abbott ZXROO and ZLBOO IOL's. I believe they are known as Tecnis Symphony. I had the cataract surgery in April 2018 because I was having difficulty driving at night. I wore glasses for driving, computer, and reading. Otherwise I did not wear glasses for typical activities like cooking, eating, personal care, dressing, chatting with friends, gardening, gym, yoga, etc. I led a very active lifestyle. Had never heard of dry eye and had no eye complaints (except that my vision was getting worse and required frequent new glass prescriptions). Following the cataract surgery I lost all of my near and mid vision. I could not see to do the activities I just described. Many second opinions. Had 3 separate pairs of glasses made, none could improve my vision. I got very dizzy when I changed my focus (far to mid to near). I could not read or use computer, could not return to work. I became extremely anxious. I could not focus to look at people sitting near me. I had to stare at the floor or into space. It was like a horror show going on in my eyes, but unlike contact lenses I could not remove them. Horrible halos at night. Every light looks like a spaceship or ferris wheel coming at me. I cannot drive at night or in the rain. Ultimately, after 5 months I have had the left eye replaced with a monofocal lens. That helped some problems but created others. There was alot of pain following the IOL exchange. I am discussing exchanging the right lens to match the left. I also developed horrific dry eye. In summary, I am so sorry I had the original surgery, I should have just stopped driving at night. Have not been able to work in a year. Have filed for diability.
kay_61443 susan00677
Posted
the first one is a symfony but the second is a tecnis multifocal i believe. i have the artifacts you listed but not the near and mid vision issues. that is terrible. my first surgeon did a bad job on my right eye. I can only see well up close. Beyond a few feet everything s blurry and ghosted etc and i too was left with pco and nearsightednessi went to another one for left eye. it is much better but i still have those other problems. i too have developed dry eye.i was already afraid to have a lens exchange but after reading your horror story - i think i will just put up with all the artifacts which affect me even during the day but much less severely i think your surgeon may have been negligent i am so sorry.
Sue.An2 susan00677
Posted
Hi Susan0067 - so sorry to read your story. It must be very difficult dealing with all that on a daily basis. I developped cataracts both eyes at 53 - had trouble driving day and night. Could barely read road signs. Did still have near vision. Had both my surgeries in summer of 2018. It has worked out well for me with Symfony lenses and I feel like I can fully function at work.
If you did have surgery due to cataracts stopping driving at night would not have been a solution long term. My eyesight was deteriorating and I have read nowadays doctors don't want the cataract to get too dense. If vision worse than 20/40 ans affect vision they normally do recommend surgery to remove the natural lens and replace with an IOL.
If I understand your post you had 1 lens exchange to a monofocal lens - was that long ago? If both symfony and monofocal providing better vision there must be underlying reasons why. Has your doc sent you yo a retina/cornea specialist to take a look?
Really hope someone can help.
Guest susan00677
Posted
susan i would love to speak with you my story is identical to yours