Vision declined in one eye 14 months after cataract surgery

Hi

Sorry to hear that.

I really don´t know, from 20/20 to 20/90 sounds kind of drastic.

I know that Posterior Vitreous Detachment can give sudden blurry vision, in most cases PVD does not require any intervention and will settle as time goes by, but I guess there are many other things that could be wrong.

In any case I wish you the best of luck! 😃

have u been checked for PCO? since the lenses are toric, while unlikely also check for lens rotation. good luck and let us know what they find.

Did the vision decline in one day or over a longer period?

It could simply be PCO and YAG will fix it.

Either way get it checked.

Hi Claire,

Sorry to hear that you have a sudden visual loss and ocular discomfort. The possibilities are many, only a few of which (if any) could be related to the IOL you have. Retinal artery occlusion, acute angle glaucoma, ocular migraine, corneal issues (abrasian, keratitis), hypopion, anterior chamber issues, endophthalmitis...it's a long list and it's not worth going through them all because the ophthalmologist should narrow it down rapidly to what is relevant to you.

This forum is a huge help to people struggling with difficult decisions (I'm one of them!), but as far as I've seen, nobody here is an eye doctor and so you're doing the right thing by getting an urgent appointment with an ophthalmologist (not an optometrist or mid-level provider).

Speaking very generally, the ophthalmologist should take a thorough history (give them all the details about timing and what exactly the visual aberration is, as well as any relevant family history, travel, trauma, new medications, lifestyle changes, etc.). Then s/he should do a thorough exam, including measuring visual acuity, visual fields, and pressure, and doing a slit lamp exam. Depending on what that shows, s/he may dilate your pupil to look better at your retina. Once s/he tells you what they think it is, ask all the questions you need to know exactly how to proceed and how to follow up. Make sure you can get back in touch with that doctor if you have questions later, say by email.

My quick minimally-informed thoughts:

PCO is a gradual process, so I wouldn't expect a sudden drop off. PVD can be sudden (mine was in one eye), and from what I've heard may result in new floaters but they should move. They may obstruct vision, but again, they should move.

Retinal detachment causes white flashing lights like lightning, and/or dark shadows that do not move.

Retinal artery occlusion or stroke can cause a dark shade to come down or come in from the side.

Corneal abrasion causes pain, as do most other corneal problems.

Again, I'm super glad you're seeing the ophthalmologist in a few hours: that's the most important thing you can do. If you have any glitches in getting there or something happens and they can't see you, go to a hospital with a full service Emergency Department and they will call in an ophthalmologist if it's emergent.

You've gotten enough suggestions from the kind people who have already responded, but do let us know what they tell you this afternoon!

I think you have taken right course of action by seeing your doctor. There may be a number of things causing blurry vision and it's best to seek out a professional opinion. Let us know how that appointment goes.

It turned out to be a corneal abrasion. I must have scratched myself in my sleep.

It must have been shallow because it healed up very quickly, and wasn't really painful. And since it was in the center of my eye, it affected my vision a lot (unlike other scratches I've had, that did not affect my vision at all). My vision went back to normal overnight, and the doctor could not see the scratch the next day.

So, a scary episode with a quick resolution and a happy ending. Thank you all for your comments and support !!!