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Wavy line after Cataract surgery

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gloria42559
gloria42559

Hello,

After my dad had cataract surgery in one eye, he says he no longer sees objects in a straight line. They appear wavy. The doctor that performed the surgery gave him all kinds of eye drops to correct the issue, and nothing worked, and he told him he had to live with it. He is doing okay because his other eye makes up for the problem. We went to get another opinion, and the doctor recommended YAG laser for this, because he said that the focal point in the back of the eye is covered with tissue after the cataract surgery, and the laser will clean this up and the lense. After reading possible complications, I am terrified for him to do this. Has anyone had this issue I am describing? If so, what did you do about this? Thank you in advance for any advice!!!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Sue.An2
    Sue.An2 gloria42559

    Edited

    I would have him see a retina specialist first. I experienced seeing curving lines about a year after cataract surgery (one eye). Turns out I have Epiretinal Membrane. Can be brought on by cataract surgery. does your dad experience this in both eyes?

    • gloria42559
      gloria42559 Sue.An2

      Edited

      Hi Sue Ann,

      Thank you for replying. He did see a retinal specialist. We have only seen one so far about this issue and that is what he recommended. He did mention if the YAG laser was not successful he would recommend surgery to peel it off. He talked about a membrane, maybe that is what he called it. I don't remember him calling it by that name. But he said to do YAG first. How was your condition treated?

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 gloria42559

      Posted

      My condition involves the membrane and only solution is a vitrectomy. It is only recommend when vision is very poor and tour life is affected by it. I doubt a YAG would fix it at all. Did the retina specialist your dad see put a name to condition he has? As far as I know a YAG only recommended for PCO.

    • gloria42559
      gloria42559 Sue.An2

      Edited

      Thank you for letting me know. I looked up everything there is to know about Epiretinal Membrane and everything sounds exactly like what my dad has. I also researched YAG and he has none of the symptoms that would recommend him having one. The retinal specialist basically said that he wanted to give YAG a try to see if it did anything and then consider the surgery. They make it sound like it was so easy and nothing bad. They kept telling us it will take a few minutes and he will be okay. I just read that YAG compilations can be seen sometimes a year after and of course they won't take any blame for it. My dad manages because he has one good eye but it scared to do any cataract surgery in the other eye for fear that the same thing happens. He said he would go crazy if both eyes were like that. He does not want to do the YAG after we researched it and also, doubt like you said it will help any. Its the membrane that is causing the issue. I don't see how YAG could help.

      Are you considering doing the victrectomy?

    • Sue.An2
      Sue.An2 gloria42559

      Edited

      Hi Gloria - yes I doubt a YAG would fix your dad's problem. It really is a procedure to correct PCO. If he does have epiretinal membrane (and by the way cataract surgery can cause it) a simple scan will show it. I just saw a specialist 10 days ago and she showed me the live scan of it. She scanned both eyes and showed me how the healthy one looks. It was first diagnosed by my optometrist 20 months ago and she referred me to a specialist who will now follow me each year. Her recommendation was to hold off on the victrectomy as it carries quite a bit of risk. As long as I see fine with both eyes in her opinion I can wait and have it if vision deteriorates. There is no harm waiting to overall health of eye.

      I can understand his hesitancy to have surgery on other eye. But if it needs to be done for a cataract surgery will be inevitable for that. Maybe see another specialist for a consult?

      Sounds like he needs a proper diagnosis on what is going on with issue with membrane. Maybe start with optometrist as they do those scans as part of routine check up.

    • gloria42559
      gloria42559 Sue.An2

      Posted

      Hi Sue Ann,

      Thank you so much for advice. Wishing you all the best! Sending you prayers and good thoughts your way.

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