cataract surgery and vision after, experience?

[masraum]

The missus had 20/40 vision in one eye, but was correctable with glasses to 20/20.

She was developing cataracts in that eye, but other than dim and less vibrant, the vision was still pretty good.

She then got a torn retina that was repaired via surgery. After the retina surgery the cataract got worse which is expected. She then had surgery for the cataract.

The day after the cataract surgery, she was seeing pretty well. She could read most of the 20/25 line. A week later, the vision in that eye was worse at about 20/50 which seems really weird.

The Dr said that she could have some inflammation (not obvious) due to having the two surgeries so close together (2 months apart), and put her on an extra NSAID to help prevent inflammation from being an issue, but said that otherwise the surgery and results look great.

She's got an astigmatism, and a lens to correct the astigmatism was discussed, but the Dr said that at her age, in the next 5-10 years, the astigmatism would probably change so it didn't make sense to try to correct that.

The Dr doesn't seem concerned that her vision was better the day after the surgery than it was a week after. He seems to think it's probably not an issue and is possibly due to the astigmatism.

All that we heard about before she got the surgery was how remarkable the improvement was after, but she hasn't experienced that. Her vision is brighter and colors are more vibrant, but lacking in the clarity that we'd expected based on everything that we'd heard.

Anyone have anything similar or any expertise? She's going back tomorrow for a 3 week post-op check.

[gchappel]

I also had retinal surgery with a epiretinal membrane peel. The epiretinal membrane caused my retina to wrinkle or pucker, including a macular pucker. I went from a correctable 20/20 to a best correctable 20/200 in a week. Scary. Post surgery I got about a 50% improvement immediately and over 2 years it has continued to improve. I am at about 20/30 on the chart, but about 20/60 close up vision. Everything is still a little wavy. I too developed a cataract rapidly after the first surgery. The cataract surgery went great- colors were terrific.
At least in my case I had different retina and cataract surgeons, they were subspecialized and did not do both. If that is the case, I would have your wife go back to both the retina and cataract guys to see what is going on. Post op edema is pretty common I am told, and can cause worsening vision. I am not an eye doc, but I did stay at a holiday inn express.
Good luck
Gary

[GH85Carrera]

My wife had both eyes done because of cataracts. She had worn glass or used contacts all her life until then. She now wears no corrective glasses. She Has pretty much perfect vision.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gchappel

I also had retinal surgery with a epiretinal membrane peel. The epiretinal membrane caused my retina to wrinkle or pucker, including a macular pucker. I went from a correctable 20/20 to a best correctable 20/200 in a week. Scary. Post surgery I got about a 50% improvement immediately and over 2 years it has continued to improve. I am at about 20/30 on the chart, but about 20/60 close up vision. Everything is still a little wavy. I too developed a cataract rapidly after the first surgery. The cataract surgery went great- colors were terrific.
At least in my case I had different retina and cataract surgeons, they were subspecialized and did not do both. If that is the case, I would have your wife go back to both the retina and cataract guys to see what is going on. Post op edema is pretty common I am told, and can cause worsening vision. I am not an eye doc, but I did stay at a holiday inn express.
Good luck
Gary

Thanks. If her vision hasn't improved today, I think a trip back to the retina Dr might be a good idea.

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My wife had both eyes done because of cataracts. She had worn glass or used contacts all her life until then. She now wears no corrective glasses. She Has pretty much perfect vision.

Not super helpful, that's what we had hoped, but it's not what happened, but thanks.

[BeyGon]

I got both eyes done about ten years ago, implants in both, my only problem was insurance would have paid for corrective surgery but paid nothing for the implants. I am still happy with them but you really have to wear sunglasses.

[masraum]

She had her 3-4 week post op check today. Her vision is back to around 20/30 almost 20/25 so there's been significant improvement. She's relieved.

[nota]

i was very nearsighted before the cats were cut out

near 20/20 now no glasses after nearly 20 years post the cutting

[mepstein]

Both my parents and my MIL had theirs done. They all wished they had done it sooner.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by nota

i was very nearsighted before the cats were cut out

near 20/20 now no glasses after nearly 20 years post the cutting

That's the kind of thing we heard from lots of folks. Unfortunately her experience wasn't quite as good, but it was still very good. Fortunately whatever the deal was a week after the op has gone away or mostly gone away. She's certainly better off than she was before the lens replacement