[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