topic Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery in Wellness

Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:57:35 GMT

Hi all. I recently had cataract surgery on both eyes. Toric lens in right eye 14 Jan 2016 (detached Retina 17 March 2015) and 21 Jan 2016 had a reg lens in the left eye. My surgeon said my healing is ahead of schedule and said I will only need OTC readers. My vision is crystal clear from about 2 ft to 6 ft or so then becomes slightly blurred. When I'm outside everything looks good so I'm wondering if some of this is dependant on the light source. I go back to see the Retina Specialist 2 Feb and the Cataract specilaist 15 Feb. I know everyone heals differently so my question is Did anyone here continue to see improvement in their vision for several weeks. I've been wearing glasses for 50+ yrs so the idea that I wouldnt need them sounds great but at this point I feel I may still need them. Sorry for the long post:-)

TIA Teddy

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Alajane — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:30:25 GMT

Teddy, I'm happy to hear of your good progress and will be watching for answers along with you. My husband goes to a surgeon in a couple of weeks to discuss cataract surgery on both eyes, so when I saw this thread, I immediately opened to see what info anyone had.

Congratulations on your good results.

Jane

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

violann — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:32:23 GMT

I wore prism trifocals for 30 years and now, after cataract surgeries and correction of my crossed eye, I use only 1.00 or 1.25 OTC readers.

I had severe double vision before the third surgery and because of THAT, I have only plain lenses in my eyes, no correction, but my vision is like a miracle to me.

Hope your vision is just what you are hoping, even if a little tweaking is needed.

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Leelynn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:39:18 GMT

Hi Teddy,

I've had retinal tears and laser to both eyes about 10 years ago. Cataract surgery on my right eye this past summer. Like you, I've had glasses (thick glasses) since the thrid grade so cataracts were a blessing to me. I just went to the eye doc this past week and my vision is excellent in my right eye post cataract. I have a small one in the left eye that they will remove sometime this year. Still need a contact for distance correction in my left eye. My vision is always obstructed by all the junk floating aroud due to the retina issues. My personal experience with cataract surgery has been great and no correction needed in my right eye. I'm seeing 20/20. I hope you experience the same!

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

sfnative — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:44:10 GMT

@Teddy55

In reading through your post, noticed the dates and they seem to refer to last year, as we haven't reached February or March of 2016.

If you had the surgery in 2015, can you provide an update, as I'll be having cataract surgery next week.

Thanks.

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Hooty — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:45:35 GMT

I just had cataract surgery left eye- 12/14/15 and right eye 1/11/2016. My surgery on my right eye was perfect, but unfortunately, because of a retinal tear in my left eye about 15 yrs. ago, I have some cloudiness, and I may require some additional surgery! The doctor told me that my vision would never be as good in my left eye as my right, but with the two together, my vision should ok! I go back in 4 mos. to see how my left eye is doing to see if I will require more surgery!

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:59:37 GMT

I corrected the dates in the orignial post. Sorry for the confusion xx

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:32:45 GMT

Hooty,

I'm in Huntsville, AL. I had a partial Detachment last March in my Right eye. Surgery to repair it involved the gas bubble. Recovery went well til the 3 month mark and my vision became increasingly cloudy since the cataracts had grown quickly.....really had no choice but to move forward with the surgery.

I have heard also that at some point a laser treatment (in office) is needed to clear the cloudiness of the implant. Our neighbor who is in his mid 40's recently had cataract surgery and 6 months later had to have the laser treatment b/c of cloudiness

Just feeling a little frustrated since Dr seems to think all I will need is readers but my vision is still blurry...I need to be more patient :-)

Teddy

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Hooty — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:17:52 GMT

@Teddy55, nice to meet you ......... I am in Montgomery!

Back when I had my retinal tear, I had laser to repair, the first time it didn't take, fluid got underneath, and had to have it done again, but since then, never had any problems since then. I am not surprised about this, but I too am very disappointed, I just hope I don't have to surgery again in 4 mos.! Best of luck to you!

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

hckynutjohn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:34:02 GMT

I wore bifocals for many years and then graduated to trifocals for 15 years. Had a MultiFocal iol put in my Left eye first/then a MonoFocal iol put in my Right eye.

Haven't needed glasses since, not even for the small print on my prescription bottles. Didn't consider the time after surgeries as "recovery time". To me the 4 times a day eye drops I considered more as a "pain in the butt" than a recovery.

You @Teddy55 had anything but a routine cataract surgeries. I am happy you are getting there.

hckynut(john)

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:31:22 GMT

hckynutjohn,

Yes the eye drops are a pain. I also had an additional drop for increased pressure for a week. Tomorrow I decrease to 1 drop in the Right eye for another week. One more week of 4 drops still in the Left.

The worst part of ALL of this is that my dear mom passed away the morning of my emergency surgery to repair my detached retina:-( I had gone to the nursing home for a visit before my eye appt....held her hand while she took her final breath....my appt showed my retina had begun to detach so I had emergency surgery that day...

My mom lived w/us for 5 yrs and during that time she also had cataract surgery AND surgery to repair a detached retina...I now see the surgeon I took my mom to....so many reminders

It has been a rough 10 months to say the least.....

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

millieshops — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 22:02:02 GMT

My understanding about the surgery is that the eye does improve over several weeks. At least my surgeon didn't want me to change my glasses until at least 6 weeks had passed.

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Alajane — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 23:00:41 GMT

Teddy and hooty, glad to "meet" you guys--I'm in the Muscle Shoals/Florence area. I'm so sorry you had to have surgery on the day your mom passed--how traumatic!

Jane

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 00:03:53 GMT

Thanks millieshops!! I had done lots of research and my Dr is also confident that I will just need readers so I need to relax and take one day at a time :-)

Teddy

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 00:11:55 GMT

Hi Alajane, yes it was and continues to be such a sad time...everything I did every decision I made revolved around mom for the past 8 1/2 yrs.....I find it so ironic that the day I am no longer a caregiver I am the one needing care :-/

Grateful for my wonderful husband of 41 years <3

I will feel more better after seeing the Retina specilaist next Tuesday

Roll Tide or War Eagle......it's all good :-)

Teddy

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

spix — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 01:30:01 GMT

@Teddy55, I've had surgery in both eyes, I have the mono-vision, so don't need glasses for anything, it's like a miracle

But to your question, many of my friends have had that waiting time, & it worked for all of them, eyes slowly became better & better, so hang in there, Good Luck

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 03:31:25 GMT

Thanks spix...appreciate the encouragement :-)

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

sophiamarie — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 21:35:31 GMT

@Teddy55 Hi there. I hope all goes well with your next appointment.

I, too, had both cataracts done in Sept. 2014, two weeks apart. My doctor gave me lenses for distance and told me I "might" just need readers. I absolutely needed readers and in case you don't know this, you can get them at the Dollar Tree if you have one nearby. I have 15 prs. all around my house in different "powers"....

Unlike you, I need 300 for reading, 250 for computer use and 120 for reading the small print on the TV. It's a PITA going to the grocery because I need different glasses for walking around, looking at prices, reading labels, etc...... I went back to him Wednesday for an eye exam for "real glasses" and he said I should have Progressives..... I can't wait to get them. I don't need glasses to drive or walk around the house....

I see you live in Huntsville. By any chance, have you ever heard of Dr. Jim Byrne (a Retina specialist)??????

Again, good luck with your future appts. and keep us informed......

ETA: I forgot to mention, I also had the YAG laser treatment in both eyes (a month apart) within the last few months. I can finally see clearly now and my vision will never change... (or so they tell me)......

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

Teddy55 — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:02:24 GMT

Hi Sophiamarie,

When the optometrist sent me to the Retina Center I saw Dr Byrne. One of the other Retina specialist that was on call performed the surgery but now for follow ups I go to Dr Ready. He was also my mom's surgeon/Dr.

Today starts the 1 week of the Pred 2x a day. Still 3 drops in the left for another week

In the morning before I put any drops in I can see the tv and print pretty well. As I put the drops in and later in the day my distance vision becomes more blurred.

Yes, I picked up a pkg of 4 reading glasses at Sams for 19.99. I purchased the 1.25 and they are sufficient for reading etc. I tried various strengths and all distance looked blurry through them. Will check out the ones at the Dollar Tree in Madison that I go to.

Looking forward to my appt on Tues....fingers crossed I get a good report and my vision continues to improve. Will update after the appt

Re: Recovery from Cataract Sugery

sophiamarie — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:19:59 GMT

@Teddy55 Thanks for getting back so quickly. I also bought my first 4- pack at Publix for $20..... Then, I was in Dollar Tree one day and spied the glasses... I went to town. LOL

Imagine, getting all these glasses for $1????? I got exactly the same glasses as the ones at Publix. I mean EXACTLY. The writing and all is the same. One pair is RayBan and one is Foster Grant. I really went to town but it is a PITA as I said. Glasses all over the house. Not convenient at all.... I really need Progressives, especially when I'm shopping.

You will do a lot better after the drops are over and your sight comes back to normal. You do know that as the day progresses, your eyes get tired and your vision changes. Nothing to worry about. That's a normal thing. I also find that when I put drops in my eyes at night, they seem to have crystalilzed during the night and there is all this crustiness in my lashes in the morning. Oh well - it's a small price to pay....

Keep in touch. I'll be thinking about you and waiting for a report on Tuesday.....