Frustrated - Cataract Surgery

[sandy50]

I had cataract surgery on my left eye on Feb. 19.  Since the morning after the surgery, I see part of the new lens (from 4 to 10 if looking at a clock) and am seeing what looks like looking through water below and at the lens line and it appears to me that the lens quivers.  My doctor initially told me to give it a few days and it will go away.  She also told me that my brain will eventually learn to ignore seeing the lens.  I told her at my last appointment how annoying and distracting this is.  She said that she has never heard of what I am describing - (seeing what looks like water and quivering of the lens).  

I had the cataract removed because of double vision in that eye.  My double vision has not been cured.  

I went to get a second opinion from another doctor who told me that I have an opacification and need laser surgery.  This doctor wants to refer me to a neuro opthalomologist.  

When I saw the doctor who performed my surgery last week for new glasses, she didn't tell me anything about having an opacification and needing laser surgery.  She wants to refer me to a retina specialist for the double vision.  

Can an opacification cause the symptoms I have described.  I'm going crazy!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[seriousperson]

Is the implanted lens a crystalens? I have 2 different lens implants and often see the edge of the crystalens. My understanding is that it is caused by the lens being smaller than the pupil.
I'm guessing that the double vision and other symptoms are probably not related to seeing the edge of the lens.
About the posterior capsular opacification: This seems to be the thing that ophthalmologists first want to go for when there are complaints post-cataract surgery. My unprofessional opinion is that it's rarely the root of the problem.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes the membrane can be cloudy from the moment the cataract is removed and the implant put in.  Taking an IOL out is a bigger operation than putting it in the first place. Don't be to hasty. See the neuroophthalmologist and run all this by him/her. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH III MD

[sandy50]

I have been told that the lens is fixed and not shaking, but that is not what I am seeing.  The doctor I saw for a second opinion told me I have an opacification and will need laser surgery.  Can you have an opacification immediately after surgery?  I've been seeing this since the morning after I took the eye patch off.

At this point, I want the lens to be removed and replaced with a new lens.  What are the risks?  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

In order of importance is finding out if your IOL has dislocated. That should be easy to tell from an examination. Same if its not fixated well and is shaking (pseucophacodonesis).

Then its important to know if your posterior capsule is opaque or not. Again this really isn't difficult to do.

If you have a medical scholl nearby it may be worthwhile to make an appointment with one of their cataract/cornea specialists for a fresh look at the problem.

JCH III MD