How Do I move on after cataract surgery?

[lorac0813]

Hello everyone, I am very much regretting getting cataract surgery done and am concerned what my vision will be like for the rest of my life. I am waking up with anxiety attacks in the middle of the night ever since getting this done, and it's ALL I can think about. I know it's early days yet (got this done in April) and know that I would have had to get it done irregardless in a few years (early onset and getting worse) - but still. I'm only 52! Why did no one bother to inform me about the side effects? i.e. dry irritated days, edge glare, trouble focusing my eyes on anything for more than a few seconds, and light sensitivity. It's like wearing a really irritating pair of contact lenses every day, except that you can't take the lenses out to get some relief! Will my eyes ever feel "normal" again? Some help, please, or suggestions about how I can move on....I just don't know what to do and I panic every day I wake up and realize I don't have my own lenses anymore. Thanks.

[light show]

Hi Ellen
We merely wish an educated answer from the highly skilled medical professionals we rely on for help.  Just some acknowledgement that, yes, outcomes can present visual obstacles.  
I tred very cautiously but persistently to achieve my diagnosis...and it wasn't easy. I didn't want to be 'fired'.  I can't believe you were.  And in NO WAY was I out to find fault with the surgeons skills.  I believe my surgeries went well. I felt that my post surgical care/counsel was poor.  The surgeons job is done ... I realize this.  But the very evident 'push' to get you off their docket and out the door is terrible.  I know our health system is under a tremendous strain....the doctors are in huge demand and stressed and we the patients are taking the hit.  
One simple acknowledgement of our conditions would have us set to adapt to  our new visual lives.  
Stay in touch with the forum and thank you for contacting me/us.

[lorac0813]

Hi EllenLee, I am very sorry to hear that you are having such problems! Yes, it is very frustrating but I am SO thankful to have found this forum, it's been very enlightening. Have the doctors on this forum been able to help you? They are a godsend.

Hopefully you can find another surgeon who will be willing to help you. Until then, I guess we just have to live with it...but that being said, we shouldn't HAVE to just "live with it", should we! I will consider some surgical options down the road if my problems persist, but I am going to give it some time first. Better seeing days indeed! Good luck!

[EllenLee]

I can certainly relate to LigthSnow also.  Having a doctor acknowledge a problem?

I just learned that I was black balled from ever returning to the group that did left eye cataract surgery, when I tried contacting them again.  No one would listen to my on going complaints. I feel your pain and frustration.  I am seventy and my life has taken quite a jolt. Can you believe I was fired!  I had no intentions of returning to those Lasix doctors but I did have questions that needed and should of been addressed yet they have not replied to me.  

Wishing everyone better seeing days.

[light show]

The burning in both eyes feels like I've been out in the sun and wind far too long. They feel inflamed though don't appear that way...sometimes just puffy looking. I often wish I could just pop my eyes out into a bowl of ice water for some relief.  Does this sound soothing to you?  Perhaps an eye dropper with a chilled saline solution would help for a short time.  Closing my eyes to rest them for 20-30 minutes is best.

I'm not at all confident with night driving. I would like to think my new glasses will help me with night driving ... but, to be honest, I'm not very optimistic.  Headlights (especially halogen), street lights, flourescent lighting....any bright or glowing type light affects my vision....'glowing' light seems to pierce it's way even through my sunglasses. I'm trying a dark brown tint on my new sunglasses...the blue/gray isn't working ...the brown seems to tone things down somewhat. Gray skies, snow, reflected light...well, I could just go on and on.  I have resigned myself to not driving at night .... unless I'm a passenger, of course.  I'm loving our longer days right now but pending shorter days and winter can put me into an emotional slump.

When one has had a very independent life, relying on others isn't always easy to accept.

I cannot figure out our doctors/surgeons and their vague responses.  If we know there can be visual differences and handicaps then I can't believe they don't. They can still retain their reputations as successful surgeons.  No one can predict how an individual responds to an artificial implant.

Have you read any publications by Randall J. Olson from the University of Utah?  Apparently he is the guru of dysphotopsia and associated lighting problems in patients.
Try Googling his name.

The iol replacement surgery did correct the 'blur blob' in the left eye...which was causing the high aberrations.  The aberrations were reduced by half according to the corneal topography.  I now have thin glowing rings when night lighting reflects off the new lens.
The surgeon  said he should be able to provide some measure of comfort and that is what I have and I'm happy to be rid of the 'blur blob'.  Would I do it again ... hmmm, hard to answer that question. It's personal choice ultimately ... I tried this option and did receive 'some measure of comfort'. I know I will not risk any further surgeries(unless an emergency) on my eyes.  

I waited a long time to get to a highly specialized surgeon and have tried to remain proactive in my pursuit of answers to what I was suffering for the past two years..  I endeavored to maintain a calm but persistent quest.  After my last check-up with the surgeon, I cried for the first time but not for long.  I was hoping for some relief from this problem.  However, I am very, very, very thankful for vision I have ... it was pretty scary and frustrating losing it to cataracts. And seeing a number of pretty awful circumstances in waiting rooms you just remember to count your blessings.

I have not been able to return to the job I had for the past 15+ years due to the nature of my work.  I'm hoping to find something eventually that will not require much computer work and avoid certain lighting conditions.  As things stand right now, I would not be a very reliable employee....sunglasses, headaches, eye rests...I wouldn't expect an employer hire me on with these conditions...hahaha

Leaving my job due to advanced cataracts was one of the hardest times...still is.  We often don't realize how much our careers mean to us until they are taken away.  I really enjoyed my job (most of the time) .

We are young to have this affliction.  The average age for cataracts is 76 years.  I met a women, a school teacher, 36 years of age that had bilateral cataract surgery....apparently cataract numbers a climbing in the young to mid age groups.

OUr older friends are less likely to complain about lighting issues because they are not living our lives.  I have spoken to some srs. in waiting rooms and hear their stories.

Yes, this life adventure has taken a toll on us.  I've squinted so much I've increased my 'character folds and creases' tenfold.  I just try to keep in mind the old adage ' life is a state of mind'.

Please keep in touch.  Diamond Eyes was the first to contact me in response to my desperate posting....she has been and still is a wonderful source of support.  
JodiJ has been a constant and informative source of support to many, many members.

I'm going to add you as a 'friend' .  Click on people and add yourself if you wish to send messages directly to a particular contact. Sometimes searching through the general forum in daunting.

Hope to hear from you soon.

[indi1664]

Hi,
      photochromic lenses are basically like polaroid sunglassses ...they darken depending on the light sensitivity and also will include your corrected prescription....I have not tried them myself as I am not that light sensitive.In reality these actally help more in day time....I am sorry but i dont know what to suggest for night time.
As for your current symptoms ..try and monitor day by day ..and if things are improving ..even marginally than ...you are heading in right direction...I would strongly suggest a good optical eye test with somebody who is patient, caring and thorough... before moving further and i see you are having one in June ...why not now? also Jodie j suggestion of posting on expert forum.
Take care

[JodieJ]

I think your current doctor is waiting to see whether your symptoms will resolve on their own.  But as far as I know, sooner is better than later for a lens exchange.  You could try asking about it on the"expert" forum.