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.

[lorac0813]

Hi Jodie, thanks so much for your post. It's good to know that my problems may resolve with time, but still, I worry continuously that I may have this for the rest of my life. As I said in my post to light show, it's very discouraging although some days are better than others.

I am considering the lens explantation option, although I am moving to a different (and much smaller) city in a couple of months and so will have to find a new surgeon, which could be very time consuming. Do you know if there is an "optimum" time frame for lens explantation, i.e. is it better to get it done sooner rather than later? Any advice, as always, is appreciated. Thanks!

[lorac0813]

Hi light show, thanks for your post. I see that you are having some of the same problems that I am having.....trouble with light sensitivity, glare at night, headaches, etc. Can you describe to me more about the "burning" in your left eye? I have had that sensation as well, not exactly burning, but it's like my eye feels "hot" all the time. Is that the sensation you are getting in yours as well?

Where night driving is concerned - as I said in my recent post to indi - I'm afraid to even try it because of the glare problems. Do you think your new glasses might help with that or have you resigned yourself to simply not driving at night anymore?

I agree with you, I too don't blame anyone for the outcome of my surgery but still - they should at least acknowledge that we are having problems. It's like they want nothing to do with you once the surgery is over. I really wish someone had told me of the possible outcomes and undesirable side effects.

Do you think your lens explantation was worth it? Would you do it again if you knew what you know now? I wonder why it resolved the edge glare but not the light sensitivity?

Like you, I am grateful for the advice and the encouragement that I have received from others on this forum as well as from the doctors. I am just a few years younger than you and also like you, don't know of anyone my age who even HAS cataracts, never mind had them removed!  I try to be positive but there are still many days when I am very depressed. Ever since my surgeries, I have felt much older than I actually am. It's very discouraging.

Thanks for sharing your problems - it helps so much to know that I am not alone.

[lorac0813]

Hi indi, thanks for your post and your encouraging words! I have never heard of photochronic lenses but I am due to see my opthamologist in June and will discuss with him at that time. Will they help with night driving?

I am very glad for you, that you have no glare problems. I would be curious to know how your night driving goes once you get your multifocal glasses. Truth be told, I'm afraid to even try night driving because even just walking outside at night is uncomfortable for me because of the glare from the headlights, street lamps etc.  

I hope you're right, that given time things will get better. I would really just like to feel normal again! Thanks again for your post.

[JodieJ]

I'm sorry that your edge glare problems haven't improved.  I did a little more reading, and it seems that such problems do improve over several months in some cases.  In other cases, replacing the "problem" lens with a silicone lens from a different manufacturer does eliminate the problem.  (But per light show's post, this doesn't always work perfectly, either.)  In your place, I'd probably want to explant the lens, especially if the explant surgery could be done by a very experienced surgeon.  Please keep us posted about your progress.  

[light show]

Your difficulties with your 'new eyes' are the same as mine.  I had bilateral cataract surgery in '05 and was having a horrendous time dealing with various outdoor/indoor lighting and have had daily painful headaches especially in my left eye.
In February of this year I had the left iol implant removed and replaced with a Technis Aspheric lens.  The blur from edge glare is gone, however, I still remain hypersensitive to lighting and see bright rings in my eye at night. I'm waiting for my new glasses and can't wait.
I doubt I will be able to drive at night anymore - sunglasses weren't even helping ... this fact seems to be relatively common in most that have had cataract surgery.
I still get the headaches/migraines.  I had an eye exam by my optometrist just last week and it took 3 days with a migraine and burning eyes before I felt 'normal'.  I never had this problem prior to cataract surgery.
I don't blame anyone for the outcome of my surgery but as Indi says, try to get a doctor to acknowledge your visual discomfort and resulting pain.  Would it be so bad for doctors just to tell us that our problems are sometimes the outcome...albeit rare?
My recent surgeon agreed with me that although my condition is rare ... it is within the normal range.  Does that make any sense to you?
Once I have my new glasses I'm hoping that I will finally have comfort.
I'm not very good with 'tech speak' either....but certainly do enjoy reading postings of those that do.
I am so thankful for this forum and the Medhelp doctors .... and all the people posting...I'm 56 years old and don't know of anyone within my peer group that has even had cataracts....with Medhelp I'm not alone and neither are you.  Hope to hear from you.

[indi1664]

Hi ,
        I am very sorry didnt comeback earlier....I still am not driving as I have not got the correction glasses at moment...as i am due for rgt Eye operation quite soon...than i will get Multifocal glasses for reading,computer work and for driving....In terms of glare or any night vision problems ...Thankfully i have no problem...but just need the correction glasses....perhaps when you have your correction glasses ...might be prudent to get photochromic lenses...these will adjust to light conditions....get some info on this from your Opthalmologist...but i am still confident once your eyes settle down ...this as get older can take a touch longer..perhps 6-12 weeks...than you get the correction glasses i think you will be absolotely fine.
I sense you are allredy feeling a bit better and just a touch more time and you are gonna be feeling grrrreeeeeeeaaaaaatttt...
Take care

Indi