Now need Laser Posterior Capsulotomy After Cataract Surgery & 2 RD'S, what next?

[Greenbaypat]

So after seeing my eye doctor, It was scheduled for me by the eye doctors office to schedule with my cataract surgeon for further evaluation on eye issues.  My eye sight in my left eye was worsening after only a few months since my last visit plus,  I have also been experiencing a great amount of glare in bright lights and the sun which continue to be hard to bear.  The eye doctor said I have swelling in both eyes, some scarring, and The left eye has some bleeding.  I had cataract surgery in March of 2014.  I had retinal detachments in July and October of 2013.  

My cataract surgeon suggested I schedule for a YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy, which is quick and will clear up the distortion and glare, one eye at a time.  I am not thrilled about having another surgery obviously, but feel confident in the doctors I am seeing for this, yet am concerned just the same!

Any surgery has risks, obviously...!  Further RD'S?  Is the surgery making that more possible, or if I don't do this procedure would my eyes continue to have increased glare and scarring and loss of vision?  

I have to admit that my concerns come from having one thing after the next, and possibly causing more future issues because of another intervention or surgery of sorts?  How much can the eye take, and at what point is more surgery making it worse, or not worth the added risks?
What is the recovery time from this procedure?  At what point, if I go ahead with this surgery as scheduled, do I know that this has been successful?

Thank you for any insight you may have

[pinhole]

I hope you have gotten an appt. with the retina surgeon. If your general ophthalmologist makes the call to the specialist you might get in faster if by calling yourself you don't get in as soon as you'd like. My YAG was nearly a month ago.

[Greenbaypat]

You asked----As I reread your original post, I see that you were told you had swelling in both eyes. Is that swelling of the retina? Was any treatment proposed?
Thanks for rereading all of this!  I was told the swelling was likely from all of the procedures on my eyes, scarring from cataract surgery.  Not sure if it is on the retina...seems odd to even say, but I am unsure!?  


The reason I perceived improvement after my YAG is that the center of the PCO was so dense it was blocking out light to the retina. I immediately experienced light getting through. But lines of text are now smeared--the water-drop effect that you described seems similar.

SAME here!  Apparently, the light blocking is somewhat common, and it was told the YAG would improve that.

Were your two RDs in the same eye, or one in each?  
One in left first, July 30th and second in right in October  2nd of the same year.

So, I spoke with my eye doctor and she feels I should go back to my retinal specialist and surgeon who did my RD'S, and have his evaluation and assessment of the current situation and what my next step should be.

I did cancel my second YAG, as I want to get some answers and see also if my vision improves in the first one.

I hope to get in ASAP, and get clear on what it is that I am dealing with, and the road forward.  Also, the water droplets answer, which is troubling to hear that you are experiencing it as well!   How long ago did you have the YAG?

[pinhole]

As I reread your original post, I see that you were told you had swelling in both eyes. Is that swelling of the retina? Was any treatment proposed?

The reason I perceived improvement after my YAG is that the center of the PCO was so dense it was blocking out light to the retina. I immediately experienced light getting through. But lines of text are now smeared--the water-drop effect that you described seems similar.

Were your two RDs in the same eye, or one in each?

I am glad you are staying on top of your symptoms and gathering as much information as you can.

[Greenbaypat]

Hi pinhole, gosh you read my mind on this one!  I had a difficult time sleeping last night, as this was also on my mind!  I can say the eye drops have helped some, but.....   Overnight, I came to a similar conclusion as you, in that I feel I should wait on my GOOD Eye!   I still have blurriness and fail to see much improvement over prior YAG!   Seeing the RD surgeon, or at least checking back with my trusted eye doctor, is a minimum.  

I guess I need some answers first, clarity both in the YAG "ed" eye, or at least a vision check of that eye to compare back to before considering the next eye.  

Thanks for the reply and good wishes.  Keep me posted on your status as well, and good luck too!

[pinhole]

Hello Greenbaypat:
I read your post from 2/20. I am sorry you are having ongoing problems.
Might you consult a retinal specialist at this point?
I am not proceeding with a YAG in my other eye because unlike the first one that I recently had done, the opacity is not very dense and does not bother me, plus I have edema in the first eye (a cyst or something was evident before the YAG).
I hope your vision is improving. Have the lubricating drops helped?
Best wishes to you.

[Greenbaypat]

So, I ended up going in to have the first YAG checked, as I had some discomfort along with fuzzy vision....so, he basically said I need to use these (refresh optics advanced) drops like 8 times a day.  Every two hours. When I calked in, and the technicians were asking questions, is when they said, Yes! Come in.  I woke up in the middle of the night with that side of my head aching-which was odd!  I took ibuprofen, as my head was splitting!  

So,  On the next one he said, begin them right away.  He said my eyes have been through a lot and need the extra moisture.  He gave me a bunch of samples to use.