double vision after cataract removal & IOL

[bfl7845]

I had bilateral cataract removal with lens implants (monofocal) one week apart.  When the first patch came off (left eye) my vision was much worse than before the surgery.  The Dr assured me that it was just normal post-op distortion and to keep up my eye drops (antibiotics, anti-inflamatories) and not to worry about following through on the second eye.  After the second surgery (right eye), I have a slight double vision in the right eye and the left eye continues to have triple vision.  The doctor said to wait a few weeks and that most likely the "wrinkles" would settle themselves out.  It has been 5 weeks now and there is no improvement.  The surgeon is now suggesting that I have a YAG laser procedure on both eyes to flatten out the "wrinkles in the capsules". He assures me that it is very successful, minimal chance of complications and almost instant "curing" of my vision problems.  I am a little nervous about having this additional procedure since the first two did not go according to plan.  Is this normal to have "wrinkles", is it safe to have YAG 6 weeks after cataract removal, should I be worried about any other complications?  Everything I read about YAG is related to secondary cataracts not to wrinkles in the capsule. I am very confused about what to do.

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

Yes a 2nd or even 3rd independent opinion about your problem is in order.

JCH MD

[bfl7845]

I had the YAG procedure done on June 7th.  No improvement in vision.  The Dr said that I have astigmatism (I did not have astigmatism before cataract surgery) so on June 21 I had eyeglasses (tri-focals) made to help correct the now double vision in my left eye and ghosting image in my right eye.  For very distant vision the glasses are helping, the other two fields are still blurry, but a little improved.  My depth preception is way off, I have tripped and fallen several times and often when I reach for something (like a coffe cup or a pen) I need to make several attempts until I can actually touch what I am reaching for.  In low light and night conditions the halos make it almost impossible to see.  I have anti-glare coating on my glasses but this is of minimal help.  For example when looking at a lit billboard at night I can not distinguish any pictures or print.
The eye Dr that did my procedures says that it is the astigmatism that is causing the problems and that the glasses will correct if given enough time.  
The dizziness, headache, nausea, and lack of depth perception are becoming troubling.  Is it reasonable to think given a few weeks that all this will pass?  Is there anything that can be done for the newly developed astigmatism?  Or for the remaining multiple images?
I am seeing another specialist next week, but I admit that I am a little impatient and worried about my vision and lack of ability to function.
Thank you.

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

Step back and put the yag on hold. Get an independent ophthalmologist Eye MD to give you a second opinion. You could ask your surgeon to refer you to someone outside his/her group or you can go to www.aao.org and find one near you.

JCH MD