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Cataract complication

(17 Posts)
watermeadow Fri 02-Apr-21 18:28:48

Gransnet must reach many grans and they must know many more old people so someone must know someone whose cataract operation went wrong. I can’t be the only one.
I had my op on my only good eye six months ago and immediately the artificial lens moved away from the centre where it should be. This creates multiple problems, not helped by new glasses. I’m having another op next week to move the lens or replace it. I’d love to hear of anyone else who has had this done.

B9exchange Fri 02-Apr-21 22:28:36

You poor soul, I can't offer advice as so far have avoided needing the op, but just wanted to wish you much better luck with the second one. flowers

Aveline Fri 02-Apr-21 22:38:43

I hope next week's op restores your vision watermeadow. Sounds like you've been very unlucky. Insist the consultant does it.

anna7 Fri 02-Apr-21 22:50:18

My mother had a similar problem about three years ago. I'm not sure of the details but it was something to do with her being in her late eighties and the tissues in her eyes being very fragile due to her age. She had a second operation and it was very successful and she has had no further problems. Best of luck Watermeadow. I am due to have a cataract operation myself in a few days time, although I am in my early sixties. I am hoping that as I am comparatively young it will be straight forward

sukie Sat 03-Apr-21 01:24:40

I don't have any input for you watermeadow but I'm sorry you're going through this. I wish you the best and will watch this thread with interest as I had cataract surgery on both eyes just two weeks ago. The right eye (my good eye) was done on Tuesday and the left eye was done on Friday. Though both eyes were checked the day after each surgery, my next check isn't for another 3 weeks. At two weeks out I still have some blurring, especially in the left eye and what I can only describe as a vague, dark curtain along the far left edge. I should add that I had surgery on the left eye last May for a macular pucker (vitrectomy with membrane peel), and cataracts were an expected consequence.

Megs36 Sat 03-Apr-21 19:29:10

My husband had three cataract operations. (Only got two eyes!)
and a few problems, finally laser treatment which did the trick. Very disappointing to start with each time but eventually a happy ending so the best of luck.

Puzzled Sun 04-Apr-21 18:03:08

Before too long, I shall need this treatment.
But everyone that I know who has had it has been overjoyed with the bresults. So go for it in the expectation that the problem will be solved.

GOOD LUCK!

mumski Sun 04-Apr-21 18:23:46

sukie how did you get on having the vitrectomy with membrane peel? This is something I may have to have in the future.
I've done it the other way around. I had multifocal lens implanted to improve my eyesight and having my cataracts removed was a side benefit to this. The left eye is fine now but the right eye continues to be blurred as they found macular pucker causing it. The operation you had sounded a big one with a long recovery time so I've put it off for a while.

Ladyleftfieldlover Sun 04-Apr-21 18:33:05

Slightly worried reading about cataract ops going wrong. My brother who lives in Australia lost an eye a few years ago in a dreadful car accident. His remaining eye had around 40% vision in it but has now developed cataracts! He is seeing a surgeon next week but is obviously very concerned.

bonfirebirthday Sun 04-Apr-21 18:44:16

I had a cataract operation 10 days ago so I am still at the eye drops and eye shield for sleeping stage so I am unable to help. It certainly is a nerve racking experience, the aftercare not the operation itself. I wish you the best of luck watermeadow.

Liz46 Sun 04-Apr-21 19:00:44

I had to have some laser treatment after my operations but it was painless and successful.

Eloethan Sun 04-Apr-21 20:01:50

The first cataract operation my Dad had was very successful. When the other eye was done, it didn't match the success of the first op.

My husband got infections in his eyes when both his ops were done but it cleared up with antibiotic drops.

On the other hand, my Mum had her eyes done when she was around 90. There were no complications and it was very successful.

watermeadow I hope the problem you have will soon be sorted out and your sight will be much better.

sukie Mon 05-Apr-21 04:12:05

mumski the vitrectomy with membrane peel surgery last May went smoothly. Recovery presented no problems. It was performed by a retina specialist and I was advised ahead not to expect perfect vision but it was still a bit disappointing that the blur and somewhat distorted image in the eye remained. However, I'm pleased I had it because there was improvement and it seems the condition has not worsened as it had been doing steadily. The retina specialist said I would need cataract surgery in the months after the procedure but I had to delay it. Now that the cataracts were removed two weeks ago, I've already notice improved vision in both eyes though the left eye (with the pucker) is still a bit blurry with distorted image. I'm scheduled to see the retina specialist in late April before follow-up with the cataract surgeon so I will pm you after that appt to update you on how the eye is doing a year out.

EilaRose Mon 05-Apr-21 07:45:58

A couple of months ago I had a Vitrectomy to repair a Right Macular Tear and was warned that eye could develop a cataract, then the optometrist said the L eye was early stage cataract and that once I've had both cataracts removed my sight should really improve.

Don't know yet, because I will not permit the retina specialist to touch my eyes again. He completed the 75 minute surgery without anaesthetic, initally telling me it would 'work soon, just be patient'. It was sheer hell and the excruciating pain is like nothing I have ever experienced in my life.

For people who haven't had a Vitrectomy, you can 'see' what is being done as a light is put into your eye...but then to 'feel' the whole procedure is just plain torture. During eye surgery you are not permitted to move, barely breath and NOT talk, so there is no way to communicate with the surgeon 'unless' they pre-arrange some method pre-op. Several times I tried and he even paused and I thought 'phew, he has finally realised I need to talk'...but then he started again.

At the post-op consultation 2 weeks later I told him and he just shrugged his shoulders....he didn't even care!! How heartless!

nanna8 Mon 05-Apr-21 08:13:35

I had a vitrectomy about 10 years ago and it was a horrible experience. After that I had a cataract removed from that eye and that was a doddle in comparison. Over the years my sight has improved in that eye as the scar got smaller and now it is pretty good. I have the start of a cataract in my other eye but I can still drive and that is the main thing. I avoid night driving,though,as I find it difficult though legally I am allowed to.

mumski Mon 05-Apr-21 12:14:07

sukie thank you for letting me know how it went and if you can let me know your progress that would be great.
EilaRose why did you have to have the op with no anaesthetic. That is barbaric. Have you put in a complaint about your treatment?

watermeadow Tue 06-Apr-21 18:05:33

Operations on eyes are gruesome and I was very anxious about having my cataract done because I only have useful sight in that eye. I was offered a general anaesthetic and took it. For my operation on Friday I shall have GA again.
The vast majority have a local anaesthetic for cataracts and say there’s no pain at all but I think they should give people the choice.