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Post cataract surgery - one year on

(46 Posts)
jackypat Thu 21-Nov-24 14:58:53

I am one year after my cataracts were removed And my eyesight is terrible.
Yes everything is brighter, sometimes too bright. Yes colours are improved. But it is like looking through a moving goldfish bowl. I have floaters, could get used to that. But the moving water sensation is terrible. I cannot read small print at all, to the point where I carry a magnifying glass around with me.
Has anyone else suffered like this?

silverlining48 Thu 21-Nov-24 15:01:15

That sounds dreadful jackypat. I can only suggest you seek advice if you havnt already done so.

Zuzu Thu 21-Nov-24 15:53:56

I had cataract surgery Aug 2023. I had off-the-charts astigmatism as well. There were 3 levels of surgery offered at 3 different prices. The most expensive, about $3000 per eye over what our (US) Medicare would pay, not only removed the cataracts but lasered away the astigmatism, near- & far-sightedness. I had great vision in the first few months, 20/15. I think it's about 20/20 now and occasionally need readers for close work. I'm 69 and have worn glasses since I was 10. First time I have no need of daily glasses. I have the occasional floater as well. I'd urge you to return to surgeon.

Aveline Thu 21-Nov-24 16:44:52

I'm exactly a year out from cataract surgery. There are still a few floaters but nothing that bothers me. I see well with both eyes. I have reading glasses because I have distance lenses in my eyes now.
Jackypat the sensations you talk about don't sound right to me. Should you go back to your optician for a check up? (Locally opticians do initial checks and refer in to ophthalmology if required)

Mamardoit Thu 21-Nov-24 16:52:45

That doesn't sound right. I would get your eyes checked out.

I've had both eyes done and just had laser treatment on the first eye. I was just unlucky apparently needing laser treatment but it was very straightforward and took less than five minutes.

keepingquiet Thu 21-Nov-24 17:16:36

This doesn't sound right to me either. You must have had some follow-up?

I would get a referral back, or go elsewhere.

I had both mine done almost ten years ago now and never had these problems. It could be something else entirely.

watermeadow Thu 21-Nov-24 19:57:29

I had one eye done during lock-down. I was terrified because I only have useful sight in that one eye.
The lens was misplaced and after five months of totally distorted vision it was re-done, so I had two general anaesthetics and have ended up with worse sight than before. I have two pairs of glasses which I chop and change constantly and a third pair needed for sewing.

Oldbat1 Thu 21-Nov-24 20:08:23

Dh had both his cataracts done this year. Think first was July/Aug then second done 6wks to the day later. He still wears glasses. He has had no issues at all. He was in and out of theatre within 45mins. Couldnt fault the surgeon or other staff.

silverlining48 Thu 21-Nov-24 20:29:28

That’s awful water meadow. Is there nothing they can do?

DeeDe Sat 23-Nov-24 11:07:22

Go back to your surgeon, I had that for a week after surgery my surgeon gave me some different drops to dry the water out of my eye, which soon cleared it
I then went to spec savours had a through examination, got even more information about my eyes than from the hospital
They even stopped my occasional double vision with a Prism lens in new glasses,..
Definitely Don't leave it until your happy with your vision

Grantanow Sat 23-Nov-24 11:09:56

You need further help. Don't just live with it.

Iam64 Sat 23-Nov-24 11:13:42

As others said, you need re referral. Best of luck

georgia101 Sat 23-Nov-24 11:28:52

I had cataract surgery on both eyes this year. The first was completely successful, but the second is watery which I was told is dry eye syndrome. It's got better as time goes on but I need a tissue to wipe my eye many times a day. They've advised me to put drops for dry eyes in which helps. Sounds like you need to ask the clinic about your symptoms. Good luck jackypat.

jd79 Sat 23-Nov-24 11:35:47

No I agree with everyone who said go and get them rechecked. I had mine done one at a time before covid. I do have double vision do to a vein to my eye being blocked and have had a prism put in my glasses for about ten plus years which couldn't be fixed by the op. Some double vision is caused by cataracts and goes when the cataracts are dealt with. I had to go back and get one redone a few months later as it 'went' again but has been fine since. I've known friends who have been fine and others who haven't been so lucky. I have now been diagnosed with dry macular degeneration which among other things can give double vision (nothing can be done this time) and dizziness among other things. Yes I have them both you have to laugh. Good luck go back and get checked, your problems may or may not be cataract related. I hope you get sorted soon jackypat and go back to seeing properly :-)

Allira Sat 23-Nov-24 11:40:16

Oh dear, that doesn't sound right at all, you must go back and seek advice, jackypat.

I was told years ago that I had cataracts which would need surgery in the future and yesterday an optometrist told me she would see me again next year and refer me then.
When DH had them he said everything looked a yellowish colour but I can see colours perfectly well and clearly with distance glasses, so I'm wondering if I do in fact need surgery.

Allira Sat 23-Nov-24 11:42:10

DH has had a problem with one eye too and is being re-referred.

Reading this thread I think I'll defer it as long as possible!

Skimidge2 Sat 23-Nov-24 11:46:51

Had one cataract done 6 months ago. Had the 'looking through a waterfall effect for months but drop and many checks has shown problem is now as good as its going to get, which is so much better than just post op. Now had second one done and everything is perfect. Not advertising but optegra (NHS) have been brilliant

Secondwind Sat 23-Nov-24 11:51:16

Oh goodness me.
I’m going next week to see an ophthalmologist about early cataracts solely because they are making driving at night difficult. I’m in a quandary now, because my corrected with specs vision is so good.

pen50 Sat 23-Nov-24 12:12:44

I had my cataracts done in 2019 and 2023. A few floaters in my right eye but otherwise no issues. You need to go back and get this sorted.

rowyn Sat 23-Nov-24 12:15:46

I've had cataract ops on both eyes, plus laser surgery on one eye as well - all on NHS. Won't bore you with some ups and downs - mostly administrative, but reassure you that the ops have been very successful.
I've worn glasses all the time since I was 11 years old, being very short sighted in both eyes, but with quite a large discrepancy between them. . At the moment I can actually read subtitles on the TV without my glasses, and in theory I could probably drive without them, but certainly wont.
I suggest you go to an optician and see if your glasses are correct, and tell them your problems. I did need to get new glasses after the ops.They should be able to refer you to a NHS eye clinic if needed, or it may be that new glasses will help.
Incidentally,when I returned home after laser surgery I would have sworn that the ceiling was covered with little crawling black insects. Fortunately I'd read somewhere that after laser eye surgery it was probable that one would see floaters for a short time. They disappeared within 24 hours.

4allweknow Sat 23-Nov-24 12:16:35

Floaters are reasonably common post surgery but usually fade. Did you by any chance have a long sight lense inserted. Pre surgery I needed hlasses (since 15 years old) for long dustance but was able to read miniscule print without glasses. Since cataract removal and having had a long sight lense inserted I now need glasses to read any print. Go back to whoever cartied out the surgery or at least see your optician for advice.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 23-Nov-24 13:12:48

Jackypat, try to get an appointment with the hospital where the op was done, preferably with the surgeon concerned.

I have had no bother after my cataract removal, but I have a friend who has floaters like you. I do not know if the problem can be resolved or not, but don't hang about waiting for it to clear up. Get proper medical advice as soon as possible.

Margiknot Sat 23-Nov-24 13:18:55

I agree you need to seek expert advice. First of all ( if you are in England where non urgent waits for ophthalmologist appointments can take months) see your optometrist who should be able to refer you on if required and check your spectacles are optimal for distance and reading.
If you needed quite strong distance spectacles before your surgery or the balance between the two eyes has changed a lot ( for instance if one eye saw more poorly than the other) before surgery it can take a while to get used to the change in vision- but a year is a long time to struggle on!

Margiknot Sat 23-Nov-24 13:31:33

If you have lots of new suddenly occurring floaters or a new curtain effect in your vision, or the vision is rapidly changing you should go to eye casualty.

Heathen414 Sat 23-Nov-24 13:32:53

See your specialist as some common post op issues can be fixed easily. Haven't had mine yet. Have in both eyes but macular pucker in left eye must be addressed first. Recheck end of January for possible eye surgery. Cataracts come next.

Which lenses did you get? I have been nearsighted whole life so don't want distance lenses. Either near or intermediate would be better for me. US medicare only pay for mono lenses