visual distortions after cataract surgery with macular puckers

Posted by 1995victoria @1995victoria, Mar 22, 2024

I'm wondering if my visual distortion will improve. I've had macular puckers for more than 20 years without visual distortions. Now I had cataract surgery in one eye, and have distortions reading, paying bills etc. Will my brain learn to ignore the distortions? I'm hesitant about having surgery in my other eye, which also has macular puckers, but I can read with that eye, without distortions. I'd like to hear other people's experience with this issue. I thought cataract surgery would be a walk in the park, I didn't know I'd be walking in Jurassic Park. many thanks

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Profile picture for sunflowers22 @sunflowers22

I had surgery in April 2024 for glaucoma and surgeon suggested cataract surgery as well. I did not need the cataract surgery but he thought it would lower my eye pressure. My vision in the affected has been garble since the surgery. I went for a 2nd opinion and they discovered a macular pucker. At first the new surgeon made it sound urgent, then at 2nd visit he said let’s wait. Contradicting himself. Scary!
I have decided no more eye surgeries. Just too risky. He said no guarantees. Just my thoughts.

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Deciding to have or not to have this kind of surgery is so difficult. I am finding that the macular pucker is getting worse, so I think I should go ahead with the surgery one day, and the next day, no, I won't have it! Apparently, even if you have the surgery, the eye will not return to the vision you had before the pucker. As I said in my previous post, there is so much contradictory information on the web, and also from surgeons, it seems. Best wishes, Edale

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Profile picture for brian24 @brian24

I pray for all here with eye conditions and wish every one well with their surgeries.I have had epi retinal membrane for months and as you all know who have it,it drives one nuts.I do not know how we can live with this for the rest of our lives.I can't read out of my bad eye and am seeing Dr.Sophie Bakri mid August.I keep thinking ok lets get this membrane peeled off the macula and that will help with the blurriness.Does anyone have any experiences with Dr.Bakri and would you advise to have surgery,as my quality of life has been like the Titanic,BLESSINGS to all and thanks for taking the time to reply,Thank you Brian from Canada!

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Let us know how your appt. goes, Brian. I see Dr. A. Salyani in Newmarket, ON. (very brief appts.)

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Hello Kaye ,Edale and thank you for your last message,and you also Sunflower,much appreciated!My situation is just like yours,i have to close my eye to read and every thing is blurry,what a drag!I think to hopefully get this blurriness taken care of i would be face down for as long as they say,i recently had a massage and the table i was on was so comfortable,there was a hole in the face and i could talk read etc.no problem,so i think the pain of it would be worth the gain.But you are right there is a lot of contradictory info floating out there.I hope you find someone to take care of you if you get the surgery.I tried to leave my email address here for anyone to talk to but it would not let me as it was worried about possible scammers and dangerous URLS,whatever that is,i would just like to talk to someone who has this terrible condition and share experiences and discuss possible surgery etc.and whatever else we are dealing with with this life changing membrane on the macula.I am a retired firefighter and Catholic respectful Christian who would like to talk to another soul about epi retinal condition,any ideas on how to share info as i mentioned above.Thanks to all and many Blessings to all who are struggling with this condition,Blessings Brian!

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Profile picture for brian24 @brian24

Hello Kaye ,Edale and thank you for your last message,and you also Sunflower,much appreciated!My situation is just like yours,i have to close my eye to read and every thing is blurry,what a drag!I think to hopefully get this blurriness taken care of i would be face down for as long as they say,i recently had a massage and the table i was on was so comfortable,there was a hole in the face and i could talk read etc.no problem,so i think the pain of it would be worth the gain.But you are right there is a lot of contradictory info floating out there.I hope you find someone to take care of you if you get the surgery.I tried to leave my email address here for anyone to talk to but it would not let me as it was worried about possible scammers and dangerous URLS,whatever that is,i would just like to talk to someone who has this terrible condition and share experiences and discuss possible surgery etc.and whatever else we are dealing with with this life changing membrane on the macula.I am a retired firefighter and Catholic respectful Christian who would like to talk to another soul about epi retinal condition,any ideas on how to share info as i mentioned above.Thanks to all and many Blessings to all who are struggling with this condition,Blessings Brian!

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And yes PS i will let you all know how my appointment goes,i also wonder about the outcome of this surgery,it is 70 % chance of success i was told by my ophthalmologist,but then i read that some of the procedures in the States are 90 % and the earlier you get this thing taken care of the better,lots of praying to Saint Lucy,Patron Saint of eye conditions for sure.

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Sorry i forgot to mention great luck with your decision and next appt.in Newmarket,by the way is it a private clinic or OHIP insurance,i have seen both and the private is much faster to get answers and appointments,Brian!

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Profile picture for sregiani @sregiani

Yes, thank you. Better than expected. My surgeon said not to expect much for 2-6 weeks, total healing takes months and sometimes a full year. I already see much better, no more missing a line in a book or notes on a page. I ring handbells, so it came down to quality of life. Glad I did it sooner rather than later.

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So happy for you Sregiani,how is the healing going and has the vitrectomy surgery been a success,any complications,i am contemplating getting it done,did you have to be face down for awhile,thank you so much,Brian!

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