Cataract Surgery: What to expect after surgery

How about a very dark sun glasses. It helped me with light sensitivity driving and,walking.

@manila I see you have been a member for some time but I don't see that you have been formally welcomed to Mayo Clinic Connect. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. It sounds like you have experience and knowledge to share.

May I ask how long ago after cataract surgery light sensitivity remained an issue for you?

I think people are not told the downsides to cataract surgery. I had been told it would be a breeze. Now, after 7 weeks, I have double vision in the eye that had the surgery and have had 4 diagnostic appointments to find out the problem with no clear answers or game plan on a fix as yet. People should be aware, cataract surgery is not as easy as it's made out to be. I have cancelled the surgery for my other eye...I'll wait for near blindness before ever having that one done!

I just had to chime in on this post. In January 2019 I had cataract surgery on my right eye as it was the worst. All my friends that had the procedure done also had glowing results. This is December 2020 and i still wrestle with issues from the procedure. Somehow after the surgery an infection occurred in my cornea, prednisone didn't clear it up. So my last option was a shot in my eye. The doctor was so non chalant about it I walked out of the room and replied not today. As my eye only got worse I prayed and consulted friends, and reading post from this site I decided to go back to the doctor and have them to explain to me what other options were available and what were the consequences if I didn’t take the shot. The prognosis wasn’t good. I took the shot The issue got better however I still experience discomfort in that eye. They want me to do the left eye. My response was this I haven’t healed yet from the one you did.why would i give you the other one, Through this site i’ve learned about Perser Vision vitamin. and the Bruder eye mask which are a tremendous help. To be forewarned is to be fore armed. not all results are glowing

I too got the expensive lens, the toric lens. On Jan 7th I am scheduled for another operation to TAKE IT OUT and put in a basic lens. The Toric lens gave me double vision!

@sunny1971 I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the toric IOL lens, and wondered if you were able to have it successfully removed? I've got to have my cataracts removed (after putting it off for many years) and one of my biggest problems is that no opthalmologist wants to implant just plain old regular IOLs! I've tried several surgeons, and one actually had a temper tantrum when I wouldn't change my mind! Anyway, how are you liking your non-toric lense? Thanks for your reply.

HI well, it is my husband who had the tri focal lens put in, expensive, they didnt seem to want to sell him the basic lens's thats for sure! I had both eyes done 12 years ago, and got the basic len's. But my husband had the PAN OPTIC LENS'S 1 year ago, he still suffers from
light sensitivity, it has gotten better, but still tv seems to be his worst enemy. The blue light. He has tried all kinds of eye wear ! believe me, to no avail, nothing really works, i feel it is all about time !. The best sunglasses that seem to work are the COSTA DEL MAR MIRROR
BLUE, but they are now off the market, and nothing comes close to matching them.
So after 6 doctors and allergy testing, he believes that definityly the sinus has effected his eye. It is getting somewhat better ! i pray the future will increase a less painful eye situation.
thank you for replying.

@bmy and @jaguar I just came across this posting and I’m looking for advice. Now that you’ve had surgery in one eye, what ate some good questions to ask before surgery? I’ve made a 2nd appointment with the ophthalmologist just to get more info.
What should I ask him?

I had traditional cataract surgery 17 months ago and have had peripheral light streaks since. When driving, it’s hard to check other car lights in the rear view mirrors and lights in tunnels are very disconcerting. I have read where these “positive dysphotopsias” (light streaks) can be caused by the type of IOL implanted. Mine is an acrylic, square-edged type that, as I understand from my ophthalmologist, is very commonly used.

I have appointment on June 15th to consider cataract surgery on the other eye. SO, I’m going to ask whether another type of IOL may be less likely to cause these light streaks.

Anecdotally, a friend told me of her cataract surgery. On day of surgery, she was having a multifocal IOL implanted and surgeon, actually, had to remove it during surgery as it wouldn’t “take”! The surgeon, then, implanted a traditional far distance correction lens into her eye. In the 5 months since her surgery, my friend has experienced lights streaks, light sensitivity and feeling of sand in her eye.

I too would welcome any questions the group thinks I should ask at my June 15th appointment!

@bobbyo Am dealing with floaters and gel like substance in one eye that is getting very bothersome at time when don't feel comfortable driving. Had this checked out and recommended surgery with 6 month recovery but also needing a second surgery for cataracts with another 6 months recovery time. Am scared that I won't be able to drive again and live in rural area with little resources. What to do??