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Cataract Surgery: What to expect after surgery

Eye Conditions | Last Active: May 18 9:37am | Replies (86)

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@hindsight

My post-cataract course was not a good one. I continued to have shadows around the margins of my vision. The doctors I saw pretty much just scratched their heads. One told me to see a psychiatrist. So I took it upon myself to find an answer. After hundreds of hours researching, I came across negative dysphotopsia in a forum discussion, and knew that's what my problem was. Interesting that I had to find out about it in a forum and not in medical articles. I found a doctor in California (I'm in Austin, Texas) who had worked with patients with this condition, mostly in Eurrope. I contacted him and he recommended a doctor in Houston. The Houston doctor said my case was pretty much classic, and that he would have to replace my intraocular lenses with a different kind. So I had surgery on one eye followed a month later by the other eye. I had to use a lot of steroid type medications, pre and post surgery. I had arranged for my final follow up to be done by an optometrist near where I lived. My eye pressure had skyrocketed. She kept me in her office several hours treating and watching my pressures. Turns out I'm a steroid reactor. Jeez, what else? It has been a few years now and my pressures are still not normal - I take prescription medication to keep it down. The second lens replacements resolved about 90% of my ND problems. My subsequent research has revealed that ND is not exactly an uncommon condition. Ophthalmologists were slow to get on the bandwagon, and many still aren't. There's plenty that can be found online now about this condition. Although most literature still describes it as a dark crescent-like shape in your temporal field, my experience, as well as many others in forums, is of shadows along your peripheral fields (like vignetting). Bottom line, be aware that this condition can arise after cataract surgery, and don't be intimidated about seeking treatment. Dealing with ND for more than four years after my initial surgeries had caused me to question my cognition, limit my driving, and affected my social interactions. Be aware.

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Replies to "My post-cataract course was not a good one. I continued to have shadows around the margins..."

I had cataract surgery in R eye in 2021 and still have ND. My surgeon gas lighted me when I presented with symptoms by ignoring the issue and talking about something else. Others I went to gave comments like: "You're lucky you have vision." And virtually none would record the diagnosis which I had to determine with my own research. Now I'm looking to have the L eye done and the recent "expert" doc told me I could still drive with one eye. I inquired about the lens and she said that had nothing to do with it. She offered one lens only. She said if it was the lens then there would be one to fix it and everyone would be using it. All the while she pushed magic thinking to cure my "mental illness" for an imaginary condition. (Dr. Samual Masket does have a lens for ND prevention being in trials in Europe at present. They expect it available in 6 months (2024).) Doc then fictionalized EHR, used stigmatizing language in it, and cancelled me from the practice, thus ensuring no resources even for my glaucoma and tainting future visits via EHR to others. This was at a large integrated healthcare organization at a major university with good rating for eye health.
In the professional literature I have found encouragement to gas light patients with ND, thus green lighting such abusive treatment as I have experienced. Don't know who needs to step up to correct such pervasive anti-science conduct; however, I am doing my limited part. I mailed the CEO my concerns after failing to make any headway using their normal channels.
Chin up folks. Maybe ND has a "cure" in the next few years with the Masket lens. Remember to always read your EHR after each visit and make corrections. You are not crazy. You are probably being gas lighted.