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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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@scadams27

I had a detached retina and had a sclera buckle and a gas bubble. The outcome to such a severe detachment is generally needing a new lens aka cataract surgery. It was impossible to drive at night as lights were blinding. I had the the surgery. You are given a dissociative medication so you don’t even remember it. You wear a patch with little holes to semi see thru for a day or two. There are several eye drops (medications) to put in your eye over the course of several weeks. But the vision gets better quickly and there was no more pain or pressure. It’s a bit discouraging the first few days but it does improve quickly!

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imallears | @imallears | Aug 28, 2022

@scadams27

Hi,
Just chiming in here. I also had a detached retina in the right eye in the 1980s with just a scleral buckle. In 2009 I had, per my wishes, cataract surgery in both eyes. It was the best thing I could have done despite being told that complications may occur in the future because of the detachment. I was given the choice of far or near vision and I opted for far. I only use prescription glasses for driving but don't really need them. I use the over the counter magnifiers for close up.

I have been treated for the past 3 years for macular edema in that right eye which is almost gone. There are periodic injections of Avastin which will taper off in the coming months. I do have some dry macular degeneration (MD) that is being monitored.....the right eye of course, being the worse eye. However my left eye is nearly 20/20. I do not drive at night anymore...not for several years...that is my decision. I am 81 and it is not necessary to do that anymore. When I was told of the MD years ago I was given the advice of eating as much green vegetables as possible....spinach, kale etc and have been taking Preservision since then. I attribute the fact that my MD has not progressed much to my diet which I changed a bit and I happen to like all that green stuff so I make sure I eat that at least once a day. Several months ago I was told I had a haze on the right eye which I had though was the MD. Turns out it was just scar tissue and I had a laser procedure that lasted 60 seconds. It was a big improvement for me. They sometimes refer to it as a secondary cataract. The scarring won't return so I am happy I had that done.

Hope my experience helps someone make any decisions.

Here's looking at you kid.

FL Mary

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