Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery

[Spanieldoglover]

Hi everyone, I know this is such a helpful forum and just wondered about other people’s experience of having cataract surgery when also having Glaucoma (I have open angle glaucoma)? I had my right cataract removed last week and my left this week and had lenses put in for my extremely bad near sightedness. It’s so weird to actually be able to see when I wake up in the morning, although I’m not sure my brain has taken this in yet as my eyes seem to feel strange working together (if that makes sense 😊). I think I’m just worrying unnecessarily at the moment as I seemed to be able to see really clearly out of my right eye by the next day, but my left eye is not nearly as clear (I know it’s very early). I don’t yet know if I’ve lost any vision because of my glaucoma as it was only diagnosed when the cataract was found and so I’m due to have a vision field test on the 19th. I’m sure both eyes will react differently, but I just wondered about others experiences?

[Engima]

Hi, I have had cataract ops in both my eyes. The right eye is not so good as the left one. They were done by two different surgeons - the right one didn't do any astigmatism correction but when I had the left one done the surgeon did some correction and halved my astigmatism. My right eye never has picked up to be honest - keeps going blurry and every time I go to the eye clinic I mention it only to be told things would settle down. Getting on for three months now, but I will be mentioning it again on my next visit at the end of this month! Hope thing settle own for you soon.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Engima]

Hi, I’m sorry to hear you are still having problems with blurriness in your right eye. Is there anything they can do to correct that? I’m not sure yet if there’s a difference in vision or whether my brain is adapting. I’ve had a problem with binocular vision too and that still seems to be there.

I suppose I just need to be thankful that I can see and I’m sure they will settle and at least now I will have the glaucoma monitored.

I hope when you return to the clinic at the end of the month that they are able to do something to help you.

[Engima in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Hi. Like you I am wondering whether the eye is blurred or just that the brain needs to adjust! With the flashing and halo lights round the eye (particularly at night time) I was told by someone at the eye clinic that the brain need to get used to it and then I wouldn't notice the symptoms any more!.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Engima]

It’s so hard to know isn’t it. I’m getting flickering too, but I think that is expected, but don’t know how long for. I’ve got to go back for my pre op appointment on Tuesday so will hopefully know more then about how ‘normal’ these things are.

[Engima in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Hope you get some positive answers.

[Spanieldoglover]

Thank you, I hope you do too.

[Sunshine88888888]

Hi Spanieldoglover, I’ve just had both cataracts done to help reduce pressure in both eyes. My left eye seemed blurred very quickly and so recently had YAG surgery which was a very quick laser procedure. The capsule surrounding the new lens had become cloudy. My right eye was fine however the surgeon did say the capsule can become cloudy at any time. You have an appointment coming up, make a list of all the questions and concerns that you have. I’ve learned over the years to make sure I make the most of each appointment. I know how busy they are however we get one chance maybe in six months to sit and discuss our eye conditions. I had slight flickering and flashing too, the flashing in the right eye however increased so I had to go back. Fortunately it was a very common problem after cataract surgery and in time it will calm down or rather the brain will ignore it. Do keep in contact and let us know how you get on at your next appointment x

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sunshine88888888]

Hi Sunshine, thank you for this. I will make notes of things to ask, because as you say it is all a bit rushed. Did you find your eyes were quite dry for a while following the procedure?I think I probably need to rest them a bit more than I have but I find it’s quite difficult to do that 😊.

I will let you know how it goes, thanks x

[Sunshine88888888 in reply to Spanieldoglover]

My eyes were tired, and definitely dry! I don’t think I gave them enough support in terms of testing and putting dry eye drops in! They are definitely better now! My cataracts were done in May and June of this year. Give those dear eyes a rest, take care x

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sunshine88888888]

Will do, thank you x

[rhys1234]

Just as re your eye which is not so good following the cataract op: I believe it is a known phenomenon that a minority of cataract ops require a laser beam adjustment a few weeks down the line. [ I don't think it's because the surgeon didn't do it right ~it's just that some need this and others don't.]

So it MAY well be that your one which isn't working so well could benefit from this happening.

One of my eyes ( I forget which ) did need the laser correction; the other didn't.

So certainly make a note to ask about the laser thing when you ask why one eye seems to not be so good as the other.

When I say ' make a note' I mean literally, draw up on paper a numbered List of things you have to ask about. Better for the surgeon than you sitting there saying ' there was something else but I forget what it was ' and then remembering in the car park, lol.