Cloudy Vision / Unable to focus - After Micro shunt Surgery

[JeffV]

Hi all,

Almost 4 weeks on from my surgery I am still experiencing cloudy vision, which my current glasses can not correct.

Saw the consultant last week and he was happy with the progress but said it does take time for these things to settle down. I have had a fairly interesting ride to get to surgery (failed SLT, very high pressure, emergency taping to bring eye pressure down).

I am wondering if this is normal to experience these types of symptons or should i be worried and heading to A&E. I have phoned my consultant and left a message but its difficult to know whether they will come back to me. I am not due to see him till the end of Jan at the moment. All the reading i have done online says that it normally only takes 2 weeks for recovery from this type of surgery

Thanks for listening

[Bellamolly60]

don’t worry it took mine 10 weeks

To calm down and get vision improvement

[Jeffvader in reply to Bellamolly60]

Hi BellaMolly, thank you for the reply. I guess I have to be patient, which is not an easy thing to do!

[Max22]

Hi JeffV,

I too have had the Preserflo microshunt surgery just 11 days ago at Moorefields. I’m afraid I am also experiencing the same symptoms as you. My eye is like thick heavy fog. I can barely make out the shape of my hand when I hold it in front of me.

[Jeffvader in reply to Max22]

Hi Max, best of luck to you. Your experience is no different to mine, the first two weeks are very blurry but it does get better. I am just not seeing the improvement I thought I would. Let me know how you get on over the next week or so, hopefully you will see lots of improvement quickly. Jeff (btw this is my proper account, I mistakenly created another but this is the one I will be using going forward)

[Max22 in reply to Jeffvader]

Thanks Jeff. I will update on my progress. Just been really worried as I was not told my vision would be so much worse after surgery.

[Jeffvader in reply to Max22]

From what I understand you are still in early days territory and these things can change quite quickly. When are you next due to see your consultant? My consultant kept stressing to me that everyone and everybody is different, people heal and respond at different rates. Not always easy to hear as we all want a timeframe to work to.

[Max22 in reply to Jeffvader]

Thanks Jeff, I will try to stay calm and not stress so much. My next appointment is 3 weeks time.

[Jeffvader in reply to Max22]

Hi Max, how are you getting on now? Hopefully improvement?

[Max22 in reply to Jeffvader]

Hi Jeff, I’m afraid it’s not good. I took myself to A&E at Moorfields on Friday as my eye is still cloudy (like thick fog). They took pressure and found it had shot up to 27! The day after my surgery it was 2 then at one week follow up it was 4 and now after 4 weeks it is 27. My vision is a lot worse than before the surgery. I have an appointment with the consultant on 13th Jan and see what he says. Stressed and worried.

[Jeffvader in reply to Max22]

Hi Max, so sorry to hear that you have been having difficulties. It's such a hard thing to deal with. What did A&E say? Did they give you additional tablets or drops to help bring the pressure down? Before my surgery I had pressures of 47 in my eye, which was way too high that they wouldn't let me go home until it came down. Agree 27 is higher than it should be but hopefully it is just passing and will settle down. Have you phoned your consultant? I had to do this a couple of times to see whether what I was experiencing was normal. They phoned back and talked me through it and said it was part of the healing process. Give them a call or if you still think the pressure is high go to A&E again. I have been there a few times since my surgery as I was convinced my pressure was too high. Luckily it's remained in the right area but my vision is still not as it once was, less cloudy these days but still not quite right. Keep being positive though I understand it's not always easy.

[Max22 in reply to Jeffvader]

Hi Jeff, A&E prescribed me dorzolamide/timolol drops and told me to increase the steroid drops to every hour. The A&E doctor said he spoke to my consultant and as my appointment is only 10 days away my consultant will examine my eye to find out the reason for the pressure spike.

[Jeffvader in reply to Max22]

Hi Max, well hopefully the drops will bring down the pressure and then your consultant can see what is going on. If the consultant is aware and is waiting till the appointment it may be that it's just part of the healing process. My vision was still very clouded at 4 weeks post op, however it is slightly clearer now. People have said it can take 8/10 weeks for it all to settle down and pressure can change throughout that time. Really hope it sorts itself out soon and you can start to put this behind you. Sending you best wishes

[Max22 in reply to Jeffvader]

Thanks Jeff, I will update once I’ve seen the consultant. Did you pressure fluctuate after surgery?

[eyesong in reply to Max22]

Hi to Max and Jeff also, I had AHMED inplant Dec.14 and pressure was 10 for 2wks then 22 and now 30. On the after surgery RX's (one is Atropine Sulfate dilates the eye ) and now also back on regular drops Cosopt pf , Zioptan pf , 2 pills a day of Methazolamide, and have ck up again on Jan. 11 to see why implant is not draining.My vision is worse than before surgery blurry and can't focus but I hope that will improve with time. In Nov. I had laser on the other eye and it did not work at all so will have surgery later for implant. The laser was MP-TSCPC Micropulse Transcleral Cyclophotocoagualation. A long name for a procedure that did not work but they say it sometimes does on the second try. One thing good , the recovery was quick with a few RX meds but pressure was never reduced, now back on my glaucoma routine. Does anyone know if implants routinely get stopped up and can be unplugged by squeezing the eye ball? My Dr. did this in the office when she saw 30 and sent me home to do this 3 times a day and take my glaucoma meds now. (the squeezing hurt).Any advice if someone has heard of this procedure, thanks, Eyesong in Texas

[Max22 in reply to eyesong]

Hi eyesong, I am so sorry to hear that. I am in the same boat as you, my vision is a lot worse than before the Preserflo implant (very foggy) it has been 4!weeks since my operation. When I took myself to A&E the junior doctor did mumble something about a possible blockage. My next appointment with consultant is on13th January so I will see what he says. I was told not to touch or rub my eye so I’m surprised your doctor has asked you to squeeze your eyeball 3 times a day.

[eyesong in reply to Max22]

Max I will be watching to see what your pressure is, I was shocked when mine went up to 30 and may be even more. Wish I could read my own pressure .Thanks , good luck.

[Max22 in reply to eyesong]

eyesong, I will give you an update once I’ve seen my consultant on the 13th of January.

[eyesong in reply to Max22]

Max, I am curious about your progress and your IOP. After my AHMED implant on Dec 14, I am doing good finally, IOP is 10 after all over the chart, I am sked to have the other eye AHMED implant done Feb 4 and I know what to expect now. Found out the AHMED implant works from day one to lower pressure it can slow down after 2 weeks and even go up then level off again, I am on my previous drops to assist the implant and hope to be off them eventually but I like the IOP of 10 as my pressure in both eyes has been 30 even with all drops for so long. I still do the eye "exercise " just in case to keep the implant from stopping up. My vision is clearing up has been foggy after surgery and meds and I know what the Ghosting is! See you, Eyesong in Texas.

[Max22 in reply to eyesong]

Hi eyesong, so good to hear that you are doing well. My vision is only slightly improved but still foggy. My IOP is now 13. The Doctor was not sure why it had spiked to 27 at week 3 (it was 2 the day after op and then 4 1 week later). The PRESERFLO tube is touching my iris and the doc has said they may need to re-operate but would like to wait and see. One of the options he is considering is a cataract op ( I have a cataract in that eye) He tells me that the artificial lens is thinner than the eyes natural lens and that this may lower the lens in my eye and thus lift off the tube from my iris. I am still on dexamethesone eye drops every 2 hours.

[eyesong in reply to Max22]

Max good luck on cataract and revision surgery, they can pbly do same time , eyesong

[frankthebank]

Hi Jeff. I'm in the same boat, 4 weeks on Thursday and vision is still very cloudy in the eye. My journey hasn't been as smooth as yours post opp, it's been a battle between high and low pressure ( my stitches blew loose after blowing my nose ) My biggest concern now is that I was put on pupil dilating drops for a week, which I stopped 5 days ago and it's still dilated. I do think though your recovery sounds likes it's going well, it can take a few months to go back to normal and they must be happy if they don't need to see you until the end of Jan. I know it's stressful though, I try my best but keep worrying all the time, but it's so disorientating having cloudy vision in one eye, I've started wearing an eye patch all the time, to feel better. I've got an appointment on Thursday so will ask about vision recovery then and update.

[Jeffvader in reply to frankthebank]

Hi Frank, sorry to hear that you've been having some difficulties. I was so very frightened of coughing too hard or sneezing during the first few weeks that isolated myself away, even from my little girl which was very hard. Sounds like you've been very unlucky with blowing your nose, it's so hard to know what is right and what's wrong (I've only just had a proper shower for the first time since the op, even now I am still very cautious!). The worrying is the hard bit as it's constantly on your mind, but having spoken to my consultant today (he phoned me) I feel a bit more reassured. He said it takes time to settle and though some people see recovery quicker than we have, it's not uncommon. Just depends on your own body. If it's any consolation my eye is still dilated as well, from the atropine I took. It can take weeks for that to settle down as well. Hopefully your appointment on Thursday will provide some additional reassurances, just in time for Christmas! It just feels like patience is needed!

[frankthebank in reply to Jeffvader]

Thanks for your nice wishes Jeff, whilst I obviously wouldn't wish this on anyone, it's reassuring to be able to relate to someone on the same post opp timeline. The shower one made me smile, because funny enough it was the same for me yesterday. Like you say everything I feel cautious about ( 2 weeks now without a sneeze or nose blow 😀 ) Somedays I think the eye feel a lot better then other days, I wake up and think it doesn't feel right, but now I'm just trying not to worry and let time take it's toll. I'm happy for you that you got some reassuring news today and I hope that's made you feel better for Christmas, and thanks for letting me know about the dilated pupil, because that one was really worrying, and I can only assume that when that goes the vision will improve alot. I wish you all the best in your recovery and happy Christmas to you and your family.

[Jeffvader in reply to frankthebank]

Hi Frank, how is everything with you now? Have things started to normalise?

[frankthebank in reply to Jeffvader]

Hi Jeff. Thanks for asking. Whilst there has been some improvement, my vision hasn't really improved that much tbh, I've had an issue with low pressure ever since the stitches came loose, I thought by now I would be back to normal but no such luck. The only thing is that despite having no pressure in the eye, they are telling me the eye look good and the operation has gone well and that things will improve, however is still concerning, as now I just want to get back to work and back to normal. How is everything going with you, have you seen a big improvement?

[Jeffvader in reply to frankthebank]

Hi Frank, incredibly frustrating isn't it? Sounds like the doctors have aren't too worried and feel it is as it should be. Patience is a gift that I have never had, same as you I just want to get on with things. On my side (thanks for asking) my blurriness has definitely improved, though my eyesight is not as strong as it was. It's probably a consequence of the high pressure I had and also my surgery, some need a prescription change after this type of surgery, some don't. I don't feel able to see as well without my glasses now. I was borderline as to whether I should be wearing them when driving, now there is no doubt 😂. My eye does feel better now it's almost 7 weeks on from surgery but still get the odd twinge here and there. Takes time to settle down. My blurriness started fading in the last couple of weeks, so keep the faith that yours will to. Luckily I work from home so that means I have been able to start again, which means should I get tired eyes I just go and annoy the cat for a while! Keep in touch Frank, we are similar age and happy to support where I can. Wish you well and fingers cross next time your message your eye will be even better

[frankthebank in reply to Jeffvader]

Hi Jeff, yes very frustrating, I've now spent so much time taking it easy and watching TV, I'm turning from active into a couch potato 🙂. Am glad for you that things have improved for you, hopefully not too long for me as well. Then it's a case like yourself of seeing how much damage was done to the vision post opp, because I went into it high pressure as well. Thanks for the nice message, would be great to stay in touch, so I'll keep you posted how things turn out. All the best to your progress

[Curls1]

Hi - I think the info which says vision improves after 2 weeks very misleadingly. Mine took more like 8. Pupils also took a long time to settle after I'd stopped using dilating drops.

[Jeffvader in reply to Curls1]

Thanks for sharing makes me feel better knowing others have walked this path already.

[designguy]

I'm having the same issue, had cataract surgery and stents in right eye a month ago without any problems, vision was really clear. I then had the same in left eye a week ago and have had cloudy/foggy vision since then. it seems like it is a little better for awhile and then not so much. It also seems worse when it is bright and sunny out. My doc says it can take up to 2 - 3 weeks before it clears up. It is definitely irritating, guess I got lucky with the first eye.