Post-cataract op problem

[Verdana]

Hoping there are some opthalmologists on here - or anyone who might have solved a similar problem, please. I had a cataract removed in my weak left eye. The surgeon gave me a middle distance lens. The vision isn’t great and it doesn’t work with my near-sighted, dominant right eye (which doesn’t need a cataract op). Is there any alternative anyone knows of to having an otherwise unnecessary op on my right eye to make it work with the left one? I’ve been told glasses are impossible.

Also does anyone know the correct term for eyes not working together, please?

And lastly can anyone recommend a surgeon knowledgeable in this field in the Reading or Stafford area please?? I’d be happy to pay private.

Before the op, I could see very well with varifocal glasses, work, use computers, travel, and was very active. This is really limiting my life. Thanks for any help!

Is the actual eye okay? Some cataract complications can make the vision in that eye blurred.

If it's just a case of a poor Intra-ocular lens choice, you could wear a contact lens in that eye, or have refractive surgery in that eye.

Thanks for your response Ash - that eye never was good - I can see to get around post-cataract but it’s not good enough e.g. to read street signs or bus numbers. To use a computer I have to put on my old glasses and close the treated eye which is tiring. I wish the surgeon had put in a close vision lens and I could have carried on wearing (new) glasses and keep my existing right eye. I’m now booked to see privately an eye surgeon who got good reviews online so fingers crossed he can advise me about a contact lens or surgery as you suggested. Thanks again for your ideas.

I've sent you a PM.

I'd save your money and just go and see an optometrist instead. Trying a contact lens first (so that at least you know what prescription to have if you do choose to have refractive surgery), is a good starting point. Plus they can also check for any underlying conditions such as cmo, which can blur your vision even more. You want to choose someone who has an up to date OCT.

How long ago was it done? My dad had both of his done recently, and the 2nd one took a good 4 months to settle/heal and vision to improve whereas the 1st time was almost instant.

Ash: my local opticians are advising me but they may be limited by what the local surgeons can offer. I was told at the hospital that under NHS rules, the surgeon can’t offer anything other than the routine op otherwise it’s touting for custom - you have to know in advance what to ask. I am trying contact lenses the opticians got for me as a short-term solution (currently struggling with taking them out so not allowed to have them yet!)

JaneEyre: The op was in June. It’s certainly improved since then but not immensely. My other eye is short-sighted so without specs the combined vision is blurry. I can get close vision only with my right eye now.

Sight is so important, I’d spend money on that before almost anything.

Have you been back to see the surgeon who did the op? and explained what is happening.
I had cataract op a few years ago, both eyes,
I had a few problems at first, but mainly seeing double,
I believe you said you only had one eye done, sorry if wrong, but surely your eye should be better now than before or what is the point of having it done,
I would go back again,or cant your optician refer you, ?
Mine did to have further lazer treatment

Thanks lml, I’m waiting for an appointment with the original surgeon to come up - but it seems from what the opticians said all he can do is put a lens in the second eye to make it match the first one and then I lose my remaining close vision - which I value. I don’t fancy having to put on glasses to see anything close to. The first eye had a bad cataract so had to be operated on and individually it is much better than before. It’s how to make them work together. Another very awkward thing with my current vision is that I can’t recognise or see people’s expressions until I’m near them.

After i had my first one done,i found it very difficult to see properly, as there had to be a gap inbetween ops, cant remember how long though now
I think you would probably be better having both done though
If it was me i wouldnt go anywhere else until you have seen your original surgeon, he might be able to sort it out, it migght just be a matter of time for your eye to settle
Hope you can get it sorted though

Well, before the original surgeon does something else irrevocable, I’m seeing if there are any alternatives. I’m trying a place that does specialist lenses for spectacles today. And making a bit of progress with getting contact lenses out under supervision. Thanks for your good wishes.

Its really difficult to comment without having the full facts of your case. Im not an optom but i do have an interest in eyes. I feel that the surgeon who did the IOL implant should have sought to balance your vision so that you had good binocular vision. I would have thought the best thing to do would be to correct for good distance vision and then all you might need was a pair of readers? I think before you consider any further steps, you should get a referral to a specialist unit such as Manchester royal eye hospital or moorfields on London. Are any of these close to you??

Thanks TDH. Yes, that is what the opticians say - wait for an operation on my right eye to make it work with my left eye for distance vision, and have glasses for reading (and perhaps other glasses for computers). I assume that is also what the original surgeon was thinking.

It sounds as though the surgeon I have booked to see privately is good so I’ll see what he advises. I’m also finding out if spectacles are possible, my preferred option. Most people say not.

If I can get used to contact lenses, I have distance vision with them and can read with reading glasses. The advantage is I keep my close vision when they’re out. But they are much more hassly than glasses. I'm elderly.

What I’ve learnt:

I’m sure most people without astigmatism and with both eyes needing cataract ops are fine with the standard NHS op. This didn’t apply to me and I should have got advice. I’m still not clear who is meant to supply this under the NHS.

Contact lenses would have been a solution but even with the thinner disposable lenses, I wasn’t able to prise them off my eyeball.

A lens maker told me there’s a technique not much known today called slab off, something to do with prisms, which can sort unbalanced eyes with spectacles. I’d have pursued this if I hadn’t agreed to a second op.

After seeing a recommended eye surgeon privately, I’m having two ops done by him, a YAG laser op to improve the treated eye and then an op to put a new lens in the other eye. He suggested, as Ash did, thanks, I try a contact lens first to test what I’m comfortable with. Luckily I live near an optician who can remove it for me.

I’ll have to learn to live with whatever vision I then have, and get spectacles for reading and computer work.

I still haven’t heard from the hospital that did the NHS op about my next appointment. It’s practically impossible to get through by phone. As far as the cataract op they did is concerned, the op was fine - they just gave me an inappropriate lens which has led to loads of complications.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions.