Question:
I've had a complication resulting from cataract surgery and I can't
find reference to it in popular medical guides. I hope someone can
give me more information. Here's my story.
Six weeks ago I had cataract surgery in my right eye that was
apparently successful. During the first few days following surgery, I
experienced extreme itching irritation in the eye. On my first follow
up visit, my doctor informed me that a fibre from the inside of my eye
was protruding to the surface of the eye. The fibre was mechanically
removed at the surface of my eye which immediately removed the
irritation. In a subsequent visit, an interior portion of the fibre
was removed or destroyed by laser treatment. At this point I had
20/20 vision. A day or two later my vision began to rapidly degrade.
The symptoms are an overall foggy glare, particularly acute in high
contrast situations, and a ghosting of images.
My doctor explained that the remaining portion of the fibre is lying
across the lens capsule causing it to wrinkle and thus distort light
falling on to the lens. He said this could be cleared up in a future
laser treatment, but I would need to wait three months until this
procedure could be safely done. In the meantime the situation seems
to be degrading and I'm uncertain whether I'll be able to continue
working or safely drive. My work involves hazardous conditions
including managing electrical power and heavy equipment, as well as
the ability to make critical judgements of contrast and color on
television monitors, so my fate is now tied to this fibre in my eye.
I'd be interested if anyone could shed more light on this subject. Do
I really need to wait 3 months? Is this a common complication? Is it
the result of an error by my doctor? What are my chances of resolving
this condition through laser surgery? Can it get worse?
Answer:
Sorry to hear of this, I am no expert but I would imagine someone on
this board could help you. My mom had cataract surgery complications
totally unlike yours, but having gone through alot with her I would
suggest you get a second opinion right away if you have not done so
yet!!! Perhaps go to an eye center at a leading hospital in your area
for such an opinion. I think a second opinion is of utmost importance
for you, having been in the trenches with eye issues with my mom.
Have you asked the doc or thought about wearing an eye patch in the
interm to relieve to odd sight you have with it open so you can
function better temporarily? Having said that though, I don't know if
patching the eye is safe to do, perhaps patching it could cause an
infection to have a chance or something else. I don't know. Just a
thought. Best to you!
Susan
