I just had a YAG (don't ask me what that stands for) last week. It's a laser procedure to get rid of the "tissue" that forms behind the new lens after cataract surgery. Sometimes it happens in months, sometimes not for years. I had a YAG on the other eye four years ago and was supposed to get it done on the second eye shortly after, but I developed retinal problems in the YAG'd eye and was frightened to have anything done to my "good" eye. I'm mostly pleased with the results except that I have a couple of new "floaters" that are probably from the laser procedure and that are driving me crazy. Next October, I'm having the retina surgery on the bad eye. I'm scared about having it, as it does have a certain risk of destroying the retina or not helping at all, but the eye is really messing up my balance and perception, so I'm going for it.
I knew this month (March) was a dodgy one, I could just sense it To all those experiencing problems in your lives, I wish for guidance and strength to us all and - a good outcome
My mother had that YAG surgery. She said the floaters afterward were really pronounced and distracting, but they settled down and disappeared in a few weeks. The procedure was simple, even simpler than the cataract surgery. And not so many drops to use afterwards, because there was no cutting of any tissue involved, so little danger of infection.
Had laser cataract surgery on both eyes last Oct 2018. Cataract was pretty bad in left eye, but now it's 20/20 as well as the right eye. Only glasses I have to wear are reading glasses for looking at very small print, like on iPhone. No more glasses for seeing computer or driving. The specific laser surgery and specific lenses cost us $1,900 for each eye, but we both feel it was well worth the cost. I do have a little negative dysphotopsia, aka black vertical line on temple side of eye, that shows up at times. This is very common thing to happen after surgery and will eventually go away. My OD had me visit a retina specialist and I was cleared of any retina problems. Compared to how my eyesight was before the surgeries, the new eyesight is wonderful!!
Back about 20 yrs ago an optomotrist told me had the beginnings of cataracts, I was about 60. At that point I was already getting deeper into my distrust for many doctors and medicine. So I got to work and researched all I could to maintain good eye and at this time (81 soon) no cataracts. My recipe of what keeps my eyes healthy: Vit C Grape Seed Extract Lutein Bilberry (some times) Crystalline Eye Drops (homeopathic) for cataract prevention Similasan Eye Drops (homeopathic) for dry eyes And rarely go outdoors without Sun Glasses....I have light eyes and protect them. This is what I do and just sharing here. I'm not a fan of any surgery.
Maggie Mae is alive Life - in it's sometimes cruel way - has put a wedge into what used to be my normal daily routine. Hubby went in for cataract surgery and came out blind in one eye. It's been more than a bit of a rough time but we are managing and slowly we are getting used to what is apparently going to be our new normal. I've missed being able to stop in daily .. I try to get here once a week or so just to catch up .. it was nice to see someone wondering about me .. thank you. And Ken .. no I'm not angry at anything or anyone here
Cataract surgery and is now blind? Enquiring minds want to know what happened? I have an ophthalmologist who is trying to talk me into eye surgery so ...........!
.Cataract surgery helps an amazing number of people but it is not perfect. A very small number of their removals are dangerous for different reasons. That is why they are done one eye at a time. I researched every surgeon I could for the best and safest. My hubby had a successful pair done. He is happy with his surgery. Find the best you can.
@Maggie Mae, I am pleased that you are okay and it's good to have you back, if only once in a while, but I am sorry for what happened with your husband. I can only imagine how tough that would be.
Wow, what is going on here? I had cataract surgery a couple of years ago and now there is a film behind the new lens the doctor implanted in my right eye. Not blind, but certainly cannot see clearly. They said to laser it out, but I am not sure about all this. Will seek another opinion when this pandemic lets up. Not good. Sorry to hear this Maggie Mae.
Thanks He had cataracts in both eyes. The vision in his left eye has always been really bad due to an extreme astigmatism. In fact he has had 4 surgeries to correct the astigmatism and try to bring his eyeball into a "normal" round shape. They finally got it to a point where - with the help of scleral contact lenses - he had almost 20/20 vision in that eye. His right eye was also not good but nothing like the left eye and it has always been the good eye .. the one that lead the other .. so he had a good eye and a bad eye. He began to develop cataracts and so appts were made with the most highly respected group here to have those removed from both eyes. Surgery was done on his bad eye (the left one) and it was wildly successful. So a few weeks later it was time to do the good eye (the right one). 2 days after the surgery he woke up and was blind in that eye. We immediately contacted the Dr and went in for an emergency visit. They referred us to a retinal specialist. He ended up with Endophthalmitis in the right eye .. his "good" eye. The infection was - in their words - the worst a person could possibly get in the eye. We went daily for eye injections of antibiotics that were very painful in hopes of stopping the infection that was rapidly multiplying. It took 2 weeks of that before it finally began to slow down. During the process of this infection going nuts inside the eye .. the retina was detached. The plan was to have a surgery to clean out the inside of the eye and fill it with a silicone oil to force the retina back into place so it might possibly re-attach. He would not have true vision .. just shadows. The day before that surgery we went for his pre-op appt. When we came home he was going up the stairs to the back door and because he could not see well he missed the step and fell down the stairs. Knocked himself out on the driveway. A call to 911 brought the rescue people who took him to the hospital where I found that he did not know who he was, where he was, what had happened and he didn't even know who I was. He was transferred to a brain injury facility due to a brain bleed. He was there for 10 days. After 2 days he began remembering things and people and finally knew me again. Because of the brain bleed there would be no eye surgery .. and the end result is complete blindness in what was his good eye. He has been to regular checkups every few days since then and the purpose of those visits was to manage the pain and try to save the eye even though there is no vision. Once all of that got under control we were able to proceed to address the left eye and get him an updated scleral lens and I am happy to say that he has 20/20 vision in that eye and is no longer moving through a blurry world. He has no depth perception as that is a "stereo" sort of thing with the eyes but he can see to do most things. So in a nutshell that has been our life for the last little while ... no fun and very tragic but we also understand that there are people out there with far worse problems than these .. and that is not lost on us. We are trying to look at this event as a new adventure ..and believe me .. it has been quite the adventure ! And let me just add that many people have had very successful cataract surgeries. What happened to my husband is one of those things that does happen once in a while but not often. Just due your research and if you are the least bit uncomfortable with the group that is going to do your surgery .. move on to someone else. Remember that there is never a 100% guarantee on anything in life.
Wow, what an ordeal to have occurred. So sorry to read this and I hope life gets much better for you both from here on out.
Maggie, I have never met you face to face but I am sooooo very proud of you for your outlook and your willingness to share. I have personally heard so many down and out woe-is-me I’m being persecuted people in my life that it is hard to believe that there are really people around who have your attitude and grace. You’ve managed to start my day out perfectly!