Cataract Surgery Surprises
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 5:47 pmSince several people have said they are due for cataract surgery, I thought I would share some things that I did not expect after my surgery. Others who have had the surgery may have had different experiences, so please join in. (I had distance lens put in after being nearsighted my entire life.)
I was told that a lot of people go back to work within a day or two of surgery. Even though i had the simple lens that supposedly do not take a lot of getting used to, and even though the doctor scheduled my surgeries only a week apart instead of the usual two weeks, I had a lot of problems with things like itchy eyes and vision problems.
First, for the week in between surgeries, I had really lousy depth perception, even though I removed one of the lenses of my glasses. It was like someone kept moving the ground. I especially had problems with curbs and yellow lines. If I saw a yellow line, I could not tell if it signified a curb or drop-off or what. One time, I had to ask someone and another time, I had to hold onto the Uber car to get in. This got better after my second eye was done, but I would NOT recommend any jogging or bike riding or anything else that requires seeing the ground and balance for at least a couple of weeks.
The sun also really bothers my eyes. I spent most of the first two weeks in my rig with the curtains drawn. They had given me sunglasses, but they kept sliding down my nose and falling off.
I was prepared with a set of drugstore glasses, but because I was going from being nearsighted to far-sighted and my because my prescription was pretty strong, my close vision was and is lousy. The drugstore glasses do not fit well and the lens material is junky and a little cloudy. The biggest irritation is that I have to carry them around at all times because I cannot see the numbers or text on my cell phone. Grocery shopping is a challenge, as is reading instructions of any kind. Worst is that it is hard to read in bed.
So, why not get prescription glasses with the transition sunglass option? That is my eventual plan--transition sunglasses and bifocals in the bottom. Tried to do that, but ophthalmologist said that apparently, your eyes will be swollen slightly for anywhere from 3-6 weeks after surgery, even if you are relentless in using the eye drops. This means if you got a prescription right away, you would have to get new lenses in a very few weeks because your prescription will change.
My eyes have settled down, and I did order glasses that are waiting for me in Napa. My left eye was easy, but the right one is still itchy. They say to use artificial tears and I am doing that, but it will take some time to stop my eyes from feeling dry. I carry a bottle of tears outside whenever I go for a walk because the wind can make them really feel like there is sand in them.
I have no problems driving, but I can't see my GPS well. So as I drive I am constantly picking up my reading glasses and putting them on to see the GPS and a map and anything written. And the glare still bothers me without sunglasses. I probably should have bought a pair, but didn't. I will say that at 4-5 weeks, the sun is bothering me less, however, I will be very happy to get my new glasses to wear outside in the sun.
My point is to warn you that you may NOT be able to go back to work and assume regular activities right away, as my optimistic doctor suggested. Don't skip the surgery, but do plan for it and don't expect to run a marathon.
I was told that a lot of people go back to work within a day or two of surgery. Even though i had the simple lens that supposedly do not take a lot of getting used to, and even though the doctor scheduled my surgeries only a week apart instead of the usual two weeks, I had a lot of problems with things like itchy eyes and vision problems.
First, for the week in between surgeries, I had really lousy depth perception, even though I removed one of the lenses of my glasses. It was like someone kept moving the ground. I especially had problems with curbs and yellow lines. If I saw a yellow line, I could not tell if it signified a curb or drop-off or what. One time, I had to ask someone and another time, I had to hold onto the Uber car to get in. This got better after my second eye was done, but I would NOT recommend any jogging or bike riding or anything else that requires seeing the ground and balance for at least a couple of weeks.
The sun also really bothers my eyes. I spent most of the first two weeks in my rig with the curtains drawn. They had given me sunglasses, but they kept sliding down my nose and falling off.
I was prepared with a set of drugstore glasses, but because I was going from being nearsighted to far-sighted and my because my prescription was pretty strong, my close vision was and is lousy. The drugstore glasses do not fit well and the lens material is junky and a little cloudy. The biggest irritation is that I have to carry them around at all times because I cannot see the numbers or text on my cell phone. Grocery shopping is a challenge, as is reading instructions of any kind. Worst is that it is hard to read in bed.
So, why not get prescription glasses with the transition sunglass option? That is my eventual plan--transition sunglasses and bifocals in the bottom. Tried to do that, but ophthalmologist said that apparently, your eyes will be swollen slightly for anywhere from 3-6 weeks after surgery, even if you are relentless in using the eye drops. This means if you got a prescription right away, you would have to get new lenses in a very few weeks because your prescription will change.
My eyes have settled down, and I did order glasses that are waiting for me in Napa. My left eye was easy, but the right one is still itchy. They say to use artificial tears and I am doing that, but it will take some time to stop my eyes from feeling dry. I carry a bottle of tears outside whenever I go for a walk because the wind can make them really feel like there is sand in them.
I have no problems driving, but I can't see my GPS well. So as I drive I am constantly picking up my reading glasses and putting them on to see the GPS and a map and anything written. And the glare still bothers me without sunglasses. I probably should have bought a pair, but didn't. I will say that at 4-5 weeks, the sun is bothering me less, however, I will be very happy to get my new glasses to wear outside in the sun.
My point is to warn you that you may NOT be able to go back to work and assume regular activities right away, as my optimistic doctor suggested. Don't skip the surgery, but do plan for it and don't expect to run a marathon.
I remember once after getting them I went to see my grandparents and grandpa said your eyes are all better I am so glad... never told him it was due to the contacts... so why did I give them up??? it was to the point that I would see better if I only wore one lens and I had decided to get laser but in order to do so after wearing contacts that long you needed to go without lens for a long time don't remember the length of time now but probably 6 weeks or longer.. so got glasses... and then things came up and came up and up and it never happen... I wish it had... now I wear glasses as I need them for distance and remove them for reading.. sometimes like now if it's far enough away I can leave them on... I don't look forward to the time I need bi focal or cataract surgery. one of the previous members of the old forum had hers removed and had lots of issues with them. but then on the other hand my mom had no problems just need to listen and do and adjust would be my thoughts