Cataract Surgery Surprises

[JudyJB]

Since 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.

[BirdbyBird]

Good information to know. The possibilities are out there. I had Lasic surgery in 2002 after wearing glasses since third grade. “ Oh, look! So that is what the blackboard looks like.” Said 8 year old me. I wore contacts for a few years in high school but college schedules of late night studying and naps ended that. I spent most of my life wearing very thick glasses and as I aged I went into bifocals. After giving lasic procedures 10+ years to get the bugs out I went for the surgery. I was part of the 20% that needed a second surgery to make all the corrections necessary. I so loved not having to wear those thick plastic lenses that carrying around multiple reading glasses still seems a small price to pay for being able to walk to the bathroom at night without reaching for my glasses first! But Like you experience with the cataract surgery I also was no longer comfortable in any kind of sunshine without sunglasses and can’t read my GPS or my phone without 5e help of reading glasses. I do get by with the check readers that I can lose and or brake without crying....250 strength though.

Hope you eyes continue to settle down but I think you may be buying multiple sunglasses forever!

[Acadianmom]

I still have trouble with sunshine and it's been several years since my surgery.

I carry so much in my RV you would think I would have it all. On the last campout I woke up with one eye that was dry or scratchy. That's only the second time I have had that problem and the first time was only a couple of months ago. I ask a friend that was going to town to get me some eye drops but she had some little sample drops her eye doctor had given her. I added eye drops to my traveling medicine kit.

Martha

[JudyJB]

I've had dry eyes at night for many years. I buy the little vials that are preservative-free that come 30 in a package for $12.00. They are very expensive, but I can tuck a couple into everything--purse, bike bag, fanny pack, suitcase, etc. That way there are always a couple handy. I go through a pack per month, but I also keep a bottle of the regular tears next to my bed. My doctor said that even though the package says to dispose of the little vial after one use, I could use it up to 24 hours, and so I do. Sometimes I wake up in the night not able to open one or the other eye, so i have to have something really within reach.

I am in a woods now, but I was wearing a floppy sunhat that i could pull down over my eyes. That helped.

I had to do work on the computer right after my cataract surgery, but I can't imagine having to drive into an office and sit under the bright lights all day. I have a friend who works as a graphic designer on a big computer screen all day, and she is planning on having the surgery in October. I told her she really can't expect to go in the next day as if nothing had happened.

Anyway, glasses have arrived at my son's house, so i will get them on thursday!

[snowball]

I think I got contacts when I was 19 wore them until I think I was in my 50's hard lens (then gas permeable)at that 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
sheila

[Queen]

Thanks for starting this, Judy. As I get accustomed to my new job I’ll consider scheduling my consultation to get this process started. I’ll definitely be reading here as I get ready.

[Acadianmom]

Judy, where do you get the little vials? I had never seen one until my friend gave me one.

Martha

[Bethers]

Martha, I see them at most stores.

I've been avoiding this thread because I'm terrified of ever having cataract surgery. My mom had a bad experience and it made her dry eyes worse and took forever before she could get new glasses afterwards. I've had dry eyes for years. Because of them I had to quit wearing contacts many years ago. Some nights I use the gel to moisten my eyes. I don't during the day because it makes things blurry for awhile. This summer I've been getting by with just drops. I know all of the advances and shouldn't be nervous... But I still am. So far it's still in, hopefully, the distant future for me.

[WickedLady]

Dry eyes are due to lack of tears aren't they? Cataract lenses being artificial catch bright light more than the original lenses and I need sunglasses more than before. I got mine for distance and need readers for close up but no problem seeing GPS, etc.

[JudyJB]

Martha, my ophthalmologist said to use these single-use vials because they have no preservatives in them Here are some of the common single use eye drops:

https://www.amazon.com/Allergan-Refresh ... 493&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/TheraTears-Lubri ... r=8-8&th=1

Walmart carries several brands in stores and online, and here is one: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thera-Tears- ... /783618847

The ones above are all the regular, thin eye drops, but they also come in a thicker gel for nighttime. I really dislike these because as Beth pointed out, they make your vision blurry, but here is one brand: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thera-Tears- ... /415628110

I like the little vials because you can put them everywhere so you know you always have them available. Much easier than carrying around bottles.