Double vision post cataract operation

Had a cataract operation on right eye under general anaesthethic July 28th 2011. The left eye is essentially non-functional post diabetic complications and detached retina. Hence I rely totally on right eye for functional vision needs. I now have marked double vision when I view distant objects (a separate image appears to the right). Have just got new distance spectacles and can read number plates within legal distance for driving but find the double vision quite disconcerting. I was hoping the new specs would have dealt with this- they are single refraction only (with no prism). The optician didn't really pick up on the double vision agenda.
I have had IDDM for many years and the recently operated on right eye had a vitrectomy 20 years ago and I understand there is some back capsule opacity remaining but I suspect this is not the root cause of the double vision. The vision is otherwise good and clear
I am picking up that prism lens may be required?

Many thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I didn't know that cataract surgery was still done under general anesthesia. Seems a waste of money, time and dramatically increases the danger and risks.

If you shut your bad eye and the double vision goes away you do have true double vision. IF you shut you bad left eye and you still have the problem you do not have true double vision you have mono-ocular diplopia.

In the first case prisms may help the problem if you are not getting use to the situation and "tuning out" the bad image. However prisms often do not work well for this problem. You may need to learn to live with it or wear an occluder over the bad eye.

If you have doubling (actually called ghosting) from the good eye prisms won't help and you may need to wear glasses all the time, wear glasses and a contact lens if you have irregular coneal astigmatism.

You will need to work through this. Suggest you ask your retina Eye MD to refer you to an eye muscle (strabismus) Specialist.

JCH MD