Extreme Photo sensitivity in one eye after cataract surgery (since last 5 years)

[yogesh83]

Hi,

I need a help on my mom's eye condition. We do live in NJ.i Please help me to find suitable (specialist) in NJ or NY or PA i can go for:

Diagnosis    Details                                        Treatment Details                 Year            Eyes (Left/Right or Both)
Glaucoma                                                        Surgery                                   2011             Both Eyes
Lens Implant (cataract)                                 Surgery                                   2012             Both Eyes
Foreign Body Sensation and Extreme Photosensitivity   Untreated  Still present   Left Only
Corneal Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration   Superficial Keratectomy     2013              Both Eyes

Still my mom has Foreign Body Sensation and Extreme Photosensitivity   in her left eye, we tried all of the medication that all different doctors suggested but no luck yet. Few medication help momentarily but no permanent solution. I have been to Corneal Specialist but they say everything looks good on their end but no problem. Can you please tell me what I can do in this situation? Which eye specialty doctor I should go for?

Thanks,
Yogesh

[yogesh83]

Hi,

I took my mom  to Dr.Ricard Mackool@Astoria,NY on 4/18/16. He did take a look into my mom's eye conditions and also reviewed the history. After that he did come up with diagnosis of "Low grade iritis" in her left eye.Then he asked my mom to try another medicine (Antropine 1%- other day) on top of the current medications (Timolol Maleate and Fluorometholone). And he asked us to visit him after one month. We are hoping for the best with this medication under his guidance.

Thanks,
Yogesh

[yogesh83]

Hi,

We just went to see Dr. Ben Szirth (Director, Tele-Ocular Program,UMDNJ, Newark) here in NJ and also he said that at this time it would be better to do "Corneal Transplantation" based on current condition of my mom. He had similar opinion as same as Dr. David Chu (Cornea Specialist) .Then we can take it from there.

Any suggestions\advise on this?

Thanks,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

You know this seems radically different that what you said Dr. MacKool said "low grade iritis" and no mention of corneal transplant.  A corneal transplant (if full thickness) is a huge operation with a very long recovery time for the cornea to stablize over a year and sometimes several years.  If they can do a deep lamellar corneal transplant (not full thickness) it would be safer and much faster healing.  
This reminds me of that old saying "you can consult 3 different doctors and get 4 different opinions).  You will have to go with the ophthalmologists you have the most confidence in.

[yogesh83]

Hi! We have decided to take a chance and said yes for "Corneal Transplantation " in one eye . We have scheduled that on Aug 24th at University Hospital, Newark, NJ with Dr. David Chu (Cornea Specialist). I will keep you posted with updates. Meanwhile, please let me know if any extra precautions that my mom has to take before\after the surgery.

Thanks,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

All your instructions will need to come from the surgeon. Best of luck

[yogesh83]

Thanks!

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck

[JohnHaganMD]

You're welcome

[yogesh83]

Ok, Sure. Will do it. Thank you very much for your suggestions on this.

I will keep you up to date with the progress of my mom's eye condition.

God Bless You!

Thanks,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

Atropine 1% it keeps the pupil dilated and the iris and focus muscle (ciliary body) at rest. It can also cause the nose and mouth to be quite dry. If so try blocking the tear duct after instilling the atropine for 2-3 minutes.

JCHMD

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[yogesh83]

Hi, we went to Dr. Brandon Ayres ,Cornea Specialist at Will EyeHospital on Friday 4th Apr. He did notice multiple issues in my mom left eye like: foreign body sensation, photophobia, dry eye, blepharitis, scare in the eye, un even surface on the cornea. .and he said that at this time he did not want to do any surgery due to multiple problems here..but he asked my mom to wear customized lens in her left eye that would not let any light into her eyes so at least she could open her eye into light. I believe that lens would work like patching on one eye.We have to on May 6 to get lens for an eye. That lens would be daily to use and night time will have to take out...

We have another appointment Dr.Richard Mackool on Aprl 17th at NY. Let's see what he finds out...

Thanks,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

Wills Eye Hospital is world class also.

[yogesh83]

Ok, Thanks! I will keep you posted upon Dr. visits.
Regards,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

Yogesh: The leading causes of your mom's symptoms would be irregular corneal astigmatism and/or reoccurence of Saltzman's nodular dystrophy. Also you mom likely had dry eyes and the uneven cornea makes the condition worse. I would suggest seeing a cornea surgeon at Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins or Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary or the Dept of Ophthalmology at U of Penn.  Your mother needs tests for dry eyes such as tear osmolality and schirmer test, corneal topography. She may need to go on restasis or have her cornea re-surfaced. Columbia Dept of Ophthalmology is okay also.

[yogesh83]

Thank you, Dr. Hagan! I will try to set up an appointment cornea surgeon from one of the above threes places (suggested by you)following to my next appointments with Dr. Brandon Ayres, Cornea Specialist@ Will Eye Hospital, PA on Apr1st , Dr. David Chu, Cornea Specialist @UMDNJ (RutegersMedical School, Newark, NJ) on Apr 13th and with Dr. Richard J. Mackool Sr. @Mackool eye instiutue,Astoria,NY on Apr18th.

I will keep you posted here the findings.

Thanks,
Yogesh

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[yogesh83]

Hi, Dr.Hagan! I can not see your comment on my post other than "=". Have you posted anything here ? Can you please provide me any advise\suggestions on my mom's condition here?

Thanks,
Yogesh

[chazas]

It's what he posts when he has nothing additional to add to the discussion.

[CBCT]

I too had extreme light sensitivity after cataract surgery.  After 1.5 years, I had a lens exchange done by Dr. Richard J Mackool Sr. At the Mackool Eye Institute in Astoria (Queens) NY.  Dr. Mackool Sr. does not accept insurance (or Medicare) so I paid out of pocket and got reimbursed as an out of network procedure by my insurance company.  His son, Dr. Richard Mackool Jr. practices at the same location and I believe that he does accept insurance.  

I exchanged a Crystalens for a monofocal lens and my light sensitivity was resolved.  Best wishes.

[yogesh83]

Thanks CBCT for sharing your experience. My mom does not have an insurance at all. Therefore i would have to pay out of pocket as well. Do you remember that how much wast total cost for surgery for your lens exchange? So far i  have been to different eye specialists including Corneal Specialist, Neuro-Ophthalmologist but no luck. Just now i have booked an appointment with Dr. Richard J Mackool Sr. at Astoria,NY office for April 18th. Lets see what happens next. Meanwhile i will be going one more Corneal Specialist (Dr. Branden Ayres @ Wills Eye Hospital,PA) on April1st .

Thanks,
Yogesh

[CBCT]

Hi, glad to hear you are going to see Dr. MacKool Sr.  He is remarkable.  I can't cite the cost of my lens exchange for two reasons: 1) the anesthesiologist fee was covered by my insurance, and 2) In addition to the lens exchange, he also performed a vitrectomy to correct a previously existing condition.  Perhaps you can call Dr. MacKool's office and ask them for a ball park estimate on lens exchange.  Best wishes to you and your mother.  

[yogesh83]

Thanks, CBCT! I will keep you posted following to Dr.Markool visit next month.Can i reach out to your email address in case of any question? I have shared mine to Inbox on Medhelp.org.

Thanks,
Yogesh