One month post op cataract

[texas2step]

I am not a happy camper.  I had L. Cataract surgery 30 days ago and made sure I had one of the best eye docs here in Houston.  I want whatever he placed in that eye OUT NOW!  I would rather have dim vision then all the residuals that go with having a cataract removed even though I can see better.  The tearing, the light sensitivty, the feeling that something is in your eye, the white glob like floater that appears out of no where and the eye in general that looks distorted....is not acceptable.  And they want me to schedule the other eye now.  I would need my head examined.  I thought this was an easy surgery....Live and learn.  Never Never Never.
Lisa in Houston


This discussion is related to 4 weeks after Cataract surgery still having severe symptoms.

[JodieJ]

Your symptoms are not normal or expected.  And if your eye surgeon is actually "one of the best" in Houston (which seems highly doubtful to me), s/he needs a serious attitude adjustment.  Please see a different surgeon.  I used Castle-Connolly's directory of board-certified doctors who have been chosen by other docs as someone they would consult for their own health care (www.castleconnolly.com).  They list two cataract surgeons in Houston, both of whom have marvelous credentials:  Douglas Koch, M.D. and Stephen Pflugfelder, M.D.  They are both at Baylor University and have the same phone number:  713-798-6100.  Or you can use the directory at www.aao,org--but make sure that the doctor you select is experienced.

[jerry550]

I can also recommend Dr. Koch at Alkek Eye Center, Baylor College of Medicine. He did a lens exchange for me with great success after I experienced negative/positive dysphotopsia with the original surgery by another Opthamologist.

[JohnHaganMD]

Doug Koch MD is internationally known and respected

[texas2step]

Hi Laura, I am sure other cities have docs like what I went thru here in Houston.  And it did not stop with the eye doc or his techs or his intern.  Billing even accused me of no insurance when I went back with hubby, one day post-op.  I had all the insurance checked/verified, 3 days before surgery and paid them my deductible per what Aetna told them to collect, before surgery.  Yes, those lame brains accused me of not having Aetna...LOL  LOL.  Embarrassed me in front of other patients.   They told my husband to pull out his cards again for them to copy.  He opened the folder and saw that they had made two previous copies of the cards, yet wanted them, again.   I finally got my records after I firmly told them to overnight them to my home as I need them next week. I went on to say that "someone please shoot me if I ever get on the elevator and get off the eye floor, again".  She listened.  No apologies of course.   She asked about my new glasses.  I said, "what new glasses".  There was dead silence.  I guess I was suppose to have new glasses.  Hmmm.  She went on to say that I have 20-20 in one eye but 20-50 in the other eye.  Never knew this. Yes, I am maddd.  Madd for such poor treatment and their terrible, uncaring, attitude.  There is no support in this group.  No comfort whatsoever.
Jodie, with this group, I was told by a Tech there that if complciations occur it is not their problem.  Their job as Lasix men is to get a 20-20 reading...They are not cornea or retina docs.  It was up to me to seek help if I had post op problems. I hope the glaucoma reading goes back to pre-op readings, (14)  So far it has not.  I feel soo dumb in not knowing all this before I went to this group.  Shame on me.....Have a nice week-end.    
`

[Laura4]

Texas, I had to go back and make sure your doctors were in Houston.  Sounds like mine in NJ.  The attitude is horrific.  I am struggling with problems with a Toric SN60T3 - glare/light flickering off edge/wet over-magnified look.  Am hoping to have an explant to a Technis but have heard that the Toric has a special sticky substance to keep it from rotating.  This would make it even more risky to explant.  Am about 6 weeks post-op and must move fast.

[texas2step]

I referred myself...)-:  Someone please shoot me before retuning to this teaching place.
I was unable to keep my appointment with the new doctors as I came down with the flu and feel terrible....and I had the flu shot. Plus, the old place still has not sent my records on the cataract surgery.  We have asked three times now.  The new doctors need them.
When I called to cancel my appointment and was connected to different depts. they were wonderful. They truly had empathy in their voices. They were very kind.  I thought I must be dreaming and the fever was making me delirious. I am not use to this nice of treatment.  I pray it last and the good doctors will be able to help me.  The peripheral vision is also affected.  Live and learn.  
Keep well.

[JodieJ]

Getting an additional opinion wouldn't be a bad thing.

That $14,000 fee you paid is supposed to include your post-surgery care, which doesn't stop if you're having problems.  Who referred you to these doctors?  I'd be inclined to let the referral source know about my awful experience with that group.

Try to stay positive.  I think you can look forward to better vision in the future.  Keep us posted.  

[texas2step]

I am having problems again with posting.  I started the one above and it flew away from me.   Yes, the attitude of these Lasix surgeons and some of the staff just floors me.  I put in a call to one of them on Saturday when I ran over a barrel on the road as the cataract eye was not focusiong well and vision was blurry and I had the three babies in the car.  I was shaking. Intern on call calls back and told me to start the predisone eye drops, again.  Never said for how long and I never got a call from the surgeon's office on Monday.   Maybe I am expecting too much for 14,000.00.  YES....I have an appt with an new M.D. Eye doctor in 9 days.  AND, another lovely lady called me from another large group today and said they would be most happy to see me (she talked with two of the doctors in their group)about my case)  and apologized for me not doing well.  Here these people are apologizing and they were not even involved.  I may have to see both as I do have good insurance (2 policies).  My dentist's staff sent me the cutest card trying to cheer me up.  They know I am not playing games and I am having real serious problems.  What is so surprising to learn is that a Lasix surgeon's job is to get vision to 20-20 only and do not treat or perhaps even diagnose or perhaps even own up that there is a post -op problem. Perhaps they do not want to know,  I will never..ever... step foot in another Lasix doctor's office. I will get a seeing eye dog first.   Yes, talk about unsupportive attitude.  I was told I was too nice to them...(-:   Wishing you all the best, Jodie.  (it is taking me a long time to post as eye is so tired and weepy)

[texas2step]

x

[JodieJ]

I totally agree that vision problems are terribly anxiety-provoking.  And I'm astonished by the negative, unsupportive attitude of your doctors and their failure to communicate information about what may be causing your current symptoms.  (Could dry eye be contributing to your discomfort??)  If you haven't already seen the new doctor, I hope that you will be very soon.  Please keep us posted about your progress.  

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

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[texas2step]

I finally found an M.D. to see me.  I made sure that the appt. desk man told the eye doctor that I was 30 days cataract post -op and needed to be seen for a possible detachment and severe photophobia and watering.  Three times this appotiment desk man put me on hold and talked with the M.D. and came back to me. Yes!  He would see me.  Thank You, God.  I explained that I was turned away from the "good ole buddy" team in the past 2 days.   Yes, I was being seen by what I thought was the best.   I am not a whiner. I would rather be gardening or doing needlepoint than suffering with residuals and having to find someone to help with these post-op problems.  I am scared.  Eyes are nothing to mess around with.  Last night the big greyish floater (seen since surgery) had flashing lights in it.  Scard me to death. I cannot bend my head forward as the big floater appears and lights up.  I do not think this is normal.  (the other team knows all about this)
I am severely near sighted and had this catract removal to help with my nearsightedeness. I wish you all the best.  
Lisa

[Texheart]

I use the same directory.

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

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[texas2step]

I apologize for the incomplete post above.  The lens they put in my left eye was made by Alcon.  Acry Sof.   Model # SN6OAT  Power 19.0

That is all it states on the card.  I am miserable and now cannot drive  due to the severe light sensitivity. tearing, smarting with pain, heavy feeling in the eye  and fear I will get in an accident.  I am the sole drive for 3 little grandchildren and cannot do this any longer.  The eye docs say this is not their problem as now I have 20 20 with the new lens and side effects are someone else's problem.  I am very depressed over this. I WANT my old vision back.  Good Luck, Laura,  Stay away from eye doctors.

[MrPresley]

I realize this is an ancient post, but as a manner of update I had a Alcon AcrySof IQ 18.5 monofocal IOL implanted during cataract surgery about 2 1/2 weeks ago and so far, so good.

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

as a generalization to both of you these types of complaints on these two eye websites and in the real world are much more common with multifocal IOL (rather than monofocal).

JCH III MD

[Laura4]

Lisa, I am in the same boat as you.  What kind of lens did you have?   I  am about 5 weeks post op and can only say that I've had some minor improvement.  I was also stronly advised to have surgery in the other eye 2 weeks following first eye.  Second opinion strongly advises to wait.  This can be a difficult psychological adjustment for some people, and it takes time for a lay person to figure out what's what.  Is it negative dysphotopsia?  Is it an imbalance between eyes?  Is it bad placement? (my surgery was excellent in terms of placement and healing.  I am still figuring things out and it has been tremendously stressful because I too would rather have my old vision back.

Laura

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

Get a second opnion and do not proceed with the second eye until you are happy with the result of the first surgery. Find an Eye MD near you at www.aao.org

JCH III MD