Vitrectomy to repair cataract surgery

[DaveLev]

I had cataract surgery two weeks ago. Something went wrong and the posterior lenses capsular was ruptured. The cataract fell into the vitreous and the result was complete blindness in the eye (like dropping a curtain over the eye). The IOL was inserted but not into the capsule. I had a vitrectomy the next day and it seemed to go well - the entire posterior lense capsule along with the cataract was removed.

The problem is that vision in that eye is extremely poor - it is very blurry, to the point where I cannot read unless the font is very large, and I have double vision. Glasses do not seem to help that eye.

How long should it take for the blurriness to go away and to regain some ability to focus? What options are there?

Thanks

[DaveLev]

Thanks for the response.

There may be a 0.1% chance it will happen in general, but to me it was 100% (kind of like the unemployment rate - if it happens to someone else it's a recession, if it happens to me its a depression).

I am hoping that my vision improves and I will wait, but right now I'm a bit discouraged. The retinal surgeon is happy with the outcome (and he did a great job) but I am also cognizant that he often deals with eyes that are diseased and in much worse shape than mine.

I wish I could get a short term presciption - it is very hard working on a computer with one extremely blurry eye.

[Candace888]

Hi,
I had a detached retina in November and had a vitrectomy and at that time, they put silicone oil in my eye.  Four months later, after my retina healed, I had another one (2 1/2 weeks ago) to take the oil out.  I know it is very, very frightening to open your eyes each morning and see the blur and deal with that all day long.  It takes time and then more time for it to heal.  It really traumatizes your eye but from what I've read and others I've talked to, there will be a slow, gradual return to vision.   Be patient with it even though it is hard to not worry.  My vision is clearing up a tiny bit at a time.  I also have a cataract in the center of my vision now but the peripheral is clearing up.  I have to have cataract surgery in a few months...scary reading your post!!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

First of all I am very sorry about your experience.  It is rare and occurs about 1 in 500 to a thousand cases overall.  The good news is that usually, there can be a very good recovery of vision but I suspect it may take a few months to get decent vision again.  You may also need to wear glasses which cannot be prescribed for a month or two.  Please discuss the details with your cataract surgeon and retinal surgeon and follow all instructions carefully.  I wish you all the best.  It will definitely take some time to get better.  Probably much longer than you expected.

MJK MD