Why didn't my new lense take

Three weeks ago I had  a new lense placed in my right eye after cataract surgery Acrysof SN60AT.  As soon as they took the bandage off I couldn't get over how well I could see at a distance.  Two weeks ago I had the left eye cataract removed and the same lense placed in my left eye.  I can't really see at a distance or close.  I get stabbing pains every once in awhile on one side of my eye and feel like there's a film over that area.  The doctor said my eye is healing nicely and not to worry cause I'll see 20, 20 with glasses.  But I'd like to know "Why" it didn't work in the left eye???   He doesn't really tell me.

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

To Comity: No the drops are not a likely cause.  As I said your healing is not complete. Having surgery on paired organs (both hips, both knees) or having the same experience (childbirth) is not an experience in cloning. Each is a separate and different event. Just like women will rarely say that childbirth was exactly the same for each child most of the 3.25 million cataract/IOL surgeries in the USA were somewhat different in those having both eyes done.

JCH MD

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

Even with small incision, no stitch surgery final recovery of vision may take 6-8 weeks. If you see well with glasses things are usually okay.

JCH MD

[Comity]

Thanks for your response. It's actually 4 weeks for the right eye, 3 weeks for the left eye. I know it will be OK with glasses, but why would one eye work well and the other not?  What eye conditions would cause that?  What would cause stabbing pain on one side and a film  or haze yo cover that area of the rye?  None of that happened to my other eye   I'd just like some answers.  

[Moxie67]

I have the same problem.  I'd like some answers too.  But all I get are puzzled expressions or outright denial of my symptoms (ie I am being oversensitive and making things up).

Stabbing pains, sensation of tugging/pulling and heaviness on the temple side, with a gauzy looking veil that just hangs there on the temple side.  These symptoms started within 24 hours of surgery and have not improved one iota in the 20 months since.     I should also mention that I had the stabbing pain during the surgery and I mentioned it but was basically called a liar.   I was heavily sedated but I remember this very vividly.

[Comity]

I had that stabbing pain during the surgery of the left eye too, but I assumed I just didn't get the same level of sedation.  I'm retired from social services, not known for being a complainer but it is upsetting when a doctor doesn't explain why.  Could it be they really don't know?   What else could it mean?

[homecrafter]

I don't have this exact experience, but I share the problem with getting straight and honest answers from the Doctors/surgeons.  My guess is that there may be some error made on their part during surgery and they are very careful what they say so that they don't admit liability.  I'll be going thru cataract surgery in the near future and appreciate you sharing your experiences.  So sorry that things did not go so great, and I sure hope you get some straight answers at least to the potential causes of these symptoms.

[Comity]

Now that you mention it there were differences in the treatment of my right eye.  Before surgery I was given many drops and the nurse taking care of me said they had to be given with a five minute separation.  I don't have any memory of the surgery on my right eye and the outcome was successful!.  For my left eye the nurse kept giving me drops one right after the other and I asked about protocol of waiting 5 mins according to the last nurse treating my right eye.  She said it wasn't necessary.  I remember screaming ouch and feeling a stabbing pain when the surgery was done on my left eye.  Now my left eye has problems.  Could the difference in giving drops before surgery and my experience during the surgery be the cause of my problems or is this something that happens to some because..........?

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

To Comity: No the drops are not a likely cause.  As I said your healing is not complete. Having surgery on paired organs (both hips, both knees) or having the same experience (childbirth) is not an experience in cloning. Each is a separate and different event. Just like women will rarely say that childbirth was exactly the same for each child most of the 3.25 million cataract/IOL surgeries in the USA were somewhat different in those having both eyes done.

JCH MD

[Comity]

How nice of you, a professional, to take the time to repond. Glad to know it wasn't the drops.  Let me get this straight. I think what you're saying is that we all respond differently to surgery on different parts of our body and don't necessarily have the same reaction to both eyes that undergo the same surgery. There isn't a particular cause or reason for this, and that ones  body parts may respond differently to the same event.  .Do I have that right?

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

Yes, spot on.

JCH MD

[jaysta36]

You are so in early days it took up to 4months for my vision to get better,then 6 months for it to go clear im at 12months visions good,you have had surgery on your eyes it needs to heal,just ride it out,trust me its a long process with very little change day by day,but month by month you will notice the difference,you have to switch of the worry,let the healing finish the job

[Comity]

Well, now I can relax and let nature take its course.  Thank you for your assistance.  What a wonderful site this is!!.

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

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