Migraines and cataract surgery

[MamaZ]

I had elective lens replacement (cataract surgery) 11 days ago and am scheduled for the other eye this week.  I have had at least 4 migraines in the last week.  I usually have 6 or less per year.  Light seems to really affect the eye and I am wearing the sunglasses around the house even.  
  I am now regretting having had this surgery and am worried that I will have more headaches with the 2nd one done too.  Glasses were very frustrating to me but these headaches are worse.  Plus I paid to have this done!
  Please tell me it gets better.

[Nik666]

This is a very late reply, but I had cataract surgery in 2003 and experienced continuous migraines except while asleep. I had to wear sunglasses at work which was rather odd for a hospital RN. Finally, my opthamologist sent me to a neurologist who prescribed a very low dose of Depakote which worked like a miracle drug on the migraines. It's used as a seizure medication but the dose for migraines is extremely low. I didn't want to take any migraine medicine affecting the heart because of family history. Eventually, I was able to go off the Depakote.

[eyeball78]

Five days after I had cataract surgery on my right eye, I started developing migraines in that eye.  Seven days afrter the surgery the retina became partically detached, but repaired itself.  

However, these migraines developed five days after the cataract operation, which involves the 'appearance' of a shadow or hood at the part of the eye where the retina became detached.  I have had the eye re-checked by the surgon and my optician who both say there is now nothing wrong with the retina.  This pain has been going on now for 4 months, every day without fail, and I am becoming exhausted.

They are now diagnosing neuralgia and have prescribed amitriptyline, but I am not sure this is the way to go.  I had my other eye operated on for cataract 7 days after the first operation, and no problems at all here.  My sight is excellent now, but if would be great to get rid of this continous pain.

[JodieJ]

You certainly have my sympathy.  I've read that multifocal lenses involve a rather lengthy period for neuro-adaptation.  Do your doctors think that this is what's triggering your migraines?

We're about the same age; I developed a cataract following retinal surgery.  There have been many people posting on this forum in their 30's, 40's, and 50's who were facing cataract surgery.  If your migraines continue, you might consider explanting the ReZoom and replacing it with a monofocal lens.  I have aspheric monofocal lenses in both eyes, and I've been extremely happy with my vision.  I've never experienced halos, starbursts, glare or other visual aberrations, and my vision with implants seems to be every bit as good as my (corrected) vision before the cataract developed.   Both of my eyes are set for distance, so I do need glasses for near/intermediate tasks (just like before surgery).  But if your goal is to eliminate the need for glasses, a monovision (or modified monovision) correction with monofocal lenses might work very well.  Best of luck.

[MamaZ]

I had the surgery to eliminate dependence on glasses.  My doc chose ReZoom for the left eye (far vision) and plans to put in a Restore in the right eye.  I am in my early 50s.  

I am not sure that I can handle both eyes having halos at night.  At least now I can close the implant eye.  I am having a migraine a day and it seems like it takes awhile to build in the morning--like the longer it is  light out, the eye tires and headache builds.  Migraine medicine helps stop it.

I'm going to the surgeon today and my optometrist to see what she thinks.  I find that no one says what they really think of anyone in this town.... I do have high regards for the skill of my surgeon for cataract surgery.  

Also after looking around in the waiting room and in the surgery center the realization that everyone else looked 20 or + more years older kind of made me think that not many are having it done at this age.  
Thanks so much for your advice and time.

[JodieJ]

Your post suggests that eliminating the need for glasses was at least part of your reason for having the surgery, although you didn't mention what kind of IOLs you chose to have implanted (e.g., multifocals, monofocals set for monovision, etc.) or what your vision was like pre-surgery.  In any case, there might currently be considerable imbalance between your eyes (for example, one eye near plano and the other moderately/severely myopic).  This might also be contributing to your current discomfort.  If such were the case, delaying your second surgery would not be helpful.  I agree with the Forum M.D.'s suggestion that you consult your eye surgeon about your concerns ASAP.  .  

[John C Hagan]

The eye is often more sensitive to light after surgery because it's healing and second a cataract is usually dark brown-yellow and blocks some of the light from stiking the retina (like a pair of sunglasses inside the eye), when the cloudy cataract is replaced by a clear implant more light enters the eye and it takes time to get use to it.  A hat outside and post operative sunglasses-goggles that block light from the top and side are often helpful.

You don't have to rush into surgery on the second eye until you're "happy" with the first eye. You should consider calling your eye surgeon's office tomorrow. You may need to come in for an extra exam and to voice your concerns about doing the second eye.

Usually I do not operate on the second eye until my patient is totally pleased and satisfied with the first eye.

JCH MD Ophthalmic Surgeon