dim light vision &r aspheic

[Peggy333]

I have one lens replaced with the Alcon sn60wf & now several years later it is time for the other eye.With the alcon eye -  I have some difficulty discerning shapes only in a dimly light room but night driving is good. In a room with small amts of light coming in the window - the Alcon eye can barley see-  but the natural cataract eye discern shapes easily. I did not realize this with both eyes open - but when I closed one eye for something and became aware of the differences and it concerns me as the other eye now needs surg. I held a yellow tinted lens over the cataract eye and I still saw clearer with that eye in dim light so I don't think it is the blue filter. I read that aspheric lenses can reduce immediate vision as they are so precise for distance so I wonder if it is the aspheric. Does anyone with 2 alcon aspheric in place have trouble with dime light. I can put on light of course but I wonder about getting older and being in a situation where I can't see in dim light.

[flossy93]

I am sorry about your experience.  It is not common for vision after cataract surgery to be so poor, unless there has been a significant complication.  Please consider visiting a different doctor or practice to ask what is happening.

There could be swelling or other post-surgery complications for which treatments are available, and vision would improve after those had subsided.  But, for the doctor to say that after your cataract surgery it will take a month or months to heal and for your vision not to be better than before the surgery is very unusual.  Please consider seeing a different doctor for a second opinion.  

Please don't just accept a poor answer from your doctor.  You deserve to know why your vision is not better than before surgery, if that is the case.  Although it is unlikely, there could be a retina condition or other complication that could not be seen before the surgery if your cataract was very bad.  But the doctor should tell you if that is a possibility and refer you to a retina specialist if she suspects a problem at the back of your eye that's been revealed since the cataract was taken out.

As a minimum you should return to your cataract surgeon and get her to tell you specifically what is causing your vision loss after surgery (like what complication(s) you are having), what treatment she recommends or if no treatment is recommended by her, how long she thinks it will take for each complication to subside and what you should watch for in terms of coming back to the office if X happens.  Have someone write down what complications you have which are affecting your vision.  

Feel free to ask in this forum once you have the information.  There are lots of post-cataract patients here, and someone could have additional information that could help you.  Best of luck with a recovery for your vision. Fingers crossed!

[lindahailey]

I had cataract surgery three days ago. My eye like looking though brown lens and I can't hardly see. I went doctor she said it just takes month to heal.I know others who vision was perfect this scares me.

[Peggy333]

do you have the sn60wf or do you have the earlier Alcon? Know that you are pleased with your selection and have had them for some time.

[Peggy333]

I read a study that suggested that the rods use short blue wave to see or perhaps the cataract is grabbing and disbursing the light and  illuminates more. does this seem possible?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

It is difficult to comment on your symptom.  This may be due to the refractive error difference of the two eyes.  You should discuss this with your doctor since he knows the condition of your eyes.

Dr. O.