Wish I'd Never Had Cataract Surgery

by CP
(Boston, MA)

I had cataract surgery more than three months ago. I now have constant pain in my eye from a feeling that there is something in it. Since it was so difficult to get to see a doctor six weeks agao (due to a shortage, I guess, and overbooking), it was suggested by the office that I go to the Emergency Room, which I did. I was diagnosed with severe dry eye and put on prednisone drops, told to put hot compresses on my eye as many times a day as possible, take antibiotics twice a day and use preservative-free, artificial tears, all of which I have done over the past several weeks. I am still in agony, and no matter what doctors I call (former or current), they either can't see me or refer me to the emergency room.

I feel that there is extremely insufficient medical help for this problem. It's treated as such a routine surgery, I guess, that no one thinks it important to see you. I finally am getting to see my doctor next week, and I truly wonder what he will say, since this seems to be so "rare" and of so little concern. I will not have my left eye done until I am absolutely certain that my right eye has recovered, if ever.

I am not one who complains about pain. I have had two other surgeries from which I recovered extremely well and with little to no pain. I am so, so sorry that I had this surgery. I would much rather have given up my night driving permanently than to be going through what I am going through right now. There seems to be no help.

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Apr 29, 2023
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Eye surgery
by: Anonymous

I could have written this. Cataract surgery has taken 6 months from my life. My eyesight is still poor and painful. I will never have the other eye operated on

Apr 20, 2023
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Blepharitis
by: Anonymous

I had cataract surgery, had the toric lens put in. I have never had blepharitis until I had the surgery. I can't wear makeup because it irritates my eyes, I wished I'd never got the surgery.
Putting drops in and hot compresses on my eyes.i know it came from the surgery,the doctor can tell me it didn't, but i know it did. I am really upset about it. Wished there was something to do about it.

Dec 16, 2022
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Horrible cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I had similar to what others describe here. Night vision issues and right eye had issues with uncorrectable distance. Surgeon, who is actually the head of his dept at salem,Ma, stated he could fix it. Not only did he fail but never spoke to me after surgery. Didn’t fix left since I wasn’t risking my 1 last eye with him. Dizziness, eyes don’t balance, lost my hockey ref job… the issue is these drs will take anyone and are not screening properly. I had astigmatism in right eye which he didn’t warn me of the possible failures nor did he address it with a toric lens. Drs are in a money feeding frenzy on these since it’s a quick surgery and they can do many in a day. Absolutely no oversight by the medical boards. Buyer beware I guess.

Oct 25, 2022
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Regret cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I could not see to drive at night and since it was because of the cataracts, I thought removing them would be the solution and voila! night vision restored.

2 days after the surgery things were not right, and not what was typical, but the doctor was dismissive, almost angry that I complained. Told me to come back in three weeks, no restrictions.
Instead, I went back in 4 days still complaining, but now he tells me I need emergency surgery, my incision is "leaking". IT WAS LEAKING 3 DAYS AGO BUT HE IGNORED IT! He arranged for me to go to an eye hospital where I then had emergency surgery the next day. That surgery was a week ago, the vision in that eye is double but the new doctor gives a good prognosis. There is no decision I ever made in my life that I regret more than this surgery. Driving is scary, my depth perception is off, and nothing is in focus. I only needed reading glasses before, now I hope glasses will correct this mess. I wish I had read this page before I decided to go through with the surgery.

Aug 02, 2022
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My Life Was Ruined
by: Anonymous

I was told, by my optometrist at Costco, that I need cataract surgery. I found it weird because I didn’t have any complications reading or driving. But, I took his advice and got referred to a doctor. If appeared that I had cataracts in both eyes, she then offered to do surgery on my left eye first, which was my "good eye" when it came to my contact prescription. I said yes whatever you have to do to remove the larger cataract. WORST mistake I ever made in my life. After my surgery I recovered and went back to work, even though after more than a month I didn’t feel like myself anymore. My vision was still blurry, I could no longer read anything up close, I couldn’t see faces far away, I couldn’t drive at night, and driving in foggy or rainy weather was impossible. This was all too much to handle which forced me to quit my job as I was struggling to perform my everyday duties. I have gotten so many opinions from different doctors since then, some say I shouldn’t have done the surgery, some said it’s all normal and the brain "adjusts," and others say they only did it for the money. My life has never been the same, it has been 3 yrs since the surgery and I have been told the lens can’t be replaced for a different one although I have read that it can. If If I could go back I would’ve NEVER agreed to the surgery as no one cares about you once it is done.

Jul 29, 2022
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Cataract Surgery-eyhance lens
by: Anonymous

I had cataract surgery for my left eye three months ago. The surgeon saw me the day after and two weeks later for 10 minutes each time. He referred me back to the optometrist to get a new prescription as I complained of double vision and dizziness. I wasn’t able to get back to the surgeon for four months. I lost my life overnight. I had severe vertigo dizziness and can’t walk without a cane and I am 67 years old and play multiple sports. I have double vision which has subsided somewhat the morning is good the evening in the dark watching TV is fine but the daytime is very difficult there’s an overlay distorted vision all day long. I’ve paid thousands of dollars in lenses and prism to try to correct it nothing works. I had a slight astigmatism before the surgery and the lens itself changed it so my eyes don’t balance. I’m still trying to get back to the surgeon and I am looking for another surgeon and would like the lens removed . This is the worst thing that’s ever happened. Choose your surgeon extremely well who’s willing to continue to follow up with you to solve the problem and they do remove lenses these days so that can happen or an overlay can be put on so don’t give up keep going and you deserve reasonable eyesight !!!

Nov 30, 2021
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Cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I read everyone's comments about how bad cataract surgery is. However, for me, it is the only way to save my vision. I have a cataract in both eyes. Cataract in my left eye has left me legally blind in that eye. I cannot even read the largest letter on an eye chart. I need surgery, but the irony is that something that could help my vision, I cannot afford. The cataract is not so bad in my right eye. I cannot decide what is worse, knowing you are going blind or slowly waiting to go blind. Thanks to previous medical debt, I know I likely cannot afford surgery before I am completely blind. I'm not able to get Medicare unless I am found disabled. It is ironic that I would gladly have cataract surgery if I could. Taking in everything I can before I won't be able to see it. I am simply grateful to have my sight for a while longer, no matter how impaired.

Nov 19, 2021
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Botched cataract surgery
by: Laurie

My vision was so bad in my left eye I was excited to have the cataract surgery, the doctor said she could put in a toric lens so I would no longer need to wear contacts. The surgery did not go well, the toric lens didn't fit in my eye, she had to put in the standard lens, surgery went much longer than it should have and the numbness was wearing off. It did not feel good!
After my follow up appt the next day, it turns out part of the cataract broke off and was floating around the back of my eye. I immediately was sent to a retina dr., he removed the floating cataract and discovered I had a partially torn retina. The retina was repaired and has healed.
However, it's now been 5 months and I still cannot see out of my eye. It always feels like it has soap in it, and its cloudy at best. It hurts everyday. It's been 5 months now and the dr. seems to be at a loss for what to do.

I'm so frustrated and regretting I ever did this.

Mar 06, 2021
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Think Very Carefully Before Cataract Surgery
by: Anonymous

I don't like to live with any lingering regrets in my life, however I was quite naive about cataract surgery. Prior to surgery, I was highly myopic but had the freedom of wearing contact lenses & glasses as needed. I thought cataract surgery would free me from wearing glasses & contacts, allow better distance vision & I would use reader glasses when needed. Fast forward, 1.5 years after cataract surgery, I've had a capsulotomy in my left eye, a retinal tear in my right eye resulting in huge floaters in both eyes. I needed glasses for all mid-distance activities (reading, cooking, gardening etc.) so unfortunately I just can't pop my contact lenses for that freedom of wearing those damn glasses. If I could do it all over again, I would've waited until I was much older. I had this surgery done at 58 years old & mourn the loss of my previous eye lenses, the freedom from glasses & less obvious & annoying floaters.

Nov 01, 2020
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Regrets over cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I had this surgery done to both eyes. Before the surgery, I only needed glasses to drive and to watch TV (obviously not a critical need). Now, I need glasses for every single thing in my life other than driving and watching tv. EVERY SINGLE THING. I sew, I teach high school math, I have a cell phone, I keep up with the world on my computer, I cook, I shop, once in a while I put on make-up, I like to look at my kitten's face, I read mail, I go to the bank and on and on and on. Every one of those things and so many more now require glasses. I never felt impaired before the surgery. Now I do every day. PLEASE! If you are considering this surgery, think very very carefully about all the things you do in a day that require eyes that work well at distances up to six feet!

May 07, 2020
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Be strong dear
by: Anonymous

Cataracts surgery is a multi billion dollar industry. It should be the last resort. Search for alternative medicine to deal with your pain. I wish you well dear

Jul 21, 2019
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Regretting cataract surgery
by: Mark

Had my left eye done and completely regretting it. Death seems better than this agonizing hell!

Jul 14, 2018
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AMD after cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I fully developed my cataract in September 2017. I was scheduled for cataract surgery in October but I developed an extreme case of pink eye. I had blepharitis and a hemorrhage in that same eye. My next appointment wad delayed until April 2018 but was rescheduled to mid-May 2018. I had cataract surgery on my right eye on May 30. The next day, I expected to see clearly but it was no different than before surgery. Saw the ophthalmologist the next week and was told I had blood behind my eye and was told that my platelets must be messed up. Was referred to a retina specialist and was told that I had age-related macular degeneration. After a shot in each eye of avastin (because I was told my left eye was affected) I can now no more see out of my right eye than I could before the surgery. Blindness is not acceptable to me, but it is what it is.

Feb 25, 2018
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Cataract surgery was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life
by: Mary

3 weeks ago I had cataract surgery with a multifocal lens put in. My vision is much worse and I've developed blepharitis which I have never had before until after the surgery. I don't go anywhere or drive at night because the Halos and glare from the multifocal lens are unbearable. Now, I sit and cry all day and all night because I was so much better off before surgery. I need help!

Aug 17, 2016
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Conjunctival chalasis
by: Anonymous

After going to 7 different doctors and making two ER visits to Mass Eye & Ear and pretty much giving up hope, I thought I'd try one more time and, thus, happened to stumble upon an 8th doctor close to my home, who told me that she didn't have the resources that they have in Boston. She referred me to a doctor in Boston with whom I made an appointment. All I kept thinking was here I go again.

However, this 9th doctor, 11 if you count the two ER visits, had some new ideas. I was tested on a machine that could detect corneal nerve damage, and I came away with quite a telling story. I had, what looked like to me, very bad nerve damage. The doctor put a Prokera lens in my eye, which is composed of an amniotic membrane. It was terribly uncomfortable, and I had to suffer through four days with it in, due to it being a holiday weekend after it was inserted. I went back to have it removed and couldn't believe the difference. Although I still had a severe feeling of a foreign body in my eye, the other pain I was feeling was gone.

I have continued to see that doctor, who after another couple of visits, tested for conjunctival chalasis, or conjunctivochalasis, which I was found to have. The only way this can be detected is for the doctor to put a fluorescin dye in your eye. It's a condition caused by excessive folds in the conjunctiva and for me created a constant feeling of a giant foreign body in my eye. Surgery was recommended. I dreaded another surgery but decided it was probably the only way I'd get any relief.

Two weeks after the surgery, which was only four weeks ago, I still had the foreign body sensation. The doctor seemed a bit surprised but asked if the feeling went away when I pulled my lower eyelid away from my eye. Since that seemed to help, he inserted a soft contact lens to keep the eyelid from rubbing. So far, after two weeks, this seems to be working, although I still have some discomfort from the lens. Definitely not as bad as without it. I have a follow-up visit in two days, and I am hoping that I will be able to have the lens removed and that I will be "cured". Of course, there was nothing said about that. I'm just hoping.

My advice is don't give up, even when all the doctors are telling you there is nothing there, and it's all in your mind, you're thinking about it too much, or I don't know why the pain would be so localized. After almost two years, I think I'm finding some relief.

Aug 16, 2016
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I regret having cataract surgery
by: Diane

I wish I could go back in time and not have had my surgery. The worse thing I ever did. I could see good before the surgery, but was unable to drive at night and didn't see well in low light. I still can't drive at night and see in low light. I'm actually afraid to drive period. No one every told me that might close up vision would completely go. I can't event eat without reading glasses. In fact I can't do anything without reading glasses. Please don't ever have this surgery. I wish I could reverse my surgery.

Oct 23, 2015
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Still Not Right A Year Later
by: Anonymous

After months and months of seeing specialists in Boston who told me there was nothing wrong with me, that it was all in my mind and I thought about my eye too much, I went to Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, where I saw a very good doctor. He told me that I still had severe dry eye, blepharitis and meibomian gland disfunction. Why no one in Boston could tell me that is a mystery to me.

I have been on Restasis for three months now, which seems to be helping some, not entirely. Still have much discomfort daily, and, combined with the huge floaters that I have, my vision is not great. I feel as if I have a constant film over my eye.

This is so discouraging. My life has been turned upside down by this supposedly routine surgery. While I understand that, from a physician's point of view, it may be routine, I would hope that people think very carefully about having cataract surgery unless it's totally necessary. If you have dry eye before the surgery, my guess is that it will be 1000 times worse afterwards. I had slight dry eye previously, nothing that bothered me, but no one ever asked or tested for it before the surgery.

If you can live comfortably the way you currently see, do not do it. If it's being done just so you don't need glasses or contact lenses, I suggest you rethink. Although, I'm sure the odds against such misery as what I am experiencing are minimal, I definitely suggest being absolutely sure surgery is what you want. I would give anything to have my life back as it was.

The doctors can't understand, because they've never gone through the agony of living with a constant feeling of something in your eye, and they won't understand unless they do.

Oct 23, 2015
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Blurry vision
by: Anonymousmarios

After my cataract operation 4 months agomy right eye is still blurry and cant see a thing!! Cornea edema the doctor said!!! My life is in pieces; I'm angry all the time, have used drops for months and nothing!!!! My doctor got paid basically to destroy my eye!!!!

Jan 24, 2015
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WORSE DECISION
by: Anonymous

Me too I wish never had the surgery, the doctor does not know what to do with me anymore I cannot see clear still blurry and see halos and cannot recognize the the people faces unless I stand in front of them in top of that I have dry eyes and the doctor recommend to use Restasis which is a steroid drops, I try them and my vision got worse so I stop them. Good luck

Jan 24, 2015
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Cleveland Clinic
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, the distance I would have to drive to get to one makes it prohibitive and better for me to go to the ER. I may look into it, though, should I have no success with my next appointment. Thanks again.

Jan 24, 2015
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Source of help
by: J. Friday

I have found that when all local doctors don't seem to be of help that Cleveland clinic specialists will get you in within 2 weeks and review the material you bring with you, do an examination and determine what the problem is...I have found them to be patient, understanding, thorough, and will explain their diagnosis and treatment possibilities. Although it was a 3 hour drive for us it was well worth the results. There are several Cleveland clinic locations across the nation. Good Luck!

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