Astigmatism Lens Implant Correction Calculations

Question: Can you use a toric IOL for cataract surgery that corrects down to 1.50, for astigmatism that is only 0.75?

Answer: Toric lensimplant calculation may not match the amount of astigmatism in your eyeglasses. Is the .75 the eyeglass refraction? Is the astigmatism on the cornea as demonstrated by the corneal topography? Is the astigmatism with the rule or against the rule? Is the placement of the incision going to impact the position or the degree of the astigmatism postoperatively? And there is more to be considered in the calculation. Please leave the calculation to your cataract surgeon and if you don’t feel confident with his or her choice then get a second opinion.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Best Multifocal Lens Implant Results

Question: Why is it necessary to do both eyes if choosing multifocal lens implants?

Answer: Multifocallens implants and really any type of more complex lens implant design does seem to provide the best results only after them placed in both eyes. Within the brain you are accustomed to seeing with two eyes. by using a multifocal lens implant in only one eye it creates a less refined image quality with the visual cortex of the brain-just as your vision would be somewhat less precise if you needed bifocals and had only one bifocal lens place in your eyeglasses. Binocular vision helps the brain interpret images by sending more information. In most instances cataract surgery and lens implants in both eyes provide a better overall quality of vision and greater comfort overall as the two eyes are more closely balanced. Thus, even for those having routine simpler implants the visual result is better after both eyes have been done.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Toric Multifocal Lens Implant Vision & Optical Complaints

Question: I had cataract surgery in both eyes in Dec of 2013. I paid quite a lot of money for the Bausch & Lomb Trulign Toric Multifocal Lens Implants. I only have far vision in my right eye and intermediate vision in my left eye. I still have glare from lights especially at night. I have a different type of glare in my right eye that appears to be coming from the lens itself.  I notice yellow beams of light with color in it when bright light enters at an angle from the outside of my eye. I can't find any literature pertaining to this post-op condition. I am being followed up by my cataract surgeon. This just doesn't seen normal.  Should I obtain a second opinion?  What if anything can I do about this.

Answer: You are describing a number of vision and optical complaints that require further investigation. It is impossible to know the cause or causes without a thorough clinical evaluation that includes the actual surgery status and lens implant position, the preoperative measurements, the current refractive status, corneal topography, aberrometry, slit lamp microscopic evaluation and perhaps even retinal evaluation. At this point in time it would be worthwhile to consider getting a second opinion with someone who is specifically a cataract and refractive surgeon as from what you describe the complaints may have originated from a combination of the cataract surgery as well as the lens implant calculations, placement and design itself.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask CataractSurgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Simultaneous vs. Sequential Cataract Surgery

Question: I was told that it is best to only have cataract surgery done one eye at a time and wait about a month between the two eyes. Is this correct?

 Answer: In general, most cataractsurgeons do prefer to do the cataract surgery and lens implant one eye at a time with a wait of anywhere between 1-2 weeks and 4 weeks between eyes. This gives them some sense of the healing process and refractive outcome and may give the surgeon information from which to modify or adjust the second eye procedure. Also, in the unusual instance where there should be an adverse event such as an infection or other complication it tends to be more manageable if only one eye is treated at a time. That said, there are instances and situations where in the cataract surgeon’s clinical opinion it might be better to do both eyes simultaneously rather than sequentially. The best thing to do is to listen carefully to the recommendation of your cataract surgeon.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Lens Implant Materials with Retinal Surgery Risk

Question:  I am considered legally blind in one eye and now need cataract surgery in my good eye. Years ago I had a vitreous detachment in that eye, and I have floaters. I read that silicone lenses should not be used in a person that may have to have vitreoretinal surgery down the way.  Because I had a vitreous detachment and have floaters, does that mean me?  My cataractsurgeon only uses a silicone lens which is the Bausch & Lomb L161AO.  I went to another doctor who uses the Alcon AcrySof SN60WF, but I read of a glistening from this lens.  Which lens would be better for me?

Answer: Certainly in any one eyed patient the cataract surgeon wants to be as cautious as necessary and will guide you to the best choice of lens implant. First, while you had a vitreous detachment you do not state whether the retina is in any way compromised with excessive thinning, holes or tears, or whether there are any tractional areas on the retina. This should be evaluated by your cataract surgeon and perhaps even having a consultation with a retina specialist might be in order. This information is the basis for assessing the risk of needing vitreoretinal surgeon and might lead to some preventative treatment options. Once ths is evaluated and discussed you can as the cataract surgeon and the retinal specialist to make a lens implant material recommendation for you.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask CataractSurgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Monovision Lens Implant with Astigmatism

Question: Will a monovision lens implant for cataract surgery work if you have an astigmatism condition? If so, will an intermediate distance mono lens enhance the dominant eye long distance vision at all?

Answer: Depending on the amount of astigmatism and the expected amount you will have after cataract surgery, the astigmatism will most likely need to be corrected in order to have the best monovision cataract and lens surgery results. As it sounds like you are hoping to be either somewhat or completely independent of eyeglasses after your cataract surgery then using eyeglasses to correct the astigmatism is not a good option. There are really three options for you to consider-a) laser cataract surgery at which time the laser can possibly correct the astigmatism, b) an LRI or Limbal Relaxing Incision placed at the time or surgery or c) using a toric astigmatism correcting lens implants. Which is best really depends on your individual case and should be discussed with your cataract surgeon. Using an intermediate monovision lens implant correction will in likelihood give you sharper distance vision but will probably require you to use reading glasses for some finer close reading or near vision tasks.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Motion Sickness after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery on my left eye last Thursday. Since then I have been experiencing nausea, like motion sickness/sea sickness because the balance between my two eyes has been altered. Is this common?  What medication helps?

Answer: If there is now a significant imbalance between the vision or prescription in the operated eye as compared to the unoperated eye it very well could cause the sensation of motion sickness or vertigo. Your brain is trying very hard to adapt to the big difference between eyes and the only way to get rid of this in the immediate short term is to cover the unoperated eye. In virtually all instances the problem goes away as soon as the second eye is operated. You should speak with your cataract surgeon and explain the situation and he or she can counsel you on the timing to operate the second eye. Often it is only about 1-2 weeks if all is healing well.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Floating Ring Shadow after Cataract Surgery

Question: After my cataract surgery and lens implant surgery I am having a problem with seeing a ring like floating shadow which moves with the lens. What is this and will it go away? 

Answer: Without a clinical exam it is impossible to know for sure but it sounds like what you are describing could be some annoyance as you adapt to seeing the edge of the lens implant. Sometimes the lens implant edge can scatter light and cause a shadow or other types of visual disturbances. If this is accompanied by an actual decrease in your vision or a bending or distortion of your vision you should visit your cataract surgeon at once. Otherwise make sure that you keep your follow-up appointments and ask your cataract surgeon about it if you are still experiencing this shadow. In almost all instances patients become accustomed the new lens implant in a matter of weeks or months and then forget about the shadow.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Astigmatism after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery on both eyes, six months apart. My vision was 20/20 after surgery. Afterward my eyes started blurring and I started seeing double. I went for a follow-up Monday and with my left eye I could not read eye chart. My eye doctor that did the surgery said it was because I had astigmatism in my left eye. He said he could prescribe glasses. I am not happy with this answer.

Answer: While it is not possible to know the exact reason that you have developed astigmatism after your cataract surgery, there are several possible reasons that could contribute. First, depending on the type and location of the incision used to remove the cataract and place the lens implant it is possible that during the natural healing process some astigmatism was induced. This could be even more likely if sutures or stitches were placed to close the incision. It is also possible that the lens implant itself has shifted slightly but this is much less common. Another somewhat common reason might be the formation of posterior capsular opacification whereby the capsule that was left in place to support the lens implant has become fibrosed and induced some optical aberration and cloudiness. All of these possibilities can be carefully investigated and each has a different way of being helped. If you are not happy with the answers your cataract surgeon has provided then seek a second opinion from another cataract surgeon in your area. 

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Shadow Line after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery 2 days ago and now I am seeing a black shadow line in the outside corner of the eye they operated on. The line jumps back and forth making it impossible to read and I have trouble driving. A friend had the same surgery a year ago and he has the same problem. Can this be fixed?

Answer: In all likelihood you are seeing the outer edge of the lens implant used to correct your vision. Many patients experience this as they adapt to the new implant and vision. In almost all instances over time this will become completely unnoticeable. Please be patient and discuss this with your cataract surgeon at you next visit.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Spider Web Vision after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataracts removed and toric lens implants in March. The left eye was done first. I had severe astigmatism and nearsightedness. I was told that I would only need glasses for working on the computer and reading. However, while I'm waiting on my glasses, I find that I have developed some massive spider web like floaters in my direct line of vision. My cataract surgeon even could see that is where they are. My distance is getting worse and prior to the surgery, I could see to read slightly without my glasses. Now, I cannot see to read anything without help (using readers for now). Everything is cloudy, out of focus and I feel like I have made a grave error in having this procedure done. I feel like I'm losing my mind. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Without a careful examination it is impossible to say for sure but it does sound like you are describing a common occurrence after cataract surgery called a vitreous detachment. In fact some 50% or more of patients having cataract surgery experience a vitreous detachment-but not all instances cause vision problems. The vitreous gel is normally adhering to the surface of the retina. With age the gel liquefies and separates-especially after cataract surgery-from the retinal surface. If this happens on the visual axis it can cause exactly what you are noting. The good news is that over time this disturbance does go away by itself with no treatment necessary.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Allergy to Lens Implant Acrylic Monomer?

Question: I work in a dental lab and am allergic to the monomer that is used to make dentures. This is an acrylic. Since the cataract lens is acrylic, will I be able to have a cataract lens? Or is this a totally different type of acrylic? This may seem like a silly question but I still want to ask.

Answer: First, not all lens implants are made from acrylic materials if you are very sensitive. Second, being allergic to raw unreacted monomer is much more likely than reacting to a miniscule trace of unpolymerized residual monomer that might be in a finished lens implant. The FDA holds IOL manufacturers to exceedingly strict tolerances and specifications regarding residual monomer-especially in implantable devices, thus the chance of an allergy are quite remote. However, discuss this with your cataract surgeon who can then choose a different lens implant material for you in order to avoid all risk if necessary.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Lens Implant Edge &Tremors

Question: I had cataract surgery a month ago. I have clear vision but I can see a portion of my lens and it moves. It also has very quick tremors that don't affect my vision but scare me. Is this normal or should I worry and will it ever go away.

Answer: It is not uncommon for some people to actually see the edge of their lens implant after cataract surgery. Some patients do also experience a sort of tremoring as part of the adaptation to the lens implant. All of these visual occurrences seem to be self limiting over time.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Flickering after Cataract Surgery

Question: It has been 3 months since I had cataract surgery andastigmatism correction, with a monofocal lens. I have terrible "flickering" when I am in an area with fluorescent lights. Will this ever go away?

Answer: Some patients having cataract surgery and lens implants do report seeing some flickering of light under certain conditions which are thought to be related to the adaptation to and reflections of light from the intraocular lens implant (IOL). For just about all patients this visual effect does subside after some period of time which varies patient to patient. Please be patient and feel free to discuss it with your cataract surgeon if it continues or gets worse.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Different Multifocal Lens Implants in Each Eye?

Question: I have cataract in both eyes and need cataract surgery. Is it possible to have a ReSTOR® multifocal lens implant in one eye and a different multifocal that would do well in dim light? Would Medicare pay for one single vision lens implant if I have a multifocal lens implant in the other eye?

Answer: While it is possible to mix and match multifocal lens implants, it is not a generally used practice as it can result not only in adding some benefits, but in extending some problems and optical complexity. Generally one would “mix and match” if there was a need to modify the near and intermediate range of vision this could be attempted-BUT could result in the highlighting of side effects of each. Follow the recommendations of your cataract surgeon. Medicare will pay for the monofocal lens only-even if you have a multifocal in the opposite eye.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Toric Lens Implants & No Astigmatism Correction

Question: I had cataract surgery and toric lens implants. After an extensive exam yesterday, I have found out I still have almost all of the astigmatism that I had before surgery nearly 2 years ago.  How can I find out if I really have the toric lens?

Answer: If you are questioning whether in fact your cataract surgeon actually used toric lens implants to correct astigmatism rather than conventional spherical or aspheric implants, there are several things you can do. First, you may have been given a small identification card tat identifies the brand and parameters of the lens that was implanted in your eyes. This would identify whether it was a toric lens. If you do not have this card, then perhaps it might be best to schedule an appointment with another cataract surgeon who can review your preoperative records and the results of your recent exam and then after his or her own exam render an opinion regarding the history and state of the astigmatism correction for you.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Lens Implants after LASIK

Question: I had cataract surgery in my left eye 10 days ago. I have terrible halos, rings and pentagon shaped bright lights around all lights at night that are unbearable. I also have blurriness for distance that is much worse than before surgery and double vision. I had LASIK done with monovision 5 years ago with relatively good success. I'm 59 years old. Yesterday my cataract surgeon told me the best solution is to remove my Technis® Lens Implant he had put in as soon as possible and put in a monovision lens or a Crystalens® lens before doing the left eye. I have astigmatism. Which do you think I should choose for my eyes?

Answer: Lens implants after LASIK can be tricky. Depending on the type of LASIK you had and the presence of corneal aberrations, as well as any contrast reduction from the LASIK flap-one needs to VERY carefully select the type of lens implant AND consider optical aberrations and if they are going to interfere with lens implant optical performance. Further, the multifocal lens implants in and of themselves cause many of the symptoms you are describing. You need to have an aberrometry, a careful examination of the placement and position of the lens implant and a determination of the likely cause of your symptoms-only then will it be possible to make the best choice. Certainly the lowest risk choice is to avoid the multifocal or accommodative lens implant and stay with a monovision correction. Last, if you have a meaningful amount of astigmatism this needs to be carefully considered as well so as not to leave it uncorrected. Both the monovision option with a toric lens implant or a Crystalens® toric lens implant can hopefully address that for you. 

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant & Astigmatism

Question: Four months ago had cataract surgery using ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant in both eyes including corneal relaxing incisions for previous astigmatism. I am adjusting to the various distances for reading and computer and the need for good lighting. However my distance vision is blurry so have a problem reading street signs until almost on top of them.  It has been suggested that more relaxing incisions should be done and in the office. 

Answer: It is impossible to know whether you might need additional relaxing incisions as it is not obvious whether the cause of your distance blur is indeed uncorrected astigmatism. Generally if one has a meaningful amount of uncorrected astigmatism it would also impact clarity at other distances and not just distance vision. Before having additional relaxing incisions you might want to get a second opinion and definitive reason for the decreased distance vision. While it could very well be due to the astigmatism, it could be due to other causes or just an inability to tolerate and get the desired performance from that lens implant design-which does cause a considerable contrast reduction. And, it may be that an alternative to the relaxing incisions might provide the beast clarity.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Cataract Surgery Risk & Diabetic Retinopathy

Question: I have had Type 1 Diabetes for close to 34 years and have had vitrectomy and scleral buckle on my right eye 20 years ago along with a gas/fluid exchange. The buckle is still nice and low in that eye and I also developed a cataract and had cataract surgery and a lens implant 8 years ago. I have now developed a cataract in the left eye at age 52. I have also had PRP diabetic retina laser in both eyes. Most of my peripheral vision has been lost in the right eye after the vitrectomy, so my question is, should the cataract surgery be done immediately on my left eye since my quality of life is not being impacted and I still correct to 20/20 in the left eye with full peripheral vision. Are there also greater risks to the cataract surgery now that the PRP was performed years ago? I currently see a retinal specialist and also an ophthalmologist who is a cataract surgeon.

Answer: Generally, the decision to have cataract surgery is up to the patient based on whether there is any decline in quality of life, mobility limitations or safety concerns because of diminished vision from the cataract. If you still correct to 20/20 and do not experience any limitations you can delay the cataract surgery until you judge that it is a problem. There should be no increased risks due to the PRM but your retina specialist will most likely consult with your cataract surgeon and clear the stability of retina and vitreous for surgery when it is time.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Eye Color after Cataract Surgery

Question: When you have cataract surgery does your eye color change or remain the same? I've seen some people's eyes darken or lighten.

Answer: There really should be no change in eye color after cataract surgery unless there is either a complication changing the iris shape or significant inflammation or other complication.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Allergic to Lens Implant Material

Question: My wife has cataracts and needs to have them taken care of, however she is allergic to acrylics and is afraid to have that done for fear that her body will not accept the lens implants. 

Answer: The acrylic materials used in lens implants are typically highly biocompatible and non reactive as they are carefully tested and there is virtually no residual monomer, however there are indeed reports of low grade inflammation in rare patients that are allergic to acrylics. That aside, your wife's cataract surgeon could consult with the lens implant manufacturer and subject her to a test by exposing her to the material perhaps on an underarm area taped for some time or better yet the cataract surgeon could simply use an alternative lens implant material, for example a silicone material or a collagen-silicone material. The best thing to do is to discuss this with the cataract surgeon.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Playing Oboe after Cataract Surgery

Question: Since I play oboe, which requires a rather extreme amount of pressure to blow, would it be advisable to not play for a while after cataract surgery, and how long a time would you think would be advisable?

Answer: The best answer to your question about playing the oboe after cataract surgery really should come from your cataract surgeon as he or she knows the exact course of your surgery, incision status or any potential complications that might have occurred during your cataract operation. That said, the general opinion of cataract surgeons is that waiting a week after an uncomplicated cataract and lens implant surgery should be sufficient to resume your oboe activities.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Cataract Surgery While Pregnant

Question: I am 36 years old and have lost my vision in my right eye due to a cataract. My left eye is becoming more blurry daily. I am 19 weeks pregnant and have been told I cannot have the eye surgery until after my pregnancy from my OB-GYN. I am concerned because I don't want to cause more damage to my eyes by waiting, besides I cannot see. Does this type of surgeryhave risks for the baby?

Answer: Most cataract surgeons would prefer to wait until after the pregnancy to perform cataract surgery. The risks of cataract surgery to the baby are minimal especially if the surgery is performed with eye drop anesthesia and probably even with local anesthesia. Still, there is always risk during surgery and for that reason it is preferable to wait. That said, you do not identify why you have cataracts-and a progressive cataract, and this is more alarming if it is related to your pregnancy and overall health. If you are a high risk pregnancy or have other medical problems, if you not have already done so, you can at least schedule a consultation with a cataract surgeon in your area and allow them to follow your eye health.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Retinal Detachment Risk after Cataract Surgery with High Myopia

Question: I am a 49 year-old male, have had cataracts in my right eye for 7 years which is also extremely myopic with a -12.00 correction. Fortunately, my left eye vision has held up, and I have been able to function normally with my left eye vision for many years. Starting last year, my left eye started to develop cataracts.  I have been myopic my whole life, and my left eye has gone from about -6.5 before I developed cataracts to -7.5 now.  With correction, I used to see 20/20 in both eyes. Now with cataracts, my vision is 20/30 in the left, and almost blind with my right.  I have also developed presbyopia so I need reading glasses in both eyes.

Because I am relatively young and myopic, my ophthalmologists have told me that I am in the high risk category for retinal detachment after cataract surgery. Therefore, I have delayed my cataract surgery for as long as possible. Given that my left eye is getting blurry and my right eye cataract is are getting dense, increasing the cataracts surgery risks, I have decided to get cataract surgery soon.  Given that my left eye is still functional, I have decided to get a cataract surgery in my right eye first, with no plans on the left eye surgery, hopefully until many years later.

I was told that I am left eye dominant, so even with near-blindness in my right eye, I have lived a normal life. If I correct the right eye vision for distance thru the cataract surgery, I was told that I would have to wear contacts on my left eye to balance out the vision. 

My question is as follows:  If I don't wear contacts, but rather wear glasses such that the left eye correction is around -3 (versus full correction of -7.5), and right eye would have no correction (except for reading glasses), would I be able to function for reading and distance?  In other words, given that I am left eye dominant, but after the cataract surgery on the right eye, I will have distance vision on the right eye and partial correction on the left eye through glasses, would my brain be able to function or will I be too dizzy?  I'm just trying to see if I can avoid wearing contacts everyday and still function. Thank you so much for your advice!

Answer: It sounds like you are getting careful consideration from your ophthalmologists who know your situation the best. The decision to have the cataract surgery in the right eye first sounds like a good idea-BUT-you may want to have a thorough evaluation of your retina by a retinal specialist if you have not already done so in order to be sure the retina will withstand the cataract operation and to determine whether any prophylactic treatments of holes, tears, weakening or degeneration might help to reduce your risk of retinal detachment. After clearance by a retinal specialist you can be more confident that you have taken any necessary precautions. Regarding the -3.00 D difference after surgery, it is likely to cause headaches and possibly dizziness if you don’t wear a contact lens. You need to know that the best result is when both eyes have had the cataract surgery and thus while delaying the left eye surgery might seem prudent, it does make things even more risky surgically the longer you delay. Of course this is up to you and your cataract surgeon. You can try the eyeglasses with the -3.00 D difference and see if you tolerate it but it is questionable.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Light Flashes & Floaters after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had cataract surgery 5 months ago on my right eye and am still bothered by flashes of light and floaters. I had been sensitive to sunlight and problems with night driving and my ophthalmologist suggested that I have cataract surgery to correct my distance vision.  I took his advice, he did the surgery and I have regretted ever since. My distance vision of course has improved but the flashing and fluttering that I am experiencing in the outer corner of my eye causes me much frustration. I also am experiencing more floaters than I previously had.  I have returned to his office and have been examined as recent as a month ago but he informs me that I have astigmatism and this is as good as I can expect. The eye examination was done without dilation.  My vision was so much better 5 months ago.  Please inform as to what my recourse is. 

Answer: You do not state whether your cataract surgery was uncomplicated or whether there were cataract surgery complications during your surgery that may have predisposed you to the ongoing flashes of light, floaters or fluttering. Assuming that it was an uneventful cataract operation it is not uncommon for many patients-perhaps 30-50%-who have cataract surgery, to experience a condensation, shrinkage and even a detachment of the vitreous gel, which does often cause the symptoms you describe. In almost all instances these symptoms pass after several months and become unnoticeable. These particular symptoms are not likely to be related to the astigmatism. In addition some patients experience some “light effects’ as they adapt to the vision with a lens implant. For you own satisfaction it might be worth considering getting a second opinion on the status of your vision with a top cataract surgeon in your area.   

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Maine Cataract Surgeons Launch New Web Site for Seniors

Eyecare MedicalGroup has launched a new web site with important patient information to help patients learn about eye diseases and surgery and in particular includes information about advances in technology, treatment and procedures that are especially helpful for senior eye problems. “The EyecareMedical Group cataract surgeons all felt strongly that we needed to use our web site to share information with patients who are at risk of suffering vision loss from cataracts. By understanding more about cataract surgery and lensimplants, we believe seniors will be able to make more informed decisions about their eye health and  not allow vision loss from a cataract to interfere with their daily activities, driving, mobility and overall quality of life,” commented Bruce Cassidy, M.D., a Cataract& Refractive Surgeon. “Further, as the choices of advanced technology lens implants have become more extensive, they have also become more confusing for seniors having cataract surgery. So, we wanted to provide them with easy to understand options," explained Robert Daly, M.D., a Cataract Surgeon &Glaucoma Specialist at EMG in Portland, ME. “As a group, we are quite dedicated to helping patients get the information and education they need. This is especially important when we consider age related eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration,” summarized Cataract Surgeon& Glaucoma Specialist Samuel Solish, M.D.

To learn more about Eyecare Medical Group inPortland Maine, cataracts, cataract surgery or lens implants, you may visit the new web site at www.eyecaremed.com.

Monovision Lens Implant & Distance Vision

Question: I had toric lens put in right eye during cataract surgery with no since I still have to wear glasses for distance. I'm considering monovision lens for left eye so I can still read without glasses. If I do this will glasses enable the left eye to see distance clearly?

Answer: First, if you still need to wear glasses with the toric lens implant for distance, you need to find out why and whether there is a solution to get you seeing better. It is important to know the reason and understand whether it has anything to do with the lens implant, the cataract surgery or the health of your eye-especially the retina. Second, if you now correct the left eye for near-NO-you will not be able to see clearly at distance with the left eye. You need to get better answers from your cataract surgeon and if you are not satisfied seek a second opinion. 

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Multifocal Lens Implant Cost & Decision

Question: Why would a person having cataract surgery settle for monofocal lens implants and still have to use glasses, when he could have a multifocal lens implant? Why are multifocal lenses so expensive?  What is the difference between the different brands of multifocal lenses such as AcrySof®ReSTOR®, Tecnis® and the other brand names?  Medicare said they would pay for the monofocal lensimplant and if you want an advanced lens such as a Tecnis® Multifocal lens implant, the patient would have to pay the difference. Why would the difference be as much as $2500 dollars per eye difference?

Answer: First some patients having cataract surgery don’t mind wearing eyeglasses and thus don’t really see much benefit in electing to have a multifocal lens implant. Second, in order to have the best success with multifocal lens implants it requires careful patient selection in terms of optical characteristics, previous refractive error and overall expectations and ranges of vision the require. They are NOT for everyone. So NOT all patients get the option or choice of a multifocal lens implant-and thus they have to have a monofocal lens implant. Each multifocal les implant type has an optical design that works best for certain eye characteristics and which one to use is really up to the cataract surgeon-NOT the patient. Medicare DOES NOT pay for the correction of near vision or astigmatism after cataract surgery whether it be with eyeglasses, contact lenses or lens implants. This portion of the correction after cataract surgery is the obligation of the patient and NOT Medicare. The incremental fee for multifocal lens implants is the necessary fee to cover the costs associated with considerable incremental preoperative testing, measurement and calculations, plus the cost of the lens implant itself, plus any costs should a lens exchange or power adjustment be necessary. Most patients find this to be a bargain given the multiple long term cost of buying eyeglasses for their lifetime-to say nothing of the improved convenient day to day ability to see clearly at multiple distances.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Risk of Cataract Surgery after Retinal Detachment

Question: I have had 3 surgeries for retinal detachment with laser, vitrectomy and gas bubble, since have developed cataract. What are the risks to my retina with cataract surgery?

Answer: There is some increased risk of having cataract surgery if you have had prior retinal detachments ad surgery. However, IF the retina is well attached, stable and otherwise free of holes, tears, thinning and other degeneration AND your retina surgeon gives you clearance to have the cataract surgery then you can proceed with the expectation of only minimal increased risk of a recurring retinal detachment.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Crystalens® Near Vision

Question: I have high myopia, -7.25. Without my glasses I have very clear vision at 3-6 inches. I am planning to have Crystalens® Lens Implants, will I lose my clear near vision that I have now?

Answer: The fact that you are rather nearsighted does give you clear near vision at close distances. Once your distance vision is corrected after the cataract surgery and Crystalens® Lens Implants it is not likely that you will have the same level of clear vision at 3-6 inches. This could be overcome by your cataract surgeon intentionally overcorrecting your distance vision rendering you a bit nearsighted, however then your distance vision will not be clear. You need to have a thorough discussion with your cataract surgeon so that he or she can understand your preferences and take this into account in the final lens implant calculations.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Symptoms & Images after Cataract Surgery

Question: Approximately a year ago I had cataract surgery after having had LASIK surgery about 13 years prior.  It's been a year now with my new lenses and I still experience the following symptoms at night: 1. all light sources display a flare at 12 and 5 o'clock, and 2. when viewing the moon, I see multiple images at both 12 and 5 o'clock. YAG did not help. What is going on?

Answer: You do not state whether you had cataract surgery with monofocal, aspheric, toric or multifocal lens implants and this might or might not be relevant. The fact that you had LASIK 13 years prior is possibly relevant in that if you did not have either custom wavefrontor wavefront optimized LASIK it is possible that you have some residual optical corneal aberrations from the LASIK that were not corrected as part of the LASIKtreatment. It could also be that the cataract surgery procedure induced these higher order aberrations including distortions called spherical aberration, coma and secondary astigmatism. Using an in office measuring system called an aberrometer, along with a corneal topography measurement-it should be quite possible to rule this in or out. This is the first place a refractive cataract surgeon can look. As you had a YAG Laser Capsulotomy with no improvement in your symptoms it would also be important to determine whether the lens implant is in the proper position in terms of centration. This too is a pretty quick clinical observation. If neither of these paths identifies the cause, then additional retinal testing might be considered. Now, if you have had an aspheric, multifocal or toric lens implant then it begs other questions that might relate directly to the lens implant design ad positioning. Once the cause is determined then your refractive cataract surgeon should be able to offer you possible solutions. 

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Halos with Multifocal Lens Implants

Question: I had LASIK surgery over 15 years ago.  I have been told by an ophthalmologist that multifocal cataract lens implants may create halos around lights.  Have you heard of this?  If so, how often and how bad can it be?

Answer: Multifocal Lens Implants are very complex optical designs of several types. Indeed depending on the optical design some do in fact cause haloes, the degree to which they cause haloes depends n the design, the pupil size, aberrations and other factors. However, it is possible that one of the designs may be of minimal if any problem for you. If you are wishing to consider a multifocal lens implant your cataract surgeon advises against it you may wish to get a second opinion and even a third as different surgeons may not be experienced with each and every lens implant design type. Then, you can make an informed decision

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Too Old for Cataract Surgery

Question:  My mother is 92 years old. She has a little heart trouble, but is generally pretty healthy. Her cataracts have left her vision very poor and getting worse. Is she too old for the cataract surgery?

Answer: The answer simply is NO-she is not too old for cataract surgery. Here is why. First if the health of eyes is otherwise good-especially the center of the retina or the macula-and her overall health is good she will most likely have a good result. But, the results are more than just her vision. Vision loss in seniors is a significant cause of physical and psychological decline. That is, vision loss in seniors really affects quality of life. Find the best cataract surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation for her. If the cataract surgeon feels that she will do well then strongly consider the benefits to her mobility, safety and social interactions improved vision can give her! Best of luck!

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Laser vs. Conventional Cataract Surgery

Question:  I need cataract surgery and my cataract surgeon performs both traditional surgery and laser cataract surgery with the LenSx. Which is better?

Answer: Both conventional cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery will provide good outcomes and results when indicated and performed by a skilled and experienced cataract surgeon. Lasercataract surgery does give the surgeon the ability to deliver a gentler and precise cataract operation in a reproducible manner by consolidating many manual steps under a surgeon controlled laser procedure rather. For eyes that have some concurrent eye problem, disease or condition such as cornea guttata, Fuchs Dystrophy, glaucoma diabetic retinopathy the ability to use lower energy settings and power to remove the cataract may very well be an advantage. In essence, follow the recommendation of your cataract surgeon.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Glaucoma after Cataract Surgery & Toric Lens Implant

Question:  I had cataract surgery and a toric lens implant only in my right eye just over a month ago and at my one month post op exam I was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes which I didn't have before the cataract surgery. Is this possible and way if it is and can it be corrected?

Answer: It is highly unlikely that you would get glaucoma in one eye after having cataract surgery and a toric lens implant in only one eye. It is sometimes possible to have a temporary increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) in the operated eye but it is usually transient. You should discuss this with your cataract surgeon ad if still not satisfied seek a second opinion.    

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.