Wandering Eye & Cataract Surgery

Question: I recently had cataract surgery on my right eye and now have 20/30 vision. My left eye is almost totally opaque and wanders off to the left. My surgeon says cataract surgery would certainly result in double vision. Is this 100% likely?

Answer: If the opaque eye has been amblyopic and thus really functioned poorly prior to the lens becoming cloudy, then cataract removal wouldn’t cause diplopia but of course would result in limited vision. But, this would still allow a better view into the eye to monitor its health overall. If it has drifted more recently and the eye had good vision in the past, then there is the opportunity to rehabilitate it with cataract surgery and then perform muscle surgery afterward to correct the diplopia. You need to have a second opinion with a cataract surgeon is willing to offer you this option if t is possible in your case.

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 Causes Shadow & Drops of Water in Vision

Question: My inquiry is that since I had cataract surgery and a lens implant I have what "appears" to be drops of water, a shadow or something at the corner of my eye that is very frustrating.  Is this a common result of having cataract surgery?  Can anything be done to eliminate this condition? 

Answer: While it is impossible to tell exactly why you are experiencing this shadow or sensation of seeing a drop of water in your vision, it is something that patients report from time to time after cataract surgery and lens implants and is thought to be related to adaptation to the lens implant or “seeing” the edge of the lens implant. In any event it does seem to just fade away over time-which varies from patient to patient.

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.

Rhode Island Seniors on Medicare Advantage May Lose Access to Quality Eye Care and Surgery

Providence, Rhode Island (11/13/2013) It is estimated that about a 100 Rhode Island physicians have been dropped from UHC's Medicare Advantage plans also sold under AARP Medicare Complete.  Physician groups dropped include Koch Eye Associates, the leader in eye care and eye surgery in RI. Koch Eye Associates currently treats approximately 3,000 or 10% of the UHC’s Medicare Advantage members.  While United Health Care has the contractual right to shrink its network, in a small state such as Rhode Island it really threatens to limit access, quality and efficient care for seniors.

Why would UHC Medicare Advantage drop a group like Koch Eye Associates?

“We were shocked and disappointed to receive such a notice since we are a leader in eye care, have the only ophthalmic ambulatory surgery center in the state, follow best clinical practices and have an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to ensure the integration of care both within our group and with physicians in the community. As a result of UHC’s terminations, seniors may have to travel to another state to get their care and even be forced to go to a hospital for cataract surgery,” commented Paul Koch, M.D., Medical Director of Koch Eye Associates.

Perhaps UHC made this decision without knowledge of the local market given a comment made by Jack Larson, UHC’s CEO of Community and State. “We are working to collaborate with a more focused network of physicians to help us provide higher quality and more affordable health care coverage to meet the needs of our members, and help them get more from their health plan benefits.”

Perhaps UHC is trying to reduce their membership of seniors since it appears they are not earning the same quality bonuses experienced by other Medical Advantage Carriers. They seem to be shifting blame to the government.  “Washington is squeezing payments to managed care plans like AARP's — collectively known as Medicare Advantage. The idea is to bring these private plans in line with the cost of original, fee-for-service Medicare,” said Larson.
 
Unfortunately UHC’s recent decision may make it necessary for many seniors to pay more out of pocket or switch doctors. “This is especially troubling for seniors who are on fixed incomes and are under treatment for serious eye diseases such as macular degeneration or diabetic eye problems that require continual care. Having any disruption of care at all has serious consequences. We will continue to see our patients with United Medicare Advantage. It is a shame that they won’t be getting the full benefit from their insurance,” further noted Dr. Koch.

What should seniors do?
1. Make sure you are evaluating your options for coverage.
2. Write to your state representatives asking them to advocate for maintaining access to quality providers and continuity of care.
3. Follow your physician’s advice on how to stay healthy and prevent illness since you are going to be faced with less choice and bigger health care bills in the future.

For additional information, contact:
Katie Carlisle, Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C., 733 Turnpike Street, N. Andover, MA 01845, Katie@aboutcataractsurgery.com, 978-470-8217

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Shimmering after Cataract Surgery

Question: I had left eye cataract surgery 3 weeks ago. If I turn my head slightly to the left or right or look down, my vision is clear, the problem is when I look straight ahead my eye has a flickering or shimmering movement and blurred. Will this clear up on its own-it’s really annoying?

Answer: Shimmering and flickering after cataract surgery and a lens implant is not uncommon. There is some thought that it is the result of the edge and geometric shape of the lens implant and some resultant reflections. In almost all instances people adapt to the sensation and it becomes unnoticeable over time-please be patient. HOWEVER, if it is accompanied by floaters, a “bubble” in your vision, distortion or bending of your vision or the sensation of a curtain or veil before your eyes please contact your cataract surgeon immediately as this suggests the onset of a more serious retina problem.

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.

Cloudy, Double Vision after Cataract Surgery

Question: It has been 7-8 months since my cataract surgery which was great at first. Now it seems like my lens is cloudy and I see double out of my right eye. What should I expect from my surgeon?

Answer: First, you need to schedule an appointment to see your cataract surgeon so that he or she can determine the cause of your change in vision. It is important to have a proper diagnosis made so that the vision change can be addressed. While you relate it to the cataract surgery-which it may be-it is also possible that it is due to other issues that might involve the retina or even the cornea. It is not uncommon for some patents having cataract surgery to experience posterior capsular opacification whereby the lens capsule left in place to support the lens implant becomes cloudy. If this is the problem, it is quickly treated with a YAG Laser Capsulotomy and vision is restored. BUT, you need to find out the reason for the cloudy, double vision. See your cataract surgeon and follow their advice. 

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.