Distorted Vision & Spots after Cataract Surgery

Question: I am 51 and I had cataract surgery two months ago. My vision has not improved and is worse. It is blurry both day and night along with being all distorted.  I also have a lot of black spots and blotches in my vision. I can see this film moving all around when I look around. My cataract surgeon said the lens is fine it's just the gel that I'm seeing. What should I do?

Answer: It is difficult to know exactly what is happening without a careful clinical exam. However, from your description there are a number of things to be considered as to why your vision is distorted, blurry and you are seeing spots after cataract surgery. First, the inside of the eye is filled with a gel called the Vitreous. It is not uncommon for the Vitreous gel to shrink, collapse and pull away or detach from the retina after cataract surgery. In fact the studies suggest that more than 50% of patients who have cataract surgery do indeed experience some kind of Vitreous gel detachment or irregularity after cataract surgery. 

This phenomenon called Vitreous Detachment can result is the spots and perhaps the distortion that you are experiencing. The risk is whether the Vitreous gel is also pulling on the retina and even causing it to tear or detach resulting in “distortion”. This needs to be carefully examined. Also, sometimes people with continued blurred vision two months after cataract surgery along with a Vitreous detachment might also be experiencing some swelling of the Macula area of the retina. One would suspect your cataract surgeon has ruled these problems out through a thorough examination. If you are not clear or are not satisfied with the explanation being provided by your cataract surgeon it is never inappropriate to have a second opinion. Based on the symptoms and concerns you relay one might consider a second opinion with a retina specialist rather a cataract surgeon at this 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.

Cataract Surgery Complications Decline

Cataract Surgery complications declined by approximately 20% in the most risk prone group of Medicare patients treated between 1994-1995 as compared to those having Cataract Surgery between 2005-2006 according to a study in the June 2011 Ophthalmology journal that evaluated some 220,000 patients. It is interesting to note that one half of one percent (0.5%) had a severe complication and that these were typically associated with a prior diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy or who were having another intraocular eye surgery procedure on the day of their Cataract Surgery. Among the least risk prone group of patients having Cataract Surgery the complication rate declined by 48%. The authors concluded that it would be important to find ways to reduce the severe adverse events in high risk groups as research goes forward.

Decreased Vision after Cataract Surgery

Question: About a year ago I had a Cataract removed from my left eye. There were some complications and it was painful but afterwards my vision was clear (20/20) and colors were brilliant. However I has a slight shadow image. A month ago I had laser treatment to eliminate the slight shadow. After the treatment my vision was dark and blurred. White is a dark gray and everything is fuzzy like I'm looking through a screen. My shadow image is larger and I have been having headaches ever since the laser treatment. It is like I am wearing someone else's glasses but the right lens is clear and left is like looking through a screen. It's almost like my Cataract has returned. My Retina, Optic Nerve, Macula and Cornea are normal. What other things could go wrong in after Cataract laser treatment. Before treatment I could read a book a day. Now I have trouble reading a few sentences without straining my eye. I have trouble seeing anything near or far. My doctor doesn't know what is wrong and wants to wait and see what happens. It gives me a headache and makes me feel dizzy. If I cover my left with a patch, I feel fine. Any thoughts you have on this will be greatly appreciated. I am a minister and need my eyes to read and study, along with the normal needs we have for vision. Thank you.


Answer: What you are describing is not normal or expected after Cataract Surgery or after YAG Laser Capsulotomy to clear an opening in a cloudy lens capsule after Cataract Surgery. While you relay that your Retina, Macula, Optic Nerve and Cornea are normal, it might be worthwhile to have second opinion with a Corneal Specialist who is also a top Cataract Surgeon as well as a Retinal Specialist, as another look at the health of the Retina, Macula and Cornea using additional technology and imaging techniques might provide further insight. If these consultations provided no additional diagnosis, then you might wish to consider a consultation with a Neuro-Ophthalmologist as well in order to confirm the health of the Optic Nerve. A second opinion on these symptoms should be welcomed by your primary 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 of 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.