TromboneChat

I had my cataract surgery about 2-1/2 years ago. My vision wasn't spectacular after that, but a little better, and brighter, which was my main issue.

I am now having the very typical complication of PCO, or Posterior Capsule Opacification, which is apparently very common and easy to clean up with laser surgery. My vision has been very blurry for the past two months, and at this point it's almost impossible to read my phone or computer without significant magnification. And rehearsals and gigs have been a real challenge. I'm wearing 1.5 reading glasses on top of my regular glasses, and I can see OK from about 6 or 8 inches away.

I had to wait 6 weeks for my ophthalmologist appointment, and now I'm having the laser done on one eye next Wednesday and the other two weeks later.

Has anybody else here gone through this?

Christ, that sounds awful. Sorry to hear that Doug. I have no advice I'm afraid, just best wishes.

Never gone through cataract surgery (though it may be in my future), but if you find yourself needing to stack reading glasses on top of your regular glasses, you might want to try clip-on magnifiers like these.

Yes, I had cataract surgery on one eye about four months ago where I only had 50% vision. I now have almost 100% vision in that eye, so I wanted to have the same procedure done on the other eye, where my vision is currently about 90%. However, I wasn't given a referral to surgery for that eye. It isn't bad enough which means I'll have to pay more out of pocket.
The surgery on one eye only cost me about $25 on the eye they did because we have subsidized healthcare. Of course, that only covered the most basic type of lens.
The reason I want to have the other eye done is that I still have trouble reading sheet music with that eye. I especially notice it when the bell blocks the view from my better eye.
Before the surgery, I had 12 different pairs of glasses to handle all kinds of situations. One pair was a set of magnifying reading glasses that worked very well. I bought them on Amazon for about $20. They work really well for some people when reading, but not for everyone. It depends on your vision. If you can use simple reading glasses and you're nearsighted like I am, they might work well for you too.
They make it much easier to read on your phone, read newspapers, do crossword puzzles, and so on, because everything appears larger. Unfortunately, they don't work for playing music because the distance to the sheet music
I've let a few of my friends try them, and two of them ordered a pair immediately.
As for the follow-up treatment when the cloudiness returns, I haven't reached that stage myself yet, but my father is having that procedure done in the next few days. As I understand it, they remove the thin membrane that sometimes forms on the surface behind the implanted lens over time. It's supposed to be a very simple procedure.

/Tom

I had the cataract surgery several years ago followed fairly quickly by the laser surgery - capsulotomy?

My vision was not bad at that point but the doctors said the laser procedure was needed. I think it was done within a couple weeks after.

Anyway, I see really well now, especially compared to how I saw for several years before the two procedures.

The laser part removes the capsule in front of the lens, so any cloudiness from that is gone.

The procedure itself does not take long and is not painful. I am kind of phobic about anything touching my eyes and I found it EXTREMELY stressful mentally, but not physically.

The wife of one of my tbone friends is going through post cataract surgery corrections. Apparently the prognosis of the procedure is good, but the time leading up to it can be stressful. Best of luck to you, Doug.

I've never had laser eye surgery but my boyfriend did, back in the 90s, to attempt to nail down his detaching retinas. What came out was the most spectacularly bloodshot eye you can possibly imagine. All red, no white.

That slowly dissipated over a couple of weeks

His vision was never good and this was just to try to slow the deterioration.

Your situation sounds much more promising. May you have a highly-beneficial outcome!

Had cataracts in the 90s, both eyes. A few months after surgery left eye went fuzzy. Cataract surgeon found PCO, said it’s quite common. Few laser blasts and has been good ever since. About 2 years ago right eye getting fuzzy. Niece (Also known as my eye doc) found the problem pretty quick. Only commented unusual one eye went pretty quick and second eye waited 20 some years. Laser blast in right eye and all was well until recently. Right eye little fuzzy at distance. Had bad astigmatism years ago when glasses were first thing on in the morning and last thing off at night. Didn’t need any correction after cataract surgery, left eye reading eye and right distance eye. Niece said as in the past when I’d need prescription changes at times, my eye has changed thru the years. Prescription lens with slight correction needed now for right eye and nothing yet is needed for left. Monocular time or plano left lens…

After laser treatment, painless I might add, results are permanent (reportedly) and immediate.