Slightly off topic but optom help needed please!

[Michael P]

I had cataract surgery on my left eye last February and about 6 weeks ago I noticed that my vision in this eye had fallen away somewhat both with and without an RGP lens.

On Sunday morning I was seeing what appeared to be quite large black dots. Today I woke up to seeing loads of tiny dots floating around on what looks like an oil slick and vision intermittently cloudy. The cloudy film is more of a problem than the dots.

I also started piggybacking about 6 weeks ago using daily disposable lenses.

Could this be a side effect of the cataract and will it go away or could it be more serious such as a detached retina? Or could it be something to do with a lack of oxygen to the eye due to piggybacking?

I actually had a full sight test a week ago and whilst I did mention seeing something like an oil slick moving around my left eye, the only comment the optom made was that I had scarring due to the KC. The posterior capsule was apparantly clear. Can I take it that the optom would have noticed if the retina was detached?

Every time one problem is resolved, or at least brought under control, a new one rears it's ugly head!

[John Smith]

I share your concern, Michael. I hope you get an answer to your question quickly.

[Elizabeth R]

michael you need to go back to see your consultant. and get some adbice .and get a appointments to see ken pullum.I hope you are well.

[GarethB]

Michael

Sounds like you have floaters!

Mine became apparent after my grafts,so might be that you vision has changed to a point you can see them post cataract op.

Still best to get them checked to make sure all is well.

[Pat A]

Michael
I'm no optom (as you well know!) but do get this checked out quickly. Cataract surgery can exacerbate detached retinas as well as floaters. And if it's the former you need early detection and treatment. If the latter it's a pain in the proverbial but you will get used to them - eventually.
But the cloudy vision could well be due to the lens capsule becoming opaque - I have this problem too following my cataract surgery and I've been told laser treatment may well be needed in the not too distant future.

Pat
PS. I'll be sending you a Pm in the next 24 hrs........

[Pat A]

....sorry - meant to mention - it is difficult for an optom, (optoms now shout me down!!) unless he has the right equipment to check whether the lens capsule is clear. Mine had to use special equipment to find my opacities - he couldn't see them from a normal exam.

[Michael P]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Pat, I believe the capsule is clear, at least that is what the optom at Costcos told me.

Gareth, my initial reaction is that you are probably right and indeed, my brother has floaters which are driving him round the bend.

This problem seems to have developed over the past month or so which makes me a little concerned that it could be a tear in the retina which, as you say Pat, can follow cataract surgery.

I am probably worrying unecessarily but I will make an early visit to MEH tomorrow morning just to be on the safe side.

[Andrew MacLean]

Good idea Michael.

Let us know how you get on at MEH

Andrew

[Michael P]

Panic over, retina fine .

I seem to have a pretty large floater which, hopefully I will get used to.

All part of the ageing process for us wrinklies over the age of 50 .

After my examination the optom/comsultant reached into a large large tray full of leaflets containing information for patients with flashes and floaters and handed me one. They obviously see a whole load of patients like me!

[Andrew MacLean]

Phew!

Glad to know the news is good. I see floaters now, since my cataract op (also in Feb). Actually I don't see my floaters when I am looking aar away; I really just see them when I am looking into the nearly-near distance at my computer screen. I think it must have something to do with focus.

All the best, Michael

Andrew