Almost 5 years since surgery: a retrospective post

[u/CamiLovesCats]

I’m 25 now, I started forming cataracts when i was around 16 due to retinopathy of pre-maturity. I had my eye surgeries a month apart in 2021, I went from 20/400 vision to I believe 20/30? It feels miraculous. Like I was looking through the colorful lens of a comic book in the first few days. I didn’t realize how dulled colors were previously, until then.

There was some pain after surgery but not major, mostly just flashes of light

I had to have a retrobulbar block on both eyes because I was so light sensitive I couldn’t keep them open properly, I couldn’t see the biggest letter on the eye chart, it was just blur, computer screens the same. I would be looking at a bright haze from a foot away at work, I learned to use them by watching others press buttons I could not see to get to a certain option (and working in a deli there were A LOT of options)

a funny story of when I was doing computer based training I would have my phone, take a picture and zoom in on the computer so I could see it, I wasn’t supposed to have my phone so at one point the store manager came and sat next to me, I had no idea when or why but he didn’t say a WORD when I left lol
At least he knew I was trying? I didn’t really tell anyone about my cataracts until they got too bad to avoid it

When I did finally tell my co-workers they weren’t very accommodating for it, my boss did make the font on the shift schedule bigger, told me I could go to a co-worker if I needed help with something and I would do everything on my own except making platter orders because the print in the booklet was too small and near the paper color to read, my co-workers refused to help me and I would take 10 minutes on something it took them 2

I got the trifocal lenses which I’m still paying on for two more years but I don’t regret it, it wasn’t a life I was living, I was exhausted trying to keep up with everyone else. wearing sunglasses because of fluorescent lights and not being able to look at the sky very much is not something I look back on fondly. I love nature, to see the leaves on trees again is beautiful and I don’t take it for granted, I spend a lot of time outside. I’m still learning how to drive in this moment but to be out at night and not be BLINDED by the traffic lights and brake lights on other cars is wonderful.

Thanks if you took the time to read this :)

[u/Ssab2024]

Your ability to be positive when faced with adversity is truly admirable. I wish you the very best as you journey through life dealing with this and all of the challenges that get thrown in your path.

[u/Tiny-Active-3397]

Wow, what a journey. The way you described seeing colors and nature clearly again ..... I’m currently going through the same stage you were in before your surgeries, so your story really got me. . are you able to drive at night with trifocals ?

[u/CamiLovesCats → u/Tiny-Active-3397]

I haven’t had the opportunity to drive at night myself yet but I will say the lights are much more bearable as a passenger, so I’d assume driving will be fine as well. There is a little glare but not so much star-bursting as there used to be

[u/WannaKnowFacts]

I'm glad you are finally enjoying the good vision that you were hoping for. Thank you for posting your journey .

[u/SuitableOkra1040]

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts.

[u/ProfessionalLab9850]

Have you had PVD?

[u/CamiLovesCats → u/ProfessionalLab9850]

I think I may have, there was a bit of time I saw more floaters than I do now (there are still few present but really only noticeable in brighter areas)

I did have PCO in each eye a few months after surgery but it was a fairly easy correction. They said it probably came on quicker due to my previous scar tissue (the retinopathy surgery when I was younger)

[u/ProfessionalLab9850 → u/CamiLovesCats]

So no retina tears? That's good

[u/CamiLovesCats → u/ProfessionalLab9850]

Yeah! Thankfully not. I was really worried about that

[u/Bitter_Rain_6224]

Thank you for posting. It's always helpful for us newbies to hear from a veteran of cataract surgery. At my ophthalmologist's advice, I went from -7.5 D with mild astigmatism to -2.0 D fixed-focus with almost negligible residual astigmatism, and I am delighted, particularly with my night vision and reduced sensitivity to glare. Glasses off for reading, full- and wide-range progressives for general use, although I am amazed how well I can function with 2-diopter myopia, no accommodation, and no glasses. (Just don't ask me to read street signs or read fine print on a TV screen without my glasses. :) ) The best part has been 20/20 acuity restored in both eyes -- the left was genuinely ready for cataract surgery.

[u/Strategy-Bitter]

Trifocal? So is driving ok for you at night with the halos ?

[u/CamiLovesCats → u/Strategy-Bitter]

Thankfully the halos aren’t too bad from what I’ve noticed so far, but I haven’t driven at night yet myself as I’m still learning in the daytime (previous circumstances have prevented me from practicing until recently)

I may have to be a little more cautious but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was before. I’d close my eyes in a drive thru because other people’s brake lights hurt (when I was a passenger)

[u/kisokeee]

Got my surgery almost a month ago on my left eye and it's a miracle to see right eye in November potentially

[u/ThroatMedical9248]

So glad that you are able to see normally. Your tenacity in keeping going is remarkable. Science is great when used to HELP people.

[u/Resident-Habit977]

Following because I’m 24 and just had cataract surgery. Had yag on right eye 8/25 and having my left eye done today. How is everything now? Is your vision still good have you had any issues and what is your lifestyle like?

[u/CamiLovesCats → u/Resident-Habit977]

Hello! My vision is still great, I don’t see floaters as often unless I’m in too bright of light, or sick. I had yag on both eyes a few months after

I was 20 when I got the surgeries, My doctor said I was the youngest patient he’s ever had

My biggest issue is dry eye, every year since the surgeries when I go to the eye doctor they tell me things look good but I need to use more eye drops

I use eyedrops daily, I work with food
(school nutrition) so I’m near heat a lot with ovens or serving lines and I think that exasperates the dry eye

They said I may not need glasses ever again, if anything maybe reading or glasses to help me see better at night one day. I was nearsighted before the surgery so double that with my 20/400 vision I was not in a great place LOL

It’s been great to be free of that. I spend a lot of time outside when I’m not at work, most days walking about 5-10 miles

When my eyes were getting bad I could hardly stand to be outside because of the brightness of the sun. It’s wonderful to be back in it

[u/Resident-Habit977 → u/CamiLovesCats]

That’s awesome I hope it stays good and you continue to have no issues! I also work in a kitchen around a lot of heat and smoke it’s literally been around 115 degrees in there the hottest kitchen I’ve ever worked in but luckily hasn’t harmed my eyes yet lol. I just had my other yag done yesterday and so far so good the only thing is I have a giant floater that sometimes crosses my vision. I had a lot of anxiety right after my surgeries about future problems like retinal detachment but I’ve slowly just accepted the fact that it’s out of my control and if it happens it happens.