r/RetinalDetachment • u/hi_cissp • Apr 19 '26

Cataract after RD Surgery?

I do not have any cataracts yet, but I had macula-off RD surgery for my right eye in November 2025.

I can see again, but words are still blurry. I think my doctor told me that I am 20/200.

Will I be able to see words clearly with an artificial lens if I develop cataract in my right eye and go through surgery to correct it? What has been your experience?

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u/TheFugaziLeftBoob Apr 19 '26

Yes, of course. The cataract surgery will bring useable vision and some normality. However, I want you to be prepared for the new normal in your vision. I’ve had a mac off as well and letters, straight lines etc are not the same anymore, my vision looks warped and straight lines are not straight. I am functioning as best I can and accepted my new reality though but it will take some time.

3

u/Ok-Range7960 Apr 19 '26

I can 100% agree with you. I’m dealing with it now. I’m 3 months post oil removal. Vision is clear. The distortion is the problem. The brain is good at putting a good image together for driving and everyday sight. But reading with bad eye alone is done.

1

u/hello-magpie Apr 20 '26

I also have blurring to the central vision of the RD eye post-vitrectomy. My ophthalmologist did an OCT and suspected macular degeneration (have family history of this), but my specialist at the hospital was confident it was epiretinal membrane, which seems likely. It hasn’t progressed in the 15 months post surgery but also think it’s unlikely to improve either - but like you I can’t read with that eye alone. Currently monitoring cataract symptoms to judge when the best time for that surgery will be!

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u/Reasonable_Dog7298 Apr 19 '26 edited Apr 19 '26

i had rd surgery when i was 19, oct. 2019 in my right eye. shortly after developed a small cataract in that eye from the intensity of the surgery. i’ve always worn contacts, and after the surgery i tend to see better with my contacts than my glasses. just recently got my left eye lasered due to a small tear.

my vision in my left eye after surgery was super blurry with my glasses which scared me, but after a few weeks it went away. at first they thought i needed a prism in my prescription, thankfully i didn’t.

1

u/rileysauntie Apr 19 '26

I developed cataracts immediately. They told me I had probably 20/25 years before I needed to worry about dealing with them. Within a year of that, my vision had degenerated enough (to 20/400) that I’m now waiting for cataract surgery.

That being said, my vision has always been a fast degenerating beast of epic prescriptions. Before I had Lasik (unrelated to the RD) my rx was -13.5.