Re: need advice about after cataract surgery

"Joanie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: 

> Hi' Everyone,
> I am new to this group, but I hope someone will be able to give me
> some advice.
> I had a cataract extraction and lens implant just over two weeks ago
> and I was told to take the lens out of my multi focal glasses, the
> doctor didn't tell me it was his assistant. However, this felt really
> weird. I rang back and she said cover the frame with something like a
> tissue and just use the other eye.
> I'm worried that the eye that I had done will become lazy, I'm just
> guessing. Also, the eye I'm using is feeling very strained.
> Would someone be able to tell me if it is okay to just use the old
> lens (that I took out). I don't see the doctor till the 14th December
> and I'm getting worried.
> Also, should I be seeing things really well yet. My eye sight has been
> bad for years, long lighted, and I know that having the cataract
> removed doesn't improve that, but I still seem to have some cloudiness
> there. Any advice appreciated.
> Joan.
> 
> 
It sounds like you have normal concerns after surgery.  I am surprised, 
though, that the assistant didn't give you a handout explaining the 
process.  Two weeks out is a little too early to predict the final surgical 
outcome.  A little cloudiness at this point may be normal, so long as 
things are generally improving instead of getting worse, the eye isn't red, 
and there is no pain.

The assistant told you to remove the lens from your eyeglasses because the 
prescription is no longer appropriate.  If cataract surgery is planned for 
the fellow eye shortly, then the implant is usually calculated to achieve a 
state such that glasses are not needed for driving.  However, if the 
prescription in the fellow eye is rather high, and no cataract surgery is 
anticipated in that eye for some time, the power of the implant may be 
calculated to achieve a result such that you will be comfortable wearing 
corrective lenses.  Having said that, the actual results typically vary, 
and eyeglasses are sometimes needed to correct residual refractive error 
despite the surgeon's best efforts.

Finally, the eye will not become "lazy" under these circumstances.  I 
suggest you call their office for some reassurance.

DrG