Why Am I Seeing Double After Toric Lens Implant?
March 2, 2011
I had cataract surgery and a toric lens put in about 3 weeks ago, now my depth perception is way off and I can’t drive to work. The eye that isn’t done yet has a bifocal lens in the glasses and I have put clear glass in the eye that had the surgery. First thing in the morning, I see double, by the end of the day it’s not too bad. Is this all going to clear up when I get my other eye done?
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148 Responses to “Why Am I Seeing Double After Toric Lens Implant?”
floaters are unrelated to cataract surgery- we get them no matter what.
starbursts are common with cataracts, but yes- some patients still have them after cataracts are removed. somehow, the implant scatters the light.
if the capsule is scattering the light, then a yag is the correct procedure. im sorry it didnt help.
a close look at the retina with oct may be in order to rule out an epiretinal membrane.
your symptoms have nothing to do with the toricity of the implant.
I had toric lenses placed in both eyes about 2 years ago. I had issues and my doctor kept brushing it off. I saw a second opinion who did yag on my bad eye. It made it worse. The star bursts at night are so bad that I wear sunglasses to drive at night or put a patch over the eye. The second opinion suggested that he could ‘try’ putting a lense in front of the lens to see if that helps and if not he woudl remove it. He got the idea from a list serve he was one. I said no. I saw a 3rd doctor and he said at this point there is nothing that can be done and I have to live with it. Now my good eye is getting worse. I see a lot of curly floaties and they do not go away. They are fairly large. I am now getting flashing of light (a vertical line) when I move my eye from one side to the other. The line is on the outside. So when I am reading, I keep seeing this line. It is by far worse at night. But it is there during teh day as well. The floaties are beginnign to interfere wtih seeing. What is going on? I no longer trust any of the doctors as I do nto think I even needed teh cataract surgery. I was told taht it would eliminate the star bursts at night that kept getting worse. It did not. I was told that I would not need glasses and after I was told that I should have glasses. I woudl not have spent $2500 and I woudl not have had surgery if I was not strong-armed by teh staff and the doctor. The notes were cryptic – just said teh cataracts were getting worse. I had the surgery when I was 57.
My eye challenges continue. Firstly, I had a vitrectomy to repair a macular hole in my left eye last November. I can’t tell you how big the hole was but prior to surgery basically everything in my central line of vision was blank. Post surgery, all tests indicate hole has been closed (my surgeon is please with the results from an anatomical standpoint), however I still have a small blind spot which is likely there to stay. As expected, I developed a cataract and 2 weeks ago had a toric lens implanted. Whites are whiter than white compared to my “good eye” however after about one week, my vision became fuzzier and fuzzier plus my blind spot was intensified. Went back to surgeon this morning, as I suspected, my lense shifted. I’m back in next Tuesday for what I’m told is a minor correction. Naturally, I’m concerned especially after all I’ve been through. How common is it for a lense to shift post op? Bottom line What should I expect after the lense is repositioned?
dee- sometimes vision can take a few weeks, or rarely a few months, to fully come back to normal. if after a few weeks still not right, you need testing, and you should not have second eye done until your doctor can explain why your vision is not normal.
billie–the toric lens fixes the astigmatism. mono means you are correcting one eye for distance and 1 eye for near, so that you can read a fair amount with no glasses. but mono is not perfect, as it gives you 2 different prescriptions in your eyes so they are not in perfect balance. if you want super sharp vision, forget the mono and get implants so you can either have both eyes for reading (and wear glasses for distance), or vice versa. it all depends on how motivated you are not to have to wear glasses. mono is a compromise, but most people like it.
the “double vision” is usually due to the cataract causing ghosting or glare. if you still have this after cataract surgery, and the doctor cant/wont explain why, then you need a second opinion.
toric lenses do not cause double vision.
I had a toric lens that replaced the lens covered by Medicare done in my left eye because of astigmatism. This was supposed to correct the double vision I have with bright lights only. This did not correct the problem. Now the doctor suggested I have the other right dominant eye done with the new toric lens for astigmatism. Will this correct the double vision I have with bright lights?
Oh my! I am a 60 year old woman with Cataracts, wear tri-focal glasses, have astigmatism & need glasses for driving and watching TV. I am scheduled for surgery and doctor has suggested the Toric lens and mono lens. I am told that I probably will not need glasses except for extended driving or reading. After reading about all the problems people have had I am so very concerned. Thinking I should for go the Toric lens and just wear glasses for driving and TV. Are there any statistics you can share tht might be reassuring ? Am beside myself as to what to do. I depend heavily on commuting for work. HELP!
I am grateful that I found this website! Had a Toric Lens implanted in my right eye during cataract surgery on 7/17. At my follow-up appointment the next day the nurse had me cover my left eye and read the eye chart. I was surprised I could not read any of the letters which appeared to be out of focus. Is this normal? Is this a sign of incorrect placement of the lens? When I spoke to the nurse about it she responded that my eye was still in the process of healing. My distance vision has greatly improved, but I want to make sure what I am experiencing is expected the day after surgery.
ann baker-the toric lens has nothing to do with the double vision. double vision is a rare complication of cataract surgery
ann taylor- if you see better with glasses, that means the toric lens may have indeed rotated. you may want to have the lens rotated back into position- if he wont consider it, get a second opinion. there is some risk with that surgery, though. maybe you should stick to the glasses,
you are describing one of the side effects of the lens, which should have been told to you before the surgery. having it removed and replaced is your best option, but there are some risks.
It will be one year to date next mont that I had a Acry SPF iq ReStor Multifpcal iol inplant into my left eye! What a mistake! I have constant blurred vision bright lights are like looking directly into the sun. My eye feels like I always have sand in it not to mention I can no longer work! This Lens was put inbt a Retinal specialist and I feel I should have been advised more on this lens. But I think he only saw DOLLAR signs! I have seen SIX doctors since this surgery and they all seem to think it should never have been implanted in the first place! They say just live with it . To have it removed is more expense and there is no guarantee my vision will be any better! My advice to anyone who is thinking of getting a lens implant don’t! Especially if your cadracts are slight. Keep your money in your pocket and what vision you have! Once they have your money they the docs will tell you anything!
I had cataract surgery on right eye and it turned out wonderful- had a torq lens in left eye because I was told I had astigmatism in left eye- ever since that surgery five weeks ago I have double vsion with no improvement in it – I was told the torq lens would correct my vision problems and I would probably only need reading glasses. This has been terrible Is regret having the second surgery- and I did speak up – immediately – told them in the recovery room I had double vision when they put the dressing on – scheduled for a doctor who specializes in double vision and I will have to have prism glasses- what are these and what are my options. I feel this doctor has ruined my eyes.
I had toric lenses implanted in both eyes approximately 1 month apart. The right eye is 20/15 and doing great. The left eye was 20/25 and I was pleased. However, on my last visit to the Dr. I could see hardly anything with the left eye. The eye chart was blurry and shadows around the letters and I could not tell what they were. I was very discouraged and told the Dr. so which he did not appreciate. I paid $1400 each for these lenses and yet the left one that was okay is not now. The Dr. offered no solution other than glasses which is why I went with Toric so I would not wear glasses for distant vision. He brushed me off and made my next appointment with a Dr. of Optometry instead of him ( he is supposed to be the expert). Is it possible the lense has slipped out of position and can the lense be adjusted?
I’m a 51 year old truck driver that has recently started eye surgery for cataracts. Had my Rt. none dominate eye done with a Toric IOL June 13, 2013. My second on will be done on the 24th of June. Not really sure why I have cataracts at such an early age. I’m not your typical truck driver, I’m very health conscious, eat right, plenty of sleep, do Triathlons, big mountain biker but running is my sport. It took 5 marathons to qualify for Boston which I ran this year in April. So here is my question: when I was in the Clinic doing testing for my RX, the Dr. told me he would most likely be using a T3 Toric. But the surgeon put in a T4. which corrects for 1.55 at the corneal plane. I believe my eye was right at 1.0. When I got out of surgery I tested at 20/30 now am pushing 20/25 please don’t get me wrong I’m happy but I wonder if the extra cylinder power was necessary? Do we need more cylinder power when we grow older? Or was this most likely done to better match my dominate eye when it gets done? Thanks Ari in advance, I have really enjoyed your insightful comments to the others on this site.
Yes I to have had Toric Lens Implants in March 2013.My left eye first ,it was great could read without glasses,but when I had the right eye done it changed every
thing my I became near sighted and now I notice my vision got worse .I also have white clouds of floaters and shadows.My left Toric lens has shifted when I went back last week to my Dr. He says it’s better to leave alone then fix the problem.
Had to get glasses to drive and watch tv but it’s better than wearing glasses all the time. Guess i’llhave to put up with the floaters too.
of course you should be. ask the doctor why the vision is blurred. if you dont get a reasonable answer, see another doctor asap.
My mother had cataract surgery with TORIC implants approximately 3/4 weeks ago. Suddenly, she started to experience blurred vision. It’s now been almost 2 weeks and she still has the same symptom ~ blurred vision. She did see the doctor who performed the surgery and the doc said everything was fine and put some eyedrops in her eyes at her appointment??? what’s this all about ~ the blurred vision was not even addressed. Should we be concerned???
if 2 doctors were there, it sounds like you went to a clinic/teaching hospital and not a private office. so very likely you operated on by a resident supervised by an attending, with students watching. so as i said, the poor results have nothing to do with the implant. zero. it has everything to do with the fact that you had a difficult operation which took 4 hours. i am sorry about that.
Four hours is correct. In at 710 am, out at 11 am (to recovery room). Probably a teaching experience because there were two dr’s doing the work and three more observing.
Might be impossible but I cannot read the letters on a stop sign from 50 feet away with the bad eye. My initial visit to start this process was absolutely the worst decision I ever made, so I don’t plan on a second opinion (besides, the cost is way beyond my means since I no longer can work in my lifelong profession).
im afraid that makes no sense, it is impossible for these implants to give poor vision uncorrected by glasses. impossible. i suggest strongly you get a second opinion as to why you dont see well. it has nothing to do with the implants. and i dont understand what 4 hours of corrective surgery means. even a corneal transplant only takes an hour tops. something else clearly is going on.
