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cataract surgery & complications from meniere's disease

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(@donmeyer)
New Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  
 
my optometrist told me a have moderate cataract and i am considering the possibility of surgery
as I have found a number of options in replacement lenses
1. single focal lens
2.bifocal lenses
3. one eye for distance and one eye for reading/ computer
I am wondering if anyone might have had this procedure and can offer any information on your results.
and how it effected your menieres ( if at all)
 
I have had bifocal glasses in the past that would make my meniere's flair up
but I don't know if this would be an issue with cataract replacement lenses

   
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(@andi-bloom)
VeDA Staff
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hi Don, 

VeDA has an article on vestibular patients and cataract surgery that you may find helpful titled "Post-Operative Balance Issues Following Cataract Surgery." If you need any other resources, feel free to contact VeDA's Community Support Coordinator at info@vestibular.org. 

 

-Andi Bloom


   
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(@shilinski)
New Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hi Don,

If one has a vestibular disorder, than just get one type of corrective lens - DO NOT get one corrective lens for distance and then another for reading - that could seriously aggravate one's vestibular order.  There are a number of factors to  consider when choosing what type of corrective replacement lens to get:   What activities do you do the most, and how bad is your distance vision and do you have a moderate to severe astigmatism on top of that?  

If your cataracts are "moderate" then maybe it's not time to consider surgery - what did your opthamologist say (excuse the misspelling)?  If you're noticing that you're no longer seeing as well with your distance corrective glasses, especially at night, then maybe it's time. But don't do the procedure if it's not absolutely needed at this time.

Why?  Because if you have a vestibular disorder like we do, then your adjustment period might not be that smooth and it might take somewhat longer, and your symptoms could be aggravated in the short-term.  I had my cataracts removed in the first few months of 2019.  I don't have Meniere's but I do have a damaged/dead vestibular-cochlear nerve on the right side (since Dec. 2016), along with hearing loss, postural vertigo, the usual imbalance with turning my head suddenly or navigating uneven terrain, and, most significantly, chronic vestibular migraines that can persist for two to three weeks at a time.   

Though I now love my new eyes and having sharp distant vision, my adaptation to these new replacement lens did take some time, maybe up to 6 months.  I had chosen to get the special Toric lens because they help correct severe astigmatism.   Following the second procedure, my migraines began occurring almost daily over the next 4-6 months.   My simplistic interpretation of this occurrence is that my brain was adjusting to my new eyes as one's eyes play a more prominent role when the inner ear's vestibular center gets damaged.   Don't know if that's really the case or not, but until I hear differently from an expert . . . 

Bottom line:  Wait until you absolutely need the surgery and choose only ONE type of corrective lens for both eyes, not one of each.  

P.S.  I hope you're OK with all these fires happening in S. Oregon.


   
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(@placapra)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 1
 

Hi Don,

Let me give you a little background so you compare the severity of our illnesses. I have had vestibular disorder for almost four years now. My main problems were dizziness, imbalance, and sway when walking, no migraine and no ringing in the ears. I got diagnosed in March 2017 where I failed the balanced chair rotary test big time. I was lucky to have a very good vestibular therapist. I went through vestibular rehab therapy for several months and gradually once my brain was retrained I got better and with lifestyle changes.  Only a few times that I had serious relapses when I had major life stresses and situations when things were out of control.  

In November 2017, I had eye operations, the kind that implanted multi-focal lenses.  The monovision type was never presented to me as an option.  I find it very strange to have each eye functions differently- so much coordination between the two eyes and the brain, the balance organ etc. My operations on each eye were two weeks apart. I did not find the time in-between adjustment too difficult.  My new multi-focal lenses work well.  It is like I have a new life where I can see everything clearly from road signs to words on computer screen.  One big drawback for the multi-focal in my case has been the glare from the lights at night -- tremendous. When the cars pass me it was like I have several high powered lamps shining at me.  It was scary.  I recently bought a night vision pair of glasses from Target $13 with yellow lenses, but I have not tried them driving at night.  However, I use them during the day for walking, driving etc.  They are so soothing. I love them.  A technician at the eye surgery place who had the same type of lenses I have said it took him 1 year and 7 month for the glare to go away.  Another drawback is this option generates high cost out of pocket. Medicare will not reimburse you for these fancy lenses.   

I have several friends who had the regular long-distance implant, say they love it - simple, affordable, and no complications. When they read they just have to put glasses on.   In your case, perhaps this option will present low risk for you.  If you would like to discuss more details please give me your email or number to call.  

PLNJ


   
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(@donmeyer)
New Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

have menieres patient been able to wear toric contact lenses


   
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(@donmeyer)
New Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter  

has anyone had their cataract surgery with multifocal intraocular lenses

if so how did it work for you>


   
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(@dchong)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 

I got Crystalens 7 years ago, which auto-focuses by four flexures at its periphery.  It took 4-5 months for vision to stabilize, and was concerned at first since vision would vary from 20/40 to 20/60, back and forth.  Finally, both crystalens flexures scarred in place, with one eye (luckily) 20/25, and the other barely passing 20/40 (for driving test with brightly lit letters, which is not always the case).   AND, I can do computer work and read screen without closeup glasses, lucky again for imbalanced focus.

I recall doc was "shooting" for 20/25, for fear of trying 20/20 and going under (but not 20/15).  So I was LUCKY, and can drive without prescription glasses, though its desirable in low light or night conditions.  One eye missed for astigmatism, perhaps 5-10 deg off, causing light flares at night from bright sources.

But I did not want cataract lens with circular bands of focus, which have their own issues.   Since then, there are newer cataract multifocal lenses.  Of course, the doc said there was 98% success rate, whatever that means -- something like efficacy?

This post was modified 3 years ago 4 times by Darch

   
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(@danielb)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1
 
Posted by: @donmeyer
 
my optometrist told me a have moderate cataract and i am considering the possibility of surgery
as I have found a number of options in replacement lenses
1. single focal lens
2.bifocal lenses
3. one eye for distance and one eye for reading/ computer
I am wondering if anyone might have had this procedure and can offer any information on your results.
and how it effected your menieres ( if at all)
 
I have had bifocal glasses in the past that would make my meniere's flair up
but I don't know if this would be an issue with cataract replacement lenses

My cousin had a cataract when he was doing his doctorate and it was of a great result. He was having sudden discomfort with his vision one day and had to get surgery. He even had his eye surgery done due to correct his myopia as it was affecting his work and also driving very much. That was almost 6 years ago and the issue with cataracts came up over a year ago just before the COVID-19 crisis. After the procedure, he wore an eye patch for more than 2 weeks. He had to check in with his doctor after 2 days. He had mild discomfort with itching and slight pain which wore off after a week or two and now he is all good. 


   
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(@alisonfindlaycomcast-net)
New Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 1
 
Posted by: @donmeyer
 
my optometrist told me a have moderate cataract and i am considering the possibility of surgery
as I have found a number of options in replacement lenses
1. single focal lens
2.bifocal lenses
3. one eye for distance and one eye for reading/ computer
I am wondering if anyone might have had this procedure and can offer any information on your results.
and how it effected your menieres ( if at all)
 
I have had bifocal glasses in the past that would make my meniere's flair up
but I don't know if this would be an issue with cataract replacement lenses

I am just now seeing this question. I wish I had known about this forum sooner. I have had severe Meniere's Disease since 2002. In 2015 I had FIVE Chemical labyrinthectomies in an attempt to shut down the nerve in my ear so the vertigo would stop. All five surgeries failed. I am trying to lead as normal a life as possible. But Cataracts developed this year in both eyes and my doctor told me surgery was necessary. I specifically explained to her that, being a Meniere's patient, it was vital that my vision ended up balanced (equal) following the two surgeries. She assured me that I would end up with 20/20 vision in both eyes. She guaranteed it. She couldn't had been more wrong. The surgeries were 4 months ago. (I should mention that my pre-surgical vision was 20/30 in both eyes...we were NOT doing this surgery to improve my vision but rather to stop the increasing pressure in both eyes...that would have lead to glaucoma.) I got the identical distance lenses which are recommended for Meniere's patients. 4 weeks after each surgery I developed severe PCO and had to have the YAG procedure on both eyes to try to clear it...the YAG also failed.  I have become nearly totally disabled as the vision in my left eye is now 20/50 and the vision in my right eye is 20/90. I am so sick that I vomit during the day and at night while sleeping and have aspirated vomit into my lungs twice. My PCP has run tests that show I am desperately dehydrated. And yet my eye surgeon says she can find "nothing wrong" with me. I finally got an appointment with a specialist for January 2022 and am praying he can figure out some way to make my two eyes send the same image to my brain again. If he can't, she has totally taken my life from me.


   
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(@igie)
New Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 1
 

@donmeyer Hi Don, In September of 2021 I had cataract surgery on my left eye. One week later in October of 2021, I had cataract surgery on my right eye. I selected the multifocal lens, there was no discussion with my optometrist about any side effects. He made it sound like a very simple procedure. The day after my first surgery I was very dizzy, four months later I am still unsteady and dealing with multiple issues. I had a predisposition of light headedness for years prior to surgery. I had no idea that my light headedness would get worse as a result of cataract surgery. I also developed Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) which hopefully will be taken care of next month. I also developed keratitis in both of my eyes. I will be having a procedure (ACELL) done for that also next month. My advice is to do as much reading about your condition before proceeding with cataract surgery. If I knew then that I know now, I would never have proceeded with the cataract surgery and would not have selected the multifocal lens. I am now in search of treatment probably a vestibular PT. 


   
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Barb
 Barb
(@barb-larue7gmail-com)
Very Active Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 131
 

@alisonfindlaycomcast-net I'm so sorry to hear about your situation.

 

How are you now? Hopefully the issue was resolved.


   
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(@philipswyse)
New Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 4
 

I had used contact lenses my entire life and had a myopia of -3.00 D in both of my eyes prior to having cataract surgery for myopia. Because I couldn't utilize the slit lamp while wearing glasses, I detested them. I used over-the-counter readers when my presbyopia started, which was good, but I eventually went to monovision with contact lenses and liked it. I've experienced everything: I had laser therapy, astigmatism correction, and mono-focal and multifocal IOLs in my right and left eyes, respectively.


   
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