My mom had cataract surgery in one eye on Thursday. I was not with her when it was done because I had to work, her friend took her. Two days later, she still can't see out of that one eye. Is this concerning?
Having read the comments here. It sounds like mom is ok and she can see out the eye that had cataract surgery. I do not understand why she did not see her ophthalmologist the next day. This is usually the standard procedure. I also thought that after cataract surgery a patient has to wait at least two (2) months before getting measured for new glasses?
When my mom had cataract surgery, she was seen for a followup the next day, she didn't have eye patch after that, but was told to use sunglasses outdoors for 2 weeks, and then again 2 weeks out. It was stressed to her to use the eye drops to prevent infection and to keep eye moist, not to rub her eye or bend over for a while ( not sure how much time) which make it hard for her to do socks and shoes without help. Its been a few years, but I think it was at the 2 week mark that she got her vision tested for new glasses as the old ones were no longer the correct prescription. So there were some issues until she got the new glasses as they were too strong and she said gave her a headache.
But you should at least be able to call his nurse for any advice or maybe do a telehealth visit to assuage any concerns.
When you're with her, can you determine the extent of any occlusion, i.e., can she see nothing? Is her sight showing only darkness? Or can she see objects but they're blurry?
Equally as important, is she administering the eye drops required after cataract surgery? My ophthalmologist explained that the combination med he prescribed has antibiotic properties.
I would contact the office of the ophthalmologist STAT even though it's a Sunday; they have emergency lines and one of the doctors would either be reachable or on call. They can advise you more succinctly than we can, and this is a situation on which you need medical advice, ASAP.
Hi Barb, Im sorry I'm just now getting back on here for the first time today. I went over there last night and today to check on her. She says her vision has improved significantly since her surgery but she is still experiencing some pain if she uses that eye for too long. She says her doctor says she's fine, and it's probably just taking her a little longer to bounce back because she is 78 years old. I just have to trust her and her doctor. I did not know my profile said she had dementia. I'll have to try to figure out how to change that. She does have her share of "senior moments" from time to time, but most days she is still as sharp as a tack.
Blurry may be normal for some short time, but there are serious complications that can occur and any number manifest as blindness in that eye. You say that she has been to her doctor. If that doctor feels her eye is normal then this may be OK, but if she has not been to a doctor I would consider this emergency. I would take her to the ER. There can be complications s/p this surgery that can actually result in permanent blindness in the eye. Some of these complications can be googled. The link below is but one of them. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743107/
Thanks. Yes I'm really stressed and upset about all this. She doesn't have dementia and when she told me she still couldn't see out of one eye (today) I said "I would like to take you to Urgent Care" (her doctor isn't in the office today) and she said "I went to the doctor yesterday and it is okay. Some people don't bounce back quickly and I am one of those." But I'm still very concerned, maybe I'm just a worrier which I definitely am but it is just really hard on me because I can't be there as I work 60 hours a week 6 days a week am currently at work now and there is nothing I can do for her. All I know is what she tells me via text message I'm going to go see her tonight
Yes, this is very concerning and you should call the surgeon pronto. There are issues from cataract surgery that could leave her permanently blind if not addressed immediately.
Its been a few years, but I think it was at the 2 week mark that she got her vision tested for new glasses as the old ones were no longer the correct prescription.
So there were some issues until she got the new glasses as they were too strong and she said gave her a headache.
But you should at least be able to call his nurse for any advice or maybe do a telehealth visit to assuage any concerns.
Equally as important, is she administering the eye drops required after cataract surgery? My ophthalmologist explained that the combination med he prescribed has antibiotic properties.
I would contact the office of the ophthalmologist STAT even though it's a Sunday; they have emergency lines and one of the doctors would either be reachable or on call. They can advise you more succinctly than we can, and this is a situation on which you need medical advice, ASAP.
Im sorry I'm just now getting back on here for the first time today. I went over there last night and today to check on her. She says her vision has improved significantly since her surgery but she is still experiencing some pain if she uses that eye for too long. She says her doctor says she's fine, and it's probably just taking her a little longer to bounce back because she is 78 years old. I just have to trust her and her doctor. I did not know my profile said she had dementia. I'll have to try to figure out how to change that. She does have her share of "senior moments" from time to time, but most days she is still as sharp as a tack.
Your profile says mom has dementia, you might want to change that it it's not the case.
Please google Teepa Snow and watch her videos on how to manage folks with dementia it that becomes an issue.
Hoping for the best for your mom.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743107/
The question is "is this to be expected?".
I am sorry that you are stressed out; does your mom have dementia?