Suggest Remedy For Double Vision After Cataract Surgery

Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2015

Question: The injection to stabilize the right eye during cataract surgery caused bleeding, which caused a bloodshot eye on the inside and below the eye, and some pain, or at least an ache, when moving the eye to the right. After the patch was removed the next day, the right eye would not track left with the left eye, which was done three weeks earlier. (No problems with the left eye.) This caused double vision when looking left or up. No double vision when looking straight ahead, to the right, or down. A day later, a small shiner appeared beneath the right eye. Seems to be slightly improved on the next day. Pain, or ache, essentially gone.

What likely happened?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be retrobulbar hemorrhage.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic

I am Dr. Dadapeer an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.

I reviewed your history.
The symptoms mentioned by you indicate retrobulbar hemorrhage during injection of anesthesia into the retrobulbar space or peribulbar space. This presents with the symptoms of blood shot eye and pain on eye movements.

No need to be worried about this as this resolves without any treatment most of the times.
This resolves most of the times by 2-5 days as the blood gets absorbed.

If possible do send me a photo of the affected eye so that I can confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly.

Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (20 hours later)

Doctor: Thank you for your reply. You did not address the question as it relates to the double vision. Kindly review the question again and respond. It is now Friday. The operation was Tuesday. Only the slightest improvement since my question. Still the double vision when I look left or up. Why the double vision? I can understand the bloodshot eye. Pain largely dissipated as of yesterday, Thursday. No pain today on eye movement. But the double vision has abated only very slightly, and the bloodshot eye looks largely the same.

I can take a picture with my iPhone. But how do I send it to you? '

Thank you. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Double vision can occur because of restriction of eye movements.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed your history.

The presence of double vision on looking up and left can be because of restriction of movements. You can confirm it be seeing in all the directions like up, down, left, right. Since you mentioned that right eye is not tracking with the left eye this may be the cause. This can occur because of bleeding and restriction of movements. If this is the cause then no need to be worried as this will resolve by itself as the blood gets absorbed.

The other causes for double vision can be because of differences in the refractive power of the two eyes and this can be corrected by the use of spectacles. This is usually done once the eye heals and it is usually done after 4 weeks.

You can attach the photos to the question. If you have any problem please contact our customer care team and they will assist you.

Hope this answers your questions and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar