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What Causes Double Vision Post Cataract Surgery?

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Posted on Sat, 14 Mar 2015
Question: I had cataract surgery on my left eye about 21/2 years ago. I do not know what was used as an anesthetic except that I was asleep but woke up in the middle of the surgery and was awake and awre enough to feel that my eye was being help open, I could see the doctors over me and I asked him how far along he was. There was no pain. I heard him tell me he was nearly finished and then tell someone to "Giver her more", anesthetic, I presume. I went back to sleep and had no problems except double vision, which I was told by the referring doctor would clear up by itself. I got new prescription glasses, though my vision was nearly perfect. otherwise The right eye has a very tiny cataract that doesn't seem to want to grow. The double vision persisted and I went directly to the surgeon who gave me another prescription, but if anything, over time the double vision got worse. I drove back and forth across country several times with the left eye closed, learned to deal with lack of depth perception. For the last 10 months I have worn glasses which I call my "Hillary" glasses, which I was told by a third doctor (I moved) were similar to what she wore after her concussion. They work. However, I have developed increasingly severe vertigo over the last year or so and am now receiving "vestibular rehabilitation", which is helping a little. I also get terrific nausea without vomiting which does not necessarily coincide with the vertigo, though I am sure the vertigo does not help. The nausea comes and goes with no apparent rhyme or reason--I have kept, for example, a journal and it doesn't seem to matter what or even if I eat or drink. I also was diagnosed with spasmodic torticollis 22+ years ago and have been on a regimen of meds which help, plus Botox injections once every three months for the last 6 years or so, which really helps. I also have a rather painful, hard, apparently calcified muscle (it was x-rayed about 3 years ago) at the base of my skull. Often I could swear that all the physical symptom come straight from the back of my neck, when my head starts to feel as though it is sort not quite attached to the rest of me. What's going on? I am tired of sitting in doctors' (specialists) waiting rooms trying to pin all this down. I feel that somehow this is all connected, but I keep getting sent to one more doctor, and end up with more tests. I am not even sure what kind of specialist I should be seeing but my "gut" tells me a neurologist. I have seen an ENT guy who told me my vestibular system was "shot" after putting me through balance tests. He did notgive me any explanation as to why or how . I had perhaps 10 minutes with him since he was running very late and I never got to talk with him about it. He simply referred me to vestibular rehab. I have no ear infections I know of. No concussions since I was a kid, mayber age 14, My vestibular rehab therapists disagrees. The neurologist sort of shrugs her shoulders. It is definitely not BPPV. One more thing: an MRI of my head showed an arachnoidal cyst on the left outer portion of my cerebellum (I've seen the image). The neurologist does not think it is big enough to cause problems. The MRI was about 10-11 months ago..
HELP!!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not to worry too much, periferic vertigo

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
thank you for asking HCM
I am sorry for the symptoms you are suffering
I read your query and understand your concern
As I carefully read about your symptoms and the way they are bothering you with the passing of months (10 months now) it seems that isn't the brain the cause of your symptoms
You have been referred well to a neurologist as him can make the difference between cerebral (cerebellum) signs and periferic vertigo.
Your arachnoid cyst is an accidental finding, it doesn't cause clinical symptoms
You have been born with at you have no reason to worry about it.
In my opinion if you were my patient I would just exlude diabetes ( Testing HB1Ac and glycemia )
If test are normal and you have no history of alcohol abusing then I would prefer to treat you than finding the cause
It is quite difficult to find vertigo cause and in most cases it is idiopathic
If you rule out poly neuropathy (no diabetes, no alcohol abuse, clinical symptoms: legs paresthesia during nights) I would reccomend to start betahistine which will help in your improvement and fast recovery
You can use pain killers to dominate shoulder pain (use them occasionally, not daily)
I don't think your symptoms are related (cataracts, the accident, double vision etc)
You need treatment but you are not at risk, so you have no reason to worry too much.
Hoping that I have been of help
Don't hesitate to contact me further questions or misunderstanding
Wish you good health
Best regards
Dr Eris Ranxha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Eris Ranxha

Neurologist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 686 Questions

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What Causes Double Vision Post Cataract Surgery?

Brief Answer: Not to worry too much, periferic vertigo Detailed Answer: Hi, thank you for asking HCM I am sorry for the symptoms you are suffering I read your query and understand your concern As I carefully read about your symptoms and the way they are bothering you with the passing of months (10 months now) it seems that isn't the brain the cause of your symptoms You have been referred well to a neurologist as him can make the difference between cerebral (cerebellum) signs and periferic vertigo. Your arachnoid cyst is an accidental finding, it doesn't cause clinical symptoms You have been born with at you have no reason to worry about it. In my opinion if you were my patient I would just exlude diabetes ( Testing HB1Ac and glycemia ) If test are normal and you have no history of alcohol abusing then I would prefer to treat you than finding the cause It is quite difficult to find vertigo cause and in most cases it is idiopathic If you rule out poly neuropathy (no diabetes, no alcohol abuse, clinical symptoms: legs paresthesia during nights) I would reccomend to start betahistine which will help in your improvement and fast recovery You can use pain killers to dominate shoulder pain (use them occasionally, not daily) I don't think your symptoms are related (cataracts, the accident, double vision etc) You need treatment but you are not at risk, so you have no reason to worry too much. Hoping that I have been of help Don't hesitate to contact me further questions or misunderstanding Wish you good health Best regards Dr Eris Ranxha