Is Macular Edema And Cornea Swelling Be Normal During Cataract Surgery?

On April 23, 2015 I had cataract surgery on my left eye. When my vitals were taken before surgery I expressed concern to the nurse that my blood pressure (164/84) was too high for me but I was told it would monitored. During surgery I heard discussion and someone was concerned that something was going on. The doctor said he thought I was just feeling the water. I knew this surgery was different from my right eye surgery 3 weeks prior because during the surgery everything was black as opposed to the brightness I experienced during the right eye surgery. When the patch was removed everything black. The next day it was solid gray and I could not see the eye chart or the doctor standing before me holding up his fingers. At that time I had cornea swelling, macular edema, a cherry red spot in the back of the eye, and a central branch artery occlusion. I was told it was as if I had a heart attack or stroke in my eye. At this time, I have peripheral vision and central vision has gone from black to a light gray with a lacey effect which allows light and color to come through. Depending on the distance, I can see the number of fingers being held up; when I look at TV (some 10 feet away) I can see images and color through the laciness but not a clear picture; I can tell there is a person there but not who the person is. I was referred to a retina specialist who performed an Angiogram of the eye and it showed no blockages. Carotid artery ultrasound was, as my doctor said, whistle clean . Although the cornea is now clean, macular edema is resolved, the cherry red spot in the back of the eye is gone, and the arteries are open, the retinal specialist says it will take several months to heal but not to expect a full recovery. How common is this occurrence? How much vision can I expect to return?