I’ve previously written about my multifocal lens replacement surgery. As I’ve already written about the actual operation, I thought I’d write about what happened afterwards, including how my sight functioned and the aftercare. So here’s how I got on with Multifocal Lens Replacement Surgery post op.
Immediately post operation
I had the first operation at 11am on my left eye and it lasted about 15 minutes. Next I was taken into post op for post op checks. I could see immedately that the operated eye was functioning as well as the other eye for distance vision. It wasn’t as good close up. However, even by 12.30, just a hour or so later, I could see significantly better at a distance. I tested my middle distance vision (computer monitor length) and both eyes were similar. I did find though for close up I had to use my unoperated right eye (I didn’t need reading glasses before the operation and never had a problem with close up vision) as my left eye was blurred.
My eye felt slightly irritated, so I took 2 paracetamols (Tylenol) at 1pm as a preventative measure. I was noticeably light sensitive, so I covered eye shield with scarf & read for a bit, then dozed for a couple of hours. At 4pm went downstairs and I found light in conservatory too bright for comfort, but I was fine in the rest of the house which was darker as long as I didn’t look at the windows.
At 5.30pm I took 2 more paracetamols. I spent the evening watching TV – it was the first time I’d watched TV without glasses since early childhood. But I did find tired after a few hours. At 9pm I took 2 more paracetamols and went to bed early.
The Day After The Operation
I had a good night’s sleep and was not woken by any pain. This morning I was still very light sensitive. I found it got better as I adjusted to a room’s brightness. Thankfully, I was not sore and didn’t need any pain killers all day. I took off eye shield (ouch that hurt because it was taped onto my skin). I spent the day wearing lab glasses whenever I was moving around. If you don’t have a pair of lab glasses, I’d recommend getting some. You can use them for DIY or cleaning jobs afterwards.
Because I couldn’t wash my face, I cleansed face with lotion avoiding operated eye. I had two types of eye drops: Maxitrol and Acular. This morning I applied them for the first time. I had a slight sting with the Acular. Acular eye drops contain the active ingredient ketorolac trometamol, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Maxitrol is a combination antibiotic and steroid medicine that is used to treat eye inflammation. I am taking Maxitrol four times a day (meal times and bedtime for ease of remembering) and Acular three times a day (meal times).
All week I had a bath rather than a shower to avoid any chance of water in my eye. I tried removing one of my lenses from my glasses, but I didn’t find this worked too well. My distance vision is now pretty good in my left eye. Close vision is slightly blurred, but that might be because am holding things close for my right eye
Intermediate vision is still bit blurred. Not sure which images my brain is using, but it’s clearly left eye for distance.
During the morning I managed to read/answer emails. It was a bit blurred at first, got better after few minutes, but then my eyes tired quickly. I was able to work on the PC for short periods wearing my spectacles with one lens out. Light sensitivity was less by afternoon. It was only a problem if I had to go to or look out window. Sunglasses were the answer. In the evening I watched TV without glasses and read with something covering my left eye (I used a Alice band over the eye patch (I had to put the patch back on at night). As I was tired I went to bed early.
Two Days Post Op
No light sensitivity this morning, although it’s not a sunny day. No pain, in fact the only thing that hurts is the sting when I put in the Acular drops. The other drops don’t hurt. I can now readwith both eyes, but it’s a touch blurry and I couldn’t do small print. I’m using the PC with my old glasses and something over my left eye, so just with my right eye.
Three Days Post Op
Still struggling with intermediate vision, but I can use a PC without glasses. I do find it a bit tiring though. From here on in, I didn’t use any form of sight correction. I could see well enough to drive, to read or use the PC. The intermediate distance was the hardest and I couldn’t use the PC for as long a session as usual. Distance was the easiest, so watching TV was the least troublesome activity at home. The Multifocal Lens Replacement Surgery post op recovery had gone well for the first eye.
After a week I could shower and wash my face.
Second Operation
Again distance vision developed very quickly after the operation. It took a few hours for the distance vision to match the left eye. Close up work was a bit more difficult at first as I was struggling to remember new reading distance. I had to hold things 30cm away rather than my previous 20cm. My intermediate vision was better in the left eye initially than the right.
As before I was light sensitive and I found watching TV the easiest thing to do. My eye not painful except when too much light during the afternoon, but by the evening my right eye was red and watery and I needed paracetamol. Again I went to bed early at 9pm.
Day after the second Operation
I woke up with red watery eye and was still very light sensitive. I had my first set of drops. By lunchtime eye had settled down and not red/watery any more.
Day Two
I felt I had more energy than last time. My eye was very comfortable and the vision good at all distances now. I was able to read and use computer (I did need to build up the time on these activities gradually).
A few months post op
I went back for a check up after a month and by that time I had 20:20 vision in both eyes. I do not need any form of eye correction for day to day things. However, I do need better light for reading and often have to turn lights on or find a spot by a window. Very small print is harder now and I have had to use reading glasses/magnifying glass and good light for this. However, it’s fairly rare that I need to do this and I certainly don’t need help when reading a novel or a newspaper.
My night vision is fine for driving which is great.
I’ve had no complications during my Multifocal Lens Replacement Surgery post op recovery and I’m really pleased with how things have gone for me. Loving that I can see without my glasses everywhere. Now that I’m back to swimming it’s great to be able to see the clock at the end and to be able to see well underwater.
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