Is it Normal to Have Double Vision After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most performed eye surgeries nowadays.
It is done to remove the eye’s natural lens when it becomes clouded due to Cataract formation.
After that, it is replaced with an artificial lens.
Several complications can occur after Cataract surgery. One of them is double vision, also known as Diplopia.
According to a study by H Nayak et al., out of 150 people, only 3% developed Diplopia post-cataract surgery.
Though rare, it can be problematic for you.
In this article, you will learn about double vision after cataract surgery and its causes.
What is Double Vision?
Double vision (Diplopia) is when one sees two images of the same object.
The images in Diplopia can be:
- Horizontal: When the two images can be seen next to one another
- Vertical: When two pictures can be seen on top of each other
- Diagonal: When the images are seen both vertically and horizontally
It is a short-lived complication that can occur in one or both eyes.
Causes of Double vision after Cataract surgery
Double vision post-cataract surgery can occur for the following reasons:
Anesthesia
As per Mitchell B. Strominger, M.D., the application of anesthesia presented several complications involving injecting the needle.
The needle can lead to muscle or nerve injury.
Some people might also have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia, leading to Diplopia.
“They found that both the superior and inferior muscles could be injured with a 1.5-inch needle, and it was possible to reach the superior rectus muscle from the inferotemporal area without transecting or injuring the optic nerve. So the side effects of retrobulbar anesthesia can be multiple”.
Mitchell B. Strominger, M.D
Refractive Reasons
Double vision following cataract surgery is frequently caused by anisometropia.
Anisometropia creates a prismatic effect which is also known as aniseikonia.
It is a condition with asymmetric refraction between two eyes.
This might happen to patients who have had cataract surgery in one eye and are waiting for the procedure to be done on the second eye.
An eye specialist can quickly determine and treat them based on severity.
Also Read: To know how soon you can get your other eye operated for Cataract, read How Long Between Cataract Surgery on Each Eye?
Strabismus
It is a condition where both eyes do not line up, as the muscles in the eyes have problems working together.
Preexisting strabismus is one of the most common reasons for double vision after eye surgery.
Thyroid eye disease
It is an autoimmune disease where the eyes become inflamed and out of line.
This might be caused by the extraocular muscles growing bigger.
It might affect the eye muscles during the surgery.
Other disorders
Cataracts can conceal other conditions that alone can result in double vision.
After cataract surgery, Diplopia is a common complication of Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson’s disease, and Abducens palsy.
This could happen due to the mechanisms of the surgery or surgical trauma.
When double vision appears, cover one of your eyes, one at a time.
If the double vision fades when you cover one eye, then you have binocular Diplopia.
If the double vision continues, then you have monocular Diplopia.
Treatment
Diplopia that occurs after surgery is typically temporary. With therapy, normal vision can be regained in a few days or weeks.
In cases where Diplopia persists, some treatments include:
Eye patches
Eye patches can help by blocking the double visions produced by one of the eyes.
The doctor might recommend a soft patch which should be used till the double vision disappears.
Improvements can be seen within a few weeks.
Prism glasses
These glasses are customized specially for people whose eyes are not aligned.
It ensures that the eyes work well together by making the light fall in the same position as the retinas.
Eye exercises for double vision
Eye exercises can also be done to improve double vision at home after the guidance of an expert.
Traditional eye exercises, such as vision therapy, can help ensure that the two eyes function correctly together.
It is an essential part of the treatments for Double vision.
Blinking
Blinking our eyes for at least 2 seconds can help revive the tear film.
The eye glands are stimulated by blinking.
Figure eight
Choose a spot 10 feet away from you and focus on it.
Draw an imaginary figure eight using your eyes.
Thirty seconds later, change your direction.
This exercise can help us in tracking objects and focus on them.
20-20-20 rule
For this exercise, look at a target 20 feet apart after every 20 minutes of work for 20 seconds.
Setting time aside for regular breaks after using it for a long time will help us ease some stress from our eyes.
Near and far focus
Focus on your thumb for 15 seconds while holding it 10 inches from your face.
Then shift your attention to a subject 20 feet away.
Keep repeating this process several times.
Surgery
Rarely, depending on the severity, it might be necessary to have eye surgery.
When prism glasses or eye covers do not work, diplopia lasts more than six months.
In that case, the doctor might recommend surgeries like Laser vision surgery.
Some people might experience double vision after 2-4 years of cataract surgery due to posterior capsule opacification (a condition where the posterior lens becomes cloudy).
Doctors generally recommend laser capsulotomy for this condition.
Takeaway
Sometimes, Double vision or Diplopia is a complication of Cataract surgery.
Causes include anesthesia or other preexisting conditions like thyroid and strabismus.
It is often temporary, and normal vision can be restored with proper treatment and care, like eye patches and prism glasses.
Consulting an eye specialist will help you diagnose the problem properly.
Frequently asked questions
What causes double vision after cataract surgery?
Double vision after cataract surgery mostly occurs as a complication of Cataract surgery due to preexisting conditions like thyroid, strabismus, the anesthesia technique during surgery, or muscle restriction. Double vision is rare these days due to the advancement and progress in the field of cataract surgery.
Will double vision after cataract surgery go away?
Double vision after cataract surgery occurs as a complication of cataract surgery. It is often temporary and might go away after therapy. In cases of extreme severity, surgery might be needed to correct the double vision.
How long does double vision last after cataract surgery?
Double vision after cataract surgery often disappears within a few days or even weeks. Depending on its severity, it may take longer and need surgery. It might reappear after 2-4 years, in some rare cases, due to posterior capsule opacification.
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