Can Cataract Surgery Cause Double Vision, Dizziness, and Loss of Balance?
Understanding Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial one. While it generally improves vision, it can sometimes lead to unexpected complications. For a deeper understanding of cataract surgery, view WebMD’s Complications of Cataract Surgery.
We recommend our patients who are undergoing cataract surgery to have both eyes corrected for the same distance.
This can either be both eyes for up close (best for patients used to that) or both eyes for distance (often more convenient).
Double Vision After Cataract Surgery
Can Cataracts Cause Double Vision?
Double vision, or diplopia, post-cataract surgery can occur due to changes in how light enters the eye. Factors like lens misalignment or pre-existing vision issues can exacerbate this condition.
There are several types of cataract lenses that are more likely to cause problems with dizziness, balance, double vision, headaches, migraines, or other symptoms.
These include:
Monovision – one eye distance and one eye for close up
Multifocal – putting multiple distance in focus at the same time
Accommodating IOL – meant to replicate your natural lens but often falls short
Detailed research on post-surgical vision changes can be viewed in this Clinical Study on Diplopia Following Cataract Surgery: A Review of 150 Patients.
Dizziness and Balance Problems After Cataract Surgery
Can Cataracts Cause Dizziness and Balance Problems?
Post-operative balance issues following cataract surgery can occur due to changes in the visual experience. This sometimes leads to sensory incoherence with the visual-vestibular connection. Patients may experience a period of adjustment as their brain adapts to the new visual inputs following surgery.
Managing Post-Surgical Symptoms
If you are suffering from double vision, dizziness, balance problems, vestibular problems, headaches, migraines, light sensitivity or other symptoms after cataract surgery, there may be help.
We treat many patients for post-cataract surgery binocular dysfunction and they are able to improve their symptoms and quality of life.
Effective management of these symptoms includes vision therapy and corrective lenses. At OPTO-MIZATION NeuroVisual Optometry, we focus on treating such post-surgical complications through personalized therapy plans.
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For most patients, these symptoms are temporary. However, understanding the potential for these issues is important when discussing lens options with your surgeon. Articles on EyeWorld discuss the long-term considerations post-surgery.
Dizziness and balance issues that stem from visual problems can be significantly mitigated through our dual-faceted treatment approach.
Whether you’ve experienced a recent brain injury or have lingering symptoms from past trauma, it’s crucial to seek evaluation from a neuro-optometrist promptly. Early intervention maximizes the potential for recovery, but even long-standing conditions can find relief with our tailored treatment strategies.
What Is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy?
While cataract surgery is generally safe and effective, being aware of potential complications like double vision, dizziness, and balance issues is important. If you’re experiencing these symptoms post-surgery, seeking professional advice is crucial. At OPTO-MIZATION NeuroVisual Optometry, our team is ready to assist you in your post-cataract surgery journey, ensuring optimal visual health and comfort.
Our specialized treatment utilizes various techniques and exercises aimed at enhancing visual perception and processing, strengthening the crucial connection between the eye and the brain. To support this, we also integrate the use of specialized glasses and lenses tailored to improve depth perception and spatial awareness, addressing how the visual and vestibular systems interact.
Our approach to vision care encompasses both neuro-optometric rehabilitation and vision therapy. These terms are often used interchangeably and refer to our personalized program of therapy sessions designed to develop, refine, or restore visual skills.
Following diagnosis, a customized treatment plan is crafted. This may include the application of specialized lenses such as the neuro-lens to enhance visual function and vestibular therapy to address balance. Vestibular therapy, a specialized form of visual therapy, works to recalibrate balance and alleviate dizziness.
Vestibular therapy is a special type of physical therapy aimed at restoring correct balance to provide relief for symptoms of dizziness.
How We Can Help
If you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms of double vision, dizziness or feeling off-balance, contact us for a consultation. Even if you’ve been told that your symptoms are stress-related, seasonal, or will fade on their own, having a functional visual evaluation can help rule out vision as the root cause or contributing factor to your symptoms.
It’s also important to note that not every optometrist is trained in this specialized field. Only a neuro-optometrist should assess and treat a post-TBI patient with neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
No two patients are alike — if you’ve seen one head injury, you’ve seen one head injury. Each person experiences a unique degree of dizziness, balance issues, or vision problems. Some patients may require just a few weeks of treatment, while others may need something more long-term. The good news is that the improvements achieved by neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy are generally long-lasting.