vision after surgery

[DetSgt224]

I am 4 weeks post op and my recovery is going very well.  One thing I've noticed is that I have a disjointed feeling with my vision.  I do have some facial paralysis on my left side but my vision seems clear after I get moving in the morning.  I had some double vision at first and probably still have a little but it's like my eyes can't keep up with my movements; always feel like they are lagging behind.  I had read on here that someone else felt a "disjointed" feeling...is this what I am experiencing?  Does anyone else have something like that in their experience?  Does it go away?? 

Travis
Surgery 6/7/05
3cm AN
Retrosigmoid Sub-Occipital approach
12 hour surgery

[Janet]

Travis,

I have noticed that I have a little trouble tracking with my vision. I first noticed it with reading. I seemed to loose a part of the sentence in the middle and found myself re-reading sentences. Recently, I went to a physical theapist for headaches and neck pain. She tested my vestibular abilities and noticed I did have trouble tracking things. (I didn't mention that I was having any problems.)  It is related to balance compensation and my eyes jump ahead. She gave me some exercises.

Janet

[DetSgt224]

Thanks Janet, it's almost like the vision in my left eye has gotten worse....at times its blurry even wearing my glasses.  I think it stems from the dryness but I don't know.  It feels like its the only thing holding me back on my recovery now.  Though, I know I still have some balance issues but at least I have exercises to work on that.  I hope yours improves!  Thanks for the info.

Travis

[WHWT]

Travis,
I'm 14 months past surgery.  I have some vision issues, too.
I have what I call "fishbowl head".  My head is the fishbowl, my brain is the water, and my eyes are the goldfish.  When I walk, everything sloshes around, and the fish (my eyes) can't stay on course.  The person carrying the fishbowl (me) tries hard to keep it steady, but no dice.  As long as the water doesn't spill out, I guess I'll be OK.
I still have trouble tracking moving objects; I can't focus on things that are far away; and I still have some double vision on the surgery side.  Eye doctor says eyes are fine.  Things could be worse..................

[nancyann]

My vision problems are just due to the constant use of Refresh lubricant.  I tried not using it in in the mornings so I can drive to work without the blurriness, but my eye stings so bad without it, I decided to use the lubricant & drive slower. 

[Pembo]

I had vision problems post surgery that corrected themselves with time.

nancyann-Talk to your doc about a punctual plug or trying Restasis. Both of these have completely eliminated my need for any other drops except a nighttime lubricant.

[HeadCase2]

Travis,
  I can sympathize with your vision description, that your vision can't keep up with your movements.  The vestibular system compensates for movement for your vision, almost like the anti-vibration system in some digital cameras.   If you lost a vestibular nerve in treatment, your vestibular system is trying to re-learn how to use the now changed input.  I like to describe the vision thing as being a reduction in bandwdith of vestibular data that I'm now able to process.  My vestibular system is not able to process visual things fast enough to fully compensate for fast movements.  I heard one ANer describe this as "the bouncy eye thing".  This is not all that uncommon for AN patients.
Regards,
 Rob

[HeadCase2]

Travis,
  I forgot to mention that if you haven't seen a physical therapist famililar with vestibular retraining, you should.  It helps.
Rob

[nancyann]

Pembo - hi there,  you mentioned punctual plug or Restasis.  I don't know why but for some reason I saw a post somewhere people were discussing it, & I got a little scared.  I don't know anything about it, but it doesn't sound too pleasant - maybe it's me.  Even with the gold weight & lat. tarsal strip, my eye doesn't look like it did before the AN surg.  -    What does the plug do? - can you see it?  & what 's Restasis?   
Oh, & even though I'm totally deaf, right ear, the thought of a hearing aid bothers me.  Just a quirkie thing with me I geuss.   Thanks, Nancy

[wwalker]

Travis,

I'm 6 weeks post-op, and have similar vison problems to those that you are describing.  My vision sems to be most disjointed when I'm moving.  I stsrt PT with a specialist on Thursday.  The surgeon thinks the PT should help.

Wayne

[kristin]

nancy,

i had bilateral plugs put in about 3 weeks after surgery....and two in my left eye (AN side). they don't hurt a bit, are covered by medical insurance AND...make life SO grand! i lost the top one on the left eye about 2 months later, but it was ok because my eye was actually TOO moist with both plugs in.  i also used restasis for awhile and that was effective (yet, expensive) as well. now, a year and a half later, i still have plugs in both eyes, but haven't used eye drops in a long long time. i would recommend talking to your eye doc about plugs! you'll be SOOOO amazed at how wonderful it feels!

kristin in montana