REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE aka RLE/NLR +IOLs

I am able to give you my experience only, not advice, as a previously damaged patient by OE.

I too was fitted with MPlus multifocal lenses by a very uninterested and blasé Dimitris Kazakos. I was left with very blurred vision at all focal points, unable to drive or work. This was devastating and totally different to what I was advised my visual outcome would be. OE just seemed interested in what I could read on the Snellen chart. However, I was more interested in what I couldn’t see on the chart (pre surgery I could) and the appalling quality of vision of what I could see. Apparently the visual disturbances; blurriness, halos, glare, flashing lights etc... were not due to OE fitting unsuitable lenses, it was my brain. Yes, my brain did not suit their lenses!

Perhaps I should have got a brain transplant first, then the lenses may have worked, or better still my new brain may have had more sense than my old one and not let me trust OE.

Kazakos offered to “try” YAG laser to resolve my visual issues, without warning me that after this an explant of the lenses is almost impossible. I was then seen by 2 other OE consultants, one being (Prof, Dr, Liar) Jan Venter. Both repeated that my brain hadn’t adapted to their lenses and I would need them changed to monofocal lenses. I was advised after lens change I would have crystal clear vision, with the need for reading glasses.

Again, everything was simplified with all the risks and side effects played down. I was therefore in the dilemma to remain with very poor vision, or take on all the risks courtesy of OE.
As I refused to let OE anywhere near me, I had lens exchange elsewhere. AFTERWARDS I was enlightened to how risky the surgery is (was). I have been left with astigmatism in both eyes and have to wear varifocal glasses at all times, for everything. Contrary to what I was told, I still have glare, halos, visual disturbances and far from crystal clear vision. I was not happy with the corrective surgery/surgeon/service, but will not say more for legal reasons.

I have since had YAG, expecting good results, again disappointing, better but not as expected. This is when I was told it is probably the best they can do as “AN ARTIFICIAL LENS WILL ALWAYS BE INFERIOR TO YOUR NATURAL ONE”. Genius! Where was that information when I needed it, before no return surgery?

Hope this helps, just consider that every time they touch you,YOU AND YOUR eyesight are taking the risk, not the people doing it. Do you research into who and what they are offering. Ask about all the associated risks.

We're in the same boat, along with many others, in wishing that we'd never, ever started this!!! I hate also, as I'm sure you do, in wanting others to test out explants in order to make me feel safer. This is where we're at though.

Did Sasha advise you of a good surgeon to use? If you have a good surgeon lined up, is your decision now based on risk, cost, fear - or one/all put together?

You must be like me - sooooo confused about what to do.

On good days (in bright light when not tired) my eyes seem quite good and I think I should leave well alone - but, when tired, in dim light, at night, if lights come towards me etc etc I cannot imagine spending the rest of my life with such distorted images. I sway back and forth - and I have no idea how to make the desicion: explant or not.

Please let me know how you decide to go, and on what basis. With the very best of luck to you. Heather

Hi Heather, I am also in the difficult situation of trying to decide whether it is worth the risk of an explant (not with OE!!).

i have seen a good surgeon (sasha can give you my details) but I don't know what to do. Luckily I found this website before I let OE give me YAG laser which they wanted to do. The surgeon didn't tell this is a no-no for an explant. WHY would he risk making a bad situation worse ?? Wish I'd found OERML before I let the surgeon Dimitri Kazakos near me.

Thanks Robin.

I haven't had any laser carried out, does that mean that I may be lucky and find that an extraction would be easier to do?

I would appreciate opinions on their results from anyone else who has also had an explant and change of lenses.

Also - how do I find a good surgeon that I can trust (supposing that OE agree to pay for me to go externally)?

The potential for lens explant and further lens exchange after lens replacement was on my consent form so I am sure it must be on yours? No statistics were given however. This was made to sound really matter of fact and did not highlight any increased risk. Nor did it explain that should you have had a yag laser that the difficulty and potential problems/complications would be much greater.

If you have had yag laser I would argue that your surgery would be best carried out by a vitreo retinal expert not one of Optical Express's RLE surgeons. Horrible situation to be in. They will want to offer you "in house" initial attempt at lens explant. Ask to see evidence of individual O.E. Surgeons outcomes on undertaking lens explant and further exchange.

Hi. I have varifocal IOL, with all the complaints I see lots of you have: glare, halos, ghosting, lack of contrast, poor sight in dim lighting, internal "rings" with glittery edges... All experienced whilst being told I have 20/20 vision!

Following many repeat visits, trial of dry eye drops, trial of pupil restricting drops, trial of glasses... I think I'm next to be offered an extraction. BUT... I am terrified of giving OE the chance to do even more damage.

I am 53, had only mild eye problems at the time of treatment (10 mnths ago), was told I was too old for laser (and would almost certainly be getting cataracts in the future). I've learned (I think) that the problem is having big eyes, and thus big pupils (the very same eyes that were tested and measured when the treatment was offered and given). The pupil restricting drops didn't work though!

The advice I have is to avoid ANY non-essential eye treatment.

The question I have is: has anyone had any treatment to rectify the problems noted above?? Does extraction and changing to a different lens actually work?

Very grateful for any advice.

Many thanks. Heather

William wrote: The NHS don't want to know.

"AN investigation has been completed into a series of botched eye operations at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital – but the report isn’t being made public.

Patients and key members of staff have been told that “a number of factors” led to an “unusually high level of complications” during dozens of cataract operations carried out by a private firm.

The boss of Vanguard Healthcare Solutions Ltd, which was hired to perform the operations to cut waiting lists, says no problems have been identified with the mobile theatre used.

Musgrove has refused to release the report into what went wrong to the County Gazette, citing “legal reasons.

But a lawyer chasing compensation claims for some of the 31 of 62 patients affected says it is in the public interest to know why so many people suffered blurred vision and swollen corneas leading to the need for follow up treatment in some cases."
www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/115...tched_eye_operations

Later...

"Cataract operations carried out at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton in May left some with blurred vision.

The procedures were carried out on 62 people in a mobile unit by by private provider Vanguard Healthcare. Twenty-five of them had a "normal recovery".

Ophthalmology staff voiced concerns but operations continued, the report says.
Musgrove Park Hospital had initially refused to release its internal report citing legal issues with its publication.

But it was released following a Freedom of Information Act request by the BBC."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-29638458

Just caught the very end of BBC Question Time with Jeremy Hunt!

If only the likes of Optical Express undertaking lens replacement surgery on patients without cataracts was helping the NHS save money?! These poor patients when left with difficulties like needing lens explants or/and vitrectomy are in no mans land!

The NHS don't want to know.

Wow, Mr O'Brart!

When I demanded that OE pay for me to see an independent specialist "of my choice" David Mungall agreed and said he'd book an appt with David O'Brart. But Sasha had warned me they would try to send me to O'Brart because he won't say anything against OE, so I refused and insisted I wanted to see a surgeon of MY choice!

I won, but only after a lot of arguing with David Mungall, which I recorded!

I wonder if O'Brart would have told me OE had done a great job on my eyes?

Had lens replacement 12 months ago and to cut a long story short have been left with permanent negative dysphotopsia (I see black brackets). Had a consultation with Jan Venter in August and after all tests he suggested having piggy back lenses inserted to block up any gap letting in the light.
He referred me to David O'Brart at St Thomas's in London for a second opinion.

I attended last Friday, and after extensive tests Mr O'Brart told me that in his opinion, and if he was my husband. he would advise me to leave well alone. He told me my sight is very good and that OE did a good job in his opinion, so why tempt fate and risk more problems by further tampering. In other words, I should be grateful for my sight and put up with the infliction!

Two 'experts', two different answers, now I am very confused!!

admin: www.eyeworld.org/article-uncovering-the-...egative-dysphotopsia