Vision problems post op?

[Maryka]

At my cardiologist yesterday (for INR) I bumped into an old boss of mine. It turns out he had open heart surgery six years ago for bipass. He said he went to his eye doctor as soon as he was able because heart-lung machines can cause vision problems.

Well, you know, I had some shooting lights in the first days after surgery, but decided I would just ignore them and they would go away. Well, you know, the pesky shooting lights DID disappear after a about a week.

Do people really have vision problems from open heart surgery?

Thanks,
Maryka

 

[rybowersox]

I am on my second heart surgery and never had vision problems.

 

[Herburban1]

I have had these but thought they were migraine auras.I have had migraines forever but only had the auras for a few years. I had a MRI when I first got them.Some of what I have now is the same as the auras and some is different.My post op instructions say not to drive because of vision changes after OHS. I'll have to dig them out and see what they say as I am geting itchy to drive again.

 

[Jkm7]

My first OHS, no vision disturbances.
My second OHS going on a year ago, I had occular migraine day two after surgery and two or three more times while in the hospital. No headache. They kept checking me for stroke but thankfully, no TIA or stroke. I saw my opthomologist as they continued after I got home. He gave me a very thorough exam as the zig zag lights and light floaters I was experiencing could indicate detached retina. Thankfully, not that either.

I still get them from time to time but they do not affect my vision so don't worry about them. They don't last long and my doctors have assured me in my case they are benign.

I would suggest you have a good eye exam just in case. It's easy to brush it off and assume no big deal but it could be signs of several things or could be harmless.
When in doubt, check it out.

 

[cp172]

After MVR I saw red shooting stars and bright lights on occasion for 6-9 months. They seem to be gone now.

 

[ruthienc1]

I had loss of vision in my right eye about two weeks after my surgery- my only complication, if you can call it that- and they decided I had had a mini-stroke....... Put me on Plavix for the next 8 months along with a regular aspirin. I've just been changed back to a baby aspirin and no more Plavix..... and have had no other eye stuff. It was weird at the time!

 

[terodac]

I did and still do after two years! I can't stand bright lights or office lights. Can't work on the computer for long. I wear sunglasses when I drive. I see things? (that could just be me) or my angels! I went and he did all kinds of test on me, told me my eyes were fine it could be neuro. I can't afford it right now. I just deal with it.

 

[Mayandi Soundara Raj]

Second surgery

Second surgery

I am on my second heart surgery and never had vision problems.

I have also underwent redo surgery for aortic valve replacement. First surgery during 2002 and the redo surgery during 2006. Redo surgery was done due to the formation of pannus around the prosthetic valve and restrict the opening . What is the cause for endocarditis in your case? Have you been prescribed statin along with other drugs?

 

[Cameron]

Maryka,
I just had my aortic valve replaced with an On-X mechanical two weeks ago. During my hospital stay I did not wear my glasses at all (for distance) and I have discovered now that I am home and wearing them that my right eye seems a bit slow in getting up to focus speed. Not sure if this is permanent or just need a bit more time to adjust back to wearing glasses - will ask my GP on Monday when I go for a visit.
Cameron

 

[Shawneegirl]

I have had those little shooting lights off and on for years. Am not sure what causes them but eye dr told me not to worry about them as they may come and go and they do. i believe when you see that flash it is like some type of thread that has popped around the eye. It is still good to have them checked because it could cause a problem if it gets too bad. Mine are at the outer part of my eye. Like a flash of light. usually lasts a week or so then stops. I am not really not sure just how to explain it but my vision has not been hurt by them. I have not had surgery yet.
Bobbie

 

[olefin]

He said he went to his eye doctor as soon as he was able because heart-lung machines can cause vision problems.

Maryka, I never heard that before.

And I had complications from valve surgery. I was put back on the ventilator 3 different times. The last time for 5 days. I didn't go home until day 20. The first week home and a couple weeks later I lost half vision in one eye for a about a minute. This happen several times. It got my attention right quick! It was like a curtain had come down over my eye. My Cardiologist said it was caused from a TIA. My eye doctor said it was from a tiny blood clot passing through the optic nerve.
TIA's are warning signs and sometimes are followed by strokes.

Renewed my drivers license last month. Passed the vision test with no glasses! When I was in my forty's I had to get glasses to pass the eye test. But for the last several years I haven't needed glasses except to read small print.

 

[axeldog]

I had some shooting lights the second day after my surgery. Six weeks later none at all.

 

[David L]

At my cardiologist yesterday (for INR) I bumped into an old boss of mine. It turns out he had open heart surgery six years ago for bipass. He said he went to his eye doctor as soon as he was able because heart-lung machines can cause vision problems.

Well, you know, I had some shooting lights in the first days after surgery, but decided I would just ignore them and they would go away. Well, you know, the pesky shooting lights DID disappear after a about a week.

Do people really have vision problems from open heart surgery?

Thanks,
Maryka

Boy did I. It was so bad I was afraid to tell anybody for fear they would lock me up. Not only did I see shooting stars, but ants on the ceiling being attacked by big spiders. Flames on the wall if I looked at it long enough. It lasted about 5 days. I was told it was a normal reaction from the anethesia, and being on the pump for 7 1/2 hours. Quite unsettling at the time, but it all cleard up!!
.

 

[Jkm7]

One of my nurses told me they had some patients whose eyeglass prescriptions changed after OHS. When they tried using their usual glasses after surgery, their vision was not the same as it had been prior.

New Rx fixed the problem.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

One of my nurses told me they had some patients whose eyeglass prescriptions changed after OHS. When they tried using their usual glasses after surgery, their vision was not the same as it had been prior.

New Rx fixed the problem.

One of my Doctors mentioned this possibility.

I'm thinking he told me NOT to get a New Prescription for a few Months after surgery because my vision may continue to change for that period of time.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Eva]

One of my Doctors mentioned this possibility.

I'm thinking he told me NOT to get a New Prescription for a few Months after surgery because my vision may continue to change for that period of time.

'AL Capshaw'

Very wise! I was entitled to new grames, so I changed my prescription and got new glasses. I am back to using the old ones now.

 

[LeakyValve]

Maryka-

While I had migraine auras in the past, they really came to light (no pun intended) right after the surgery (MVR). So concerned that it might be a detached retina, I made an appointment to see an eye doctor. Got the "all clear" and he explained that these are harmless and usually go away after a few minutes. I'm now 11 weeks out and will get the occasional floater or small wavy line here and there, but mostly when my eyes are strained (e.g., long time on the computer or reading).

If the shooting lights reappear, it might be worth it for your piece of mind to make an appointment with an eye doctor for complete reassurance.

I've read that this is a side effect of the H-L machine, but don't know if that is actually the case.

Michal

 

[Roger Frank]

FWIW - I'm coming up on six months out from my AVR and I'm still suffering from vision issues. My Neurologist feels it's from O2 deprivation during surgery.

Who knows...

 

[BDMc]

This is a common subject here. I had migraines before OHS, and found the auras were very frequent following surgery. I also get momentary partial loss of vision, and the flashes. This is still going on for me, so it's become something I just live with.

 

[TXGal]

I started having migraines in 1996, just one year before I even knew I had an ASD. I had my first surgery in 1997 to repair an ASD and that was the year I had my first "Aura" post surgery and started having severe migraines. After my 2 surgeries in 2000 (first was to repair my mitral valve and the second they replaced it) I was in college and noticed that I couldn't see the board like I used to and was shocked when I saw an eye doctor and found out I needed glasses. I had 20/15 vision in high school. Now, I wear glasses to read and sometimes while I'm driving. But, I have definitely always thought that my aura migraines stemmed from my heart issues/surgery and my vision.. and now after reading the boards (I am new to the boards) I see that it is common, so it's a relief at least that I know now probably why I'm having them..