Cornea Folds — The Other Gift From My Cataract Surgery

 As if a phaco burn wasn’t enough, my second cataract surgery in August left me with another complication: corneal folds.

What are corneal folds?

In plain terms, the cornea — the clear front window of the eye — can sometimes wrinkle or fold after surgery. Think of it like a sheet of glass that’s no longer smooth. The result? Vision that bends and distorts. Straight lines don’t look straight anymore. Reading feels like chasing letters that won’t sit still.

Living with distorted vision

The world takes on a warped quality. Pavement lines curve, text refuses to settle, and daily tasks take twice as long. Even indoors, things aren’t simple — TV subtitles bend, words on a page swim, and screens blur when I need them most.

Walking through Immingham with this sort of vision would be asking for trouble. Dust from construction, uneven pavements, traffic — it’s not worth the risk. So indoors I stay, hoping the folds will flatten in time.

How it feels

Cataract surgery is sold as the simple fix to cloudy vision. Mine has been anything but. Instead of clarity, I’m stuck with distortion and uncertainty. Corneal folds may smooth out eventually — or they may linger, making the long recovery even longer.

Final thoughts

Living with corneal folds is like seeing the world through rippled glass. It’s frustrating, tiring, and a constant reminder that my “routine” surgery went badly off script. I’ll keep waiting, keep recovering, and keep writing from indoors until the view in front of me finally steadies.

Further detail

I have written about each complication in more depth here:

• When a 10-Minute Cataract Surgery Becomes 40 — and Leaves a Phaco Burn

• Cornea Folds — The Other Gift From My Cataract Surgery

• Cataract Surgery Stitches — and How They Misshape the Cornea

Support Raymond During Cataract Recovery

Raymond is a local Big Issue vendor recovering from cataract surgery with complications. While he heals he cannot sell on the streets and needs help to cover rent and appointments.

Every bit helps — donations keep Raymond housed and able to attend vital follow-up appointments. Thank you for your support. 🙏