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RamblingRose

(1,096 posts)
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:22 PM Nov 2021

Yesterday I requested my medical records from my eye dr's office. She said the dr. had to sign off

on the release and they won't be ready to pick up till Monday at the earlies.

The doctor did my cataract surgery and I'm still having problems 6 months after the surgery. I followed up with him a couple of weeks ago to discuss the problems. He said everything looked fine and said it was from dry eyes.

I decided to get a second opinion and saw a specialist at Emory a couple of days ago. She thinks there is more to it than dry eyes and wants to see me again in 4 weeks and told me to get the records from the doctor that did the surgery.

Is it normal for it to take 3 days to pick up medical records and the doctor to have to sign off on them before they can be released or is it to CYA? I've only been a patient there since March and seen the doctor maybe 8 times.

Sadly, I don't know if there's anything that can be done to correct the eye at this point. I'm beyond depressed.



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Fpj

(11 posts)
1. Specialist
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:29 PM
Nov 2021

Exactly what type of specialist did you see?
I recommend you must see a retina specialist for another opinions
Been in Eye Care for over 40 years you’re allowed to get your records appears to be they want to hide something?

RamblingRose

(1,096 posts)
11. She is with Emory Eye Center. Their website says she is the Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology &
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 03:45 PM
Nov 2021

Section of Comprehensive Ophthalmology with clinical areas of interest in Cataract and laser surgery;
Ophthalmic manifestations of systemic disease, including dry eye syndrome.

With her area of speciality she should be able to determine if the problem is solely from dry eyes as the first doctor said. She thinks the problem is partly from dry eye but also from astigmatism that was not corrected with the cataract surgery. I told her I thought the lenses put in did correct for the astigmatism since I specifically remember telling the cataract scheduler that 'sells' the lenses, that based on my research, I wanted the Toric IOL lenses.

When I first went back to the doctor after the surgery I told him I still wasn't seeing well, was still seeing starbursts and the halos were worse than I expected he said I needed the YAG capsulotomy which I had done.

I asked the new doctor what the treatment is since I had the YAG and she was very vague, and said something like 'we don't like to do that.'

Anyway, I'm wondering if the doctor that did the surgery is going through my records with a fine tooth comb, deleting anything that would indicate the wrong lenses were used, a misdiagnosis or an error on his part before releasing them.

I don't know what recourse I have at this point. I don't want to go back to the doctor that did the surgery but I may be looking at thousands of dollars for any possible treatment if there even is one.

Emory is a very large outfit so I have no doubt she will send me to another specialist if needed.

I never in a million years thought I would need cataract surgery at 53. The whole reason for having the cataract surgery was because of my night vision and now it's worse.




Raven123

(6,028 posts)
2. It's typical to review records for a non-emergency release, within a few days
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:40 PM
Nov 2021

Emergencies would be expedited

3catwoman3

(25,419 posts)
3. At the pediatric office from which I recently...
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:41 PM
Nov 2021

…retired, our front desk staff typically told parents it would take several days. The docs always looked the records over. It’s not legal, of course, to alter anything that has been already documented.

This does not sound unusual to me.

appalachiablue

(42,899 posts)
5. Try to go to a first rate opthalmologist, contact a hospital
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:48 PM
Nov 2021

in your region or another doctor you know for a recommendation. If that doesn't work try a medical assocation in your area for suggestions, or The American Academy of Opthalmology.

Ask for the Best, Top Specialists in the field.

*I wouldn't mention to them the previous doctor's name unless you have to.

Also some local magazines often have quarterly/occasional feature articles on "Top Doctors" in the area. Check with local libraries for back copies if needed.

> Eye treatments have come a long way in the last 20-30 years, don't give up hope. All the best.

NQAS

(10,749 posts)
6. I found our something interesting earlier this week
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:48 PM
Nov 2021

I’m slowly switching my medical care to a hospital in Boston. My local medicsl care has been going downhill and I wanted to go someplace where I know that these are the best doctors. It’s a 2-hour drive, but do far it’s been worth it.

In any case I went to a new doctor earlier this week. I took printouts from my medical record online. The doctor didn’t need those. She had access to all of my medical records through their online medical records system. I had no idea this was a thing. I’m fine with it, but it came as a surprise.

Quakerfriend

(5,655 posts)
7. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this.
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 01:50 PM
Nov 2021

It depends on the doctor.
I too have had problems following eye surgery.
My eye doctor made the record’s available to me without any wait. However, when I reviewed the record I found that a lot had been ‘left out’ & the MD who provided me with a second opinion pretty much said the same.
Now I face the possibility of a third eye surgery to fix it but, I’m afraid it will only get worse. My problem is dysplopia at certain distances 😩. I have had to really curtail my driving and can never play tennis or ski again.
I’m glad you can be seen at Emory. I know they are tops.
I hope u get some good help

appalachiablue

(42,899 posts)
8. The American Academy of Ophthalmology:
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 02:01 PM
Nov 2021

To Find An Opthalomologist, go to the online web page or try to contact them by phone, (HQ in DC I think).

https://www.aao.org/contact

The AAO is a professional membership organization for MD's but they have a webpage on 'How to contact an opthalmologist.'

If you have a medical school in your area maybe they could suggest practitioners.

The Prevention of Blindness Society, if it still exists.

Be persistent!

RamblingRose

(1,096 posts)
12. Thanks. She's listed as an Associate Professor at Emory University here in Atlanta.
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 04:09 PM
Nov 2021

I'm not going to be able to sleep till my follow up appointment in 4 weeks when hopefully I can get some answers.

In the meantime I've got warm compresses 2x a day, lid cleaning, artificial tears, and eye ointment to hold me over, none of which have helped so far.

appalachiablue

(42,899 posts)
13. Glad you're doing all you can to manage the condition
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 04:24 PM
Nov 2021

which is so distressing. Emory has a good reputation.

I don't mean to be ugly and pushy, (I've stayed with a couple of doctors too long and regretted it), but if the relationship and results with her and her office aren't up to your satisfaction, I wouldn't feel bad about getting a second opinion.

There are very good and some inferior physicians as we know, I have three fine ones in my family.

Health is everything; maybe things will get better with her. I hope so for your sake. Take care and let us know how you're doing.

RamblingRose

(1,096 posts)
14. The said thing is the doctor that did the surgery was one I went to for a 2nd opinion.
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 04:42 PM
Nov 2021

When my regular eye doctor told me I had cataracts I thought 'no way' so I wanted a 2nd opinion. He agreed with the cataract diagnosis and was recommended by several people so I let him do the surgery. I know for a fact the first doctor was going to use the Toric lens. I can't stop beating myself up for that.


Thank You!

cbabe

(4,147 posts)
9. We gave medical records immediately on request at major regional medical center. Wait time depended
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 02:02 PM
Nov 2021

on the copy machine line.

Most records are online and can be sent even faster.

Runningdawg

(4,613 posts)
10. I just went through this with my dad's medical records and my FIL, a lawyer, as guide.
Thu Nov 18, 2021, 03:38 PM
Nov 2021

They have 3-5 business days to release the records and it's probably not going to be free. I was charged $3 per page and no one mentioned that until I picked them up.

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