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Post Cataract Surgery: flickering and light streaks

Eye Conditions | Last Active: Jul 24 5:45pm | Replies (17)
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@tillymack

Hi Elliott,

I learned today that I developed a wrinkle or fold following cataract surgery 10 days ago. My lens is a Tecnis toric monofocal. I noticed the light streak the first day post surgery but initially thought it was astigmatism. I share your thoughts and concerns. I am reluctant to pursue the yag laser treatment due to the known risks, which seem to outweigh the benefits.
How are you doing? I hope your wrinkle self corrected. If not, have you come to a decision about how to treat or notice the problem less with the passage of time?

Thank you for sharing the results of your online research. I'm surprised there is so little about this condition. I follow two Facebook groups and a few members reported wrinkles or folds. None mentioned having yag as yet.

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Replies to "Hi Elliott, I learned today that I developed a wrinkle or fold following cataract surgery 10..."
elliott1953 | @elliott1953 | Jun 25 10:58am

Hi Tillymack

Coincidentally, I just had an appointment with my cataract surgeon this morning. It has been 3 months since the surgery on my right eye (and I had my left done 3 weeks after the right).

My surgeon confirmed what my opthalmologist told me: the straight line at a 45 degree angle was due to a fold in the capsule and that the Yag laser can be used to correct the situation. (I also have a minor glare issue on the left eye but that doesn't really bother me).

As you may know, cataract surgeons use the Yag laser to address a very common complication that occurs in about 50% of cataract surgery patients within 5 years of surgery - posterior capsular opacification (pco).

While my surgeon offered to do the 5 minute Yag procedure this morning, I decided to postpone it for a later date being concerned about potential complications given my eye history which has included retinal tears/holes.

My surgeon acknowledged the potential complications; however, he also stated that they are rare. But he also stated that I might minimize the risk by waiting an additional few months, although he did say that 3 months is generally an adequate time and that they have used the Yag one month out from surgery.

I think it's only a matter of time that I will probably wind up with pco, particularly given the type of cataract I had in that left eye (posterior sub capsular) so I think the YAG will be in my future anyway. I just wasn't prepared to go ahead today and may even wait until pco affects my vision which is currently excellent.

I don't think the wrinkle and 'light' issue will self-correct as it has been three months (but I forgot to ask the surgeon that).
While it has not got any better, I believe I have become more accepting of it. If I decide to go ahead with Yag within the next few months, I will let you know.

By the way, if I didn't mention it in my previous submissions on this site, there are two cases I came across on my internet search dealing the Maddox rod effect that you can google:

"Waterfront aberrations causing Maddox rod effect from posterior capsular striae" - (could only get the first page)

"Posterior capsular folds creating a Maddox rod effect following cataract surgery"

All the best,

Elliott

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