After Cateract Surgery both eyes

I'm not really having issues with new headlights - in US or Europe. Nor, am I having any issues driving at night - it is a bit more difficult, but like all things, requires practice. Not driving at night when you can see well (all other things being normal) is a sure way, imo, to stop being able to do so.

In reply to Bighead's initial message, there are several points I can add with respect to glare and the light streak seen at 2 and 8.

I had cataract surgery earlier this year (both eyes - 2 weeks apart). I was quite ecstatic over the results however I did have a light streak at a 45 degree angle at night/evening and certain lights during the day too. I was informed that this was due to a wrinkle in the eye capsule.

I did futher research and realized I had the 'maddox rod' effect in that eye. I was told that, if the issue didn't self correct within 3 months, the yag laser would fix the issue.

Given my eye history (retinal holes/tears due to high myopia) I decided to forego that yag laser - despite it being considered a very safe procedure - until and if my vision suffered due to posterior capsular opacification (pco) a relatively common post cataract complication that can 'cloud' your vision like having a cataract which can happen within months or more likely years after cataract surgery.

Unfortunately, my 'pco' happened four months after the surgery and the quick and easy fix was the Yag Laser.

The Yag laser eliminated the pco, restoring excellent vision, and eliminated that maddox rod effect that I had in one eye.

Unfortunately, I did have a minor complication of thin light streaks at night in both eyes from the yag laser. It's annoying but it doesn't affect my ability to drive at night. It's been over 3 months since the Yag and while it hasn't improved, I've adjusted to it somewhat and have not returned to my surgeon about it.

I will likely go back to my surgeon in a few months as I'd like to know the cause/reason for this complication. I doubt I would decide to undergo any futher eye procedure, including the Yag laser, unless my vision suffered or otherwise my quality of life.

While the Yag laser is considered a very safe and common procedure for dealing with pco and capsular wrinkles there's always a small element of risk with any eye laser procedure and, despite the light streak complication, overall I am happy with the outcome of my cataract surgery.

I did some research on night glasses to deal with glare but the evidence wasn't strong. Zeiss makes this lens called DriveSafe that is advertised to cut down on glare; however, it did not help me at all.

I don't know if the light streak issue is due to the holes made by the Yag laser being too small or too large or perhaps had something to do with their location in the lens.

I had iris iridotomy in both eyes (hole made in the iris) as a preventative measure for a severe form of glaucoma some 8 years ago. I wonder if this could be the cause of the light streaks....I will speak to my opthamologist or go back to my cataract surgeon early next year to see if they can identify the cause to satisfy my curiosity.

Thanks, Elliott.

Well written and appropriately technical to accurately express the physics and biology!! A good learning piece!!

If you are a high myope and if you have macular puckers be very selective on the surgeon you choose for cataract surgery. I had my left eye done, and surgeon put in what he thought should be lens, but I can no longer read close up. Luckily I didn't have my right eye done, so I can read close with my right eye.....get a few opinions before you get cataract removed.

Right now I am looking for glasses that supposedly address night glare. I am looking to get rid of the streaks since before surgery I already has night driving glare. My doc can see the wrinkle in both capsules. My left eye wrinkle almost has resolved itself. It's almost transparent. Right eye still substantial. I have another appointment this coming Friday. Doc said side effects of YAG are a low percentage of risk but one of the risks is the laser moving the new lense and its the fancy lense for astigmatism so it has to have perfect orientation .
Going to ask him if there really glasses to address night driving glare. My super daytime vision to risk unless the yag can kill the night driving glare
The cheap yellow glasses I bought from Amazon for 7 dollars are a joke turning the super bright white headlight glare to super bright yellow headlight glare.

If you have a standard monofocal IOL implanted, it will not provide distance AND close vision. Multifocal IOLs will do this, but most have some vision quality issues as they split the light going to your retina - there are lots of these on the market. The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) does not provide true multifocal capability, but due to the design does provide some Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF), and, most importantly, LALs can be adjusted to various prescription AFTER implantation.

My LALs have been pretty incredible - dominate eye is a bit better than 20/15 distance, and with about -1.50 script, my near vision is J1+ with an astounding 20/25 distance, sometimes bordering on 20/20. Combined distance is a bit better than 20/15.

You have worked incredibly hard on your LAL journey. I wish I had your knowledge! You also had a surgeon that really worked with you through adjustments. I don't think you are locked in yet? Thank you for sharing.

Not yet ... am trial wearing a 0.75 contact (incredibly comfortable) in non-dom eye to see if I prefer a net -1.50 vs the current -2.25. Both eyes, btw, are zero cylinder error - thus alone is pretty incredible, Do is the dominate eye being plano!

The trial is to determine where, in the continuum of mono vision to blended vision, is my preferred script. Larger negative sphere numbers usually means one's myopia increases - smaller negative sphere numbers means is moving towards plano. Two plano eyes means both will see distance very well, but will not see near very well, at all. Recall that seeing near with ones's organic lenses was accomplished by the lens changing shape - sadly this gets less likely as one ages and the lens hardens.

My sense is the future will look a lot like the LAL, but could be adjustable indefinitely, allowing lens replacement in lieu of PRK and Lasik. While the cost of LAL puts some off, those same folks who are put off by the cost would gladly pay to have their teeth repaired.

How did you find an ophthalmologist who is willing to work with you at such a detailed level?

I went with astigmatism lenses for the surgeries. Not sure if they contribute to the lighting bolt streaks of light. My conflict is that my daylight and indoor focus is so fantastic and the glare is only a night driving issue i am being cautious not to lose any of my super focus . The night driving glare is substantial and now that I learned modern headlights are considered by many to be way too bright it just makes night driving a challenge. So at my next appt I will be asking about if any glasses that advertise themselves to be anti night driving glare lenses... if they actually exist. The pair I bought from Amazon are worthless and just turn the white headlight glare from a super bright white to a just we bad glaring yellow. My doc wants to hold off on YAG to see if time deals with the wrinkles in the capsule.