Lingering Eye Damage from Intense Light?

@saito720

Good grief what were you thinking using something like that without eye protection?
Anyway I wouldn’t worry unduly but an optometrist won’t be able to help you. Go see an ophthalmologist and tell them what you did. They will want to dilate your eyes to take a closer look at the retina.

I would do this ASAP to set your mind at ease. You are not being ridiculous worrying about your precious eyesight but you should not delay any longer.

You probably did not do any irreversible damage but an absence of pain is not an indicator.
So I would love it if you report back here after you have seen the Ophthalmologist and let us know. And while you are out...buy some goggles or whatever you are suppose to wear when you use a braizing torch.

I sound like I am yelling at you lol.

FL Mary

Thank you, I'll see if I can get something scheduled with one.

I had cataract surgery a few years ago. Lenses were inserted so that, supposedly I will be able to read, etc., without glasses. As it turned out, I now see double. Needed to get special glasses to adjust the double vision, so that I ca drive. I carry 3 pair of glasses with me , now, at all times. This double vision affects my balance, while taking a walk. Driving is always a worry. CAN THIS BE CORRECTED?

@susan8910
Hello,

They call the double vision result after cataract surgery Diplopia. It happens to, they say, about 3% of people. Normally doctors take the conservative way to correct this by prescribing glasses which is what they did with you. I understand there is surgery to correct this but I don’t know the risks or if you can find a Doctor willing to explain all this to you. I know lenses can be replaced but , again, don’t know
the risks, and Doctors may be reluctant to go that route.

So, yes maybe it can be corrected for you as there are options out there but you need to persist on an in depth consultation with the surgeon. It’s frustrating to say the least when you expected so much better. And it has been a year so go get some answers.

For reference I had both eyes done but only see halos around lights in one eye at night. A friend has a line across one eye...doctors called it a crease. He’s living with that.

FL Mary

Good morning Susan - As @imallears said, it is often necessary to become your own advocate to get to the root of problems and get them fixed. You may find some suggestions and support in the Mayo Connect discussion dealing directly with the effects after cataract surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-cataract-surgeryworried/

My suggestions are twofold - learn everything you can about diplopia after cataract surgery (you could start here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790), then do some research and find an opthalmologist near you who deals in post-cataract corrections if your surgeone is not willing to discuss it with you.
Sue

Hi @susan8910 I have diplopia but not from cataract surgery. Corrective eye surgery may offer help depending on the cause. I would talk to the ophthalmologist or eye surgeon to discuss if surgery is a possibility in correcting the diplopia. Talk about the surgery and the risks. In my case it is the muscles that are not working properly so each eye sees a different image hence the double vision. For some folks with muscle issues to blame for their misalignment of the eyes, exercises may offer help. I tried the eye exercises for 4 months. Although the eye exercises made my diplopia better, the diplopia never resolved completely. In fact the motion sickness got worse because my eyes were shifting trying to realign. I have decided to do the corrective eye surgery knowing I have tried the other alternative. Currently a prism in my eye glasses does not resolve my double vision. A prism may help you depending on the misalignment or cause for your double vision. I would consider the prism if I had an option. I would rather have a less invasive procedure. You may also like to ask how long the results of the surgery will last. Will the results be permanent? Get all the facts before making your decision. Wish you well.

I went in to see an optometrist yesterday and they looked at my retina (as well as the macula specifically with an OCT scan) and they concluded there was no visible damage. Glad that my eyes looks good!

I do have an actual ophthalmologist appointment on the 16th which should verify for certain the condition of my eyes. But after having the optometrist take a look and perform a OCT scan I feel I at least got a fair amount of reassurance that it's not damaged, at least appreciably.

@saito720

Great news and really happy you are also keeping your ophthalmologist appointment. Got to keep your precious eyesight in tip top condition.
So, next time you grab a dangerous object you WILL be wearing eye protection. Thanks for posting back.

Eye am watching you lol.

FL Mary

Yes, as I said originally hind sight is 20/20. Eye protection is a must!

Hey there saito… I know it’s been a few years now since you’ve last posted here but I am experiencing the same lingering afterimage spot when blinking that you have described.

Did yours ever end up going away? Did your ophthalmologist figure out what it was?