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Positive Dysphotopsia after Cataract Surgery
Eye Conditions | Last Active: Sep 24 8:12am | Replies (169)Comment receiving replies
Ok, I guess the lack of entries on post cataract dysphotopsias might show that they are, in fact, rare. That’s, certainly, good for the many people who have had cataract surgery, In reading online, seems that the data shows long term positive dysphotopsia occurs in about only 1.5% or so of patients. I’m thinking that this percentage is low as some post operative patients say, “well, my vision is fine except I can’t drive at night anymore because of the lights.” Also, when my surgeon tells me “dysphotopsias are very rare”, this gives me no solace since I am “1 for 1” (I had one eye done and got dysphotopsia 100 percent of the time).
With that, I’ll update what I’ve found out and done lately:
- I tried the photochromic contact lens in my eye in attempt to decrease the severe streaks and halos. The result was poor. I, actually, had worse halos/light glare and acuity was also worse
- Since, I have a very slight astigmatism, my optometrist gave me the very lowest power toric and it helps me a little to see street/highway signs. I’m, also, trying yellow glasses to try to calm the glare/halos/streaks at night driving with limited success.
- I explored the prospect of an lens exchange, but local doctors are strongly against it saying risks of a worse outcome are not worth it.
ALL of the above are related to my LEFT eye, the one on which I had cataract surgery in late 2019. As said previously, I put off surgery for RIGHT eye cataract this fall because of fear it will end up the same as my left. I continue to research surgeons in Pittsburgh area who know how to avoid the dysphotopsia problems of my first IOL implant. Thanks for any input.
Replies to "Ok, I guess the lack of entries on post cataract dysphotopsias might show that they are,..."
Hello, I had cataract surgery done on both my eyes in June 3 weeks apart. I am severely myopic and have astigmatism. I upgraded to the premium Alcon Acrysof IQ toric lens. The left eye was done first and seemed great. However, I walked around without any correction on the right eye for 3 weeks, so didn't drive or do much at night. Immediately after surgery on the right eye, I noticed some glare/halos/streaks (starbursts), mostly in the left eye and most debilitating at night. The streaks are visible around every light source, both inside and outside. They told me that I had scarring and that a YAG would resolve my issues. Unfortunately, the YAG amplified the issues in both eyes, and both are equally affected. The "experts" now say they have no idea what the issue is. I've been going back and forth with the them, but am about to get a 2nd opinion. I believe it's the IOL. I will need to weigh the pros and cons of a lens exchange, if feasible, against the possibility of making a bad situation worse. I too have been prescribed drops that don't help. I've tried numerous sunglasses. The issues are amplified at night vs daytime due to amount of available light. My nighttime driving is totally compromised which is the worst part of this whole ordeal. I absolutely regret doing the surgery.
I appreciate your input and feedback on what you have tried. It's hard to resign myself to potentially having to deal with the side effects of the surgery for the rest of my life. Very depressing and difficult to come to terms with.
Incidence of positive dysphotopsia is way higher than 1.5% of patients. Consider that the vast majority of patients are 80+ and were essentially blind before surgery. Of course they will be thrilled with their results and not complain about dysphotopsias. Others like you and I are less forgiving. I am looking at an hydrophilic iol in the sulcus (Raynor) to change the focal length and hopefully to minimize the dys. We'll see.
I am beginning to think that patients get frustrated by replies from surgeons (second and third opinions) saying that most people just ignore the PD.
The surgeon I sought a second opinion from yesterday told me:
1) women were more sensitive to PD
2) my surgery was "perfect"
3) he would not do my Right eye cataract since he thought he couldn't meet my expectations
In other words, "old lady, you seem too picky, and you'll have to find someone else to do your right eye cataract."
Bobby, I am 1 month post left eye cataract surgery also in the Pittsburgh area and vision is worse than prior with double vision and peripheral positive disphotopsia. I was told to hang in there bc it usually improves over time. I also postponed surgery for my right cataract and hoping to find answers. Not sure you’ll still see this but hoping to hear where you are with yours at the current time. My procedure was 12-5-23. I am so very disappointed and no answers from the doctors really. In fact, won’t even call me back.
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Bobby, I really appreciate that you posted what you’ve learned so far. Indeed dysphotopsias are rare. The information that you’ve posted will most definitely help the next rare person who searches for information like you’re doing today and they will feel less alone. Thank you.