Thanks jsm. Your contention of “actual” long term dysphotopsias occurring in much more than 1.5% of cataract surgeries is mine too. I am finding various articles and forums online, but none has much data on age categories of those experiencing the long term dysphotopsia (like percentage of post IOL implant patients that experience long term dysphotopsias in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s etc.). If you can guide me to something, please do.

In the last few months, I’ve researched to find surgeons adept and experienced with treatment of dysphotopsias and IOL exchanges. Two doctors recommended a newer drug, Vivity, which is promoted as a presbyopia drug but has the effect of shrinking the pupil. They said this could, also, help my dysphotopsias. They gave me a sample bottle. I used it for a few days but my light streaks/halos were largely, unaffected. Also, since the drug shrinks the pupil so much, I had a lot of trouble seeing in lower light. I ceased using it.

The most accomplished IOL exchange surgeon I could find was Dr Stephen Safran, in Lawrenceville, NJ. You can see many of his surgeries on Youtube on his website. Since I, already, had a posterior capsultomy on this left eye, my local doctors and second opinion are NOT in favor of an IOL exchange.

jsm, just to make sure, is the sulcus IOL implant an IOL exchange (i.e. Explanting your present IOL and implanting new hydrophilic one). Can you tell me when you had your initial surgery and if you’ve had a subsequent posterior capsulotomy?

SO, I’m back to researching what to do on my RIGHT eye as the cataract is gradually worsening. I surely would like a better outcome on my right eye than I’ve had on my left.

I was encouraged that my local surgeon, at least, discussed employing a different approach on this right eye and IOL type. He conceded that the much-used SN60 has a higher incidence of dysphotopsias that the traditional, old-style PMMAs. Gives me hope that they with do all possible to avoid dysphotopic result when they implant an IOL in this right eye. I am trying to wait on surgery till late this year.

Thanks for your input and I’d love to hear anything else. Hope I’m understandable and not too long in my responses. I’ll keep updating.

I totally agree with you. Rare?? I think not. You are spot on with assessment. Folks who get their cataracts removed are probably in their late 70's and 80's after years of failing vision they probably think better acuity but with streaks etc not so big a deal since they can see clearer, plus many prob don't drive at night so hence the no complaints. I just had right eye cataract surgery and immediately got the flutter (which is calming down) and Postivive Dysphotopsia. My opthomologist said they don't know why folks get positive Dy
, they just do (gee thanks). He did say a new eyeglass RX (which we pursue at the one month mark) may help. I now do not even know whether I should do the left eye or not. I'm 70 so still a bit of a youngster 🙂