Positive Dysphotopsia after Cataract Surgery
I’m 62 and had my left eye cataract done in December 2019 and still have significant peripheral light streaks and night glare and starbursts while driving (positive dysphotopsia). Makes me a little “white-knuckled” when night driving and is maddening overall. Local surgeons are not inclined to consider an IOL exchange and neither am I, at this point.
With that, has anyone:
- experienced dissipation of dysphotopsia symptoms as time passed?
- tried photochromic contacts or glasses and had success?
- other actions that helped you?
Thanks for any input!
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.
Connect

How many months was it before you did the lens exchange? Does the new lens have rounded edges? I have PD also and am really tired of the miserable effects . But I’m afraid it’s been too long and would cause the exchange to be difficult.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsIt’s been 6 months
I don’t think round edges are available in the US.
Does anyone have diplopia when reading 3 months after cataract surgery? Will it go away? I did not have such problems before the surgery.
Look up Dr Steven Safran’s website for his position on lens exchanges and videos. No question, the longer time period it is after the first cataract surgery the riskier a lens exchange surgery would be.
Hello. I am having the same issues, and I was curious how you are doing now?
Thanks. I had read that as well. And it is a big issue, as I have already developed rapidly regressing PCO in the last few weeks. Ugh.
Not sure if you are still on this site and following this discussion, but I am wondering if your PD ever resolved. I have had the flickering in my eyes since day after surgery 3 months ago. I also had YAG because of PCO. The flickering can be debilitating some days, so I am hoping it will eventually go away.
Hi,
I am new to the forum; English isn’t my first language.
I am 53 years old living in the UK. I had lens replacement surgery in both eyes on 22nd June 2023. The lens are monofocal ICB00 from Johnson&Johnson.
Since day one I've experienced flickering on both side. I feel I can see the edge of the IOLs. I am trying hard to ignore the symptoms but it’s unavoidable. I am guessing I am a case of positive dysphotopsia.
- So far I’ve been told to wait, be patient, still early in the healing process and with neuro adaptation these unwanted light effects will reduce; I want to remain positive but I am scared to tell the truth.
So far, the optometrist has tried the follow to create a profile of my symptoms;
(1) - Cyclopentolate - to enlarge the pupil. Results: significantly reduced the glare and could not see the edge of the IOL but could see halos around every source of light. Vision was stable but made me sick. I was asked to stop after one day
(2) - Now on Pilocarpine - Results: it has reduced the size of the pupils (opposite effect to Cyclopentolate). Halos are gone, which I happy with but glares are back. I will stay on Pilocarpine for another 10 days.
Has anyone here experienced a successful neuroadaptation to Dysphotopsia ?
Warmest regards,
John
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Marshgirl.
I had my surgery on 22nd June 2023. I have dysphotopsia and it is so difficult everyday. Did you situation improve, how are you managing?
warmest regards
John
Hi John,
Nighttime driving is still problematic with glare from headlights and streetlights. I've accepted the fact that this is how my eyes reacted to the lens. Since it's been 15 months for my right eye and now going on 10 months for my left eye I don't think it will change.
Daytime outside I'm fine. Inside during the day in bright window lighting I sometimes get a glare.
I guess I've somewhat adapted (or accepted it I guess) and it doesn't seem to bother me as much.
My vision otherwise is fine so I try to focus on that.
Wishing you the best!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction