Positive Dysphotopsia after Cataract Surgery

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!

Hi John,

I’d started this discussion 2 years ago due to prolonged PD in my left eye. I made a comprehensive entry on May 21 with status of each eye, if you are interested.

Quickly, left eye with it’s square-edged Alcon SN60 from 2020 surgical implant remains problematic with temporal light streaks. I did try miotic drops without success.
HOWEVER, the right eye I had done Jan 26, 2023 with a more rounded-edge IOL made by Bausch and Lomb has FINALLY improved! At the 4-month mark (May 21), I’d reported disappointment as I was still dealing with PD. I don’t know if it was more healing/scarring, neuradaptation or both. Anyhow, at what seemed like a long period, I’m encouraged!

Thank you Bob. I am lost and scared at the moment

Very best and warmest wishes.
John

Thanks you Marshgirl.

In a way it is encouraging to know what we can adapt or as you said accepted.

Warmest regards,
John

Hi.

I wanted to add my case here for data points on to this thread.

I also just had cataract surgery in my left eye (two weeks post-op). Right eye was not touched and won't be, until medically necessary. I am in my mid 40s. Left eye had a retinal detachment with macular off, some years ago with vitrectomy, gas bubble insertion and scleral buckle. I am highly myopic in this eye; the power that was put in the left is a little less then half of what it should be, so it would be more balanced with the right, uncorrected.

Monofocal lens: CT Lucia 602 (Zeiss).
Abberation: PD: Arcs of light, concentric half circles of light which move through the visual field as you make your way across the light source. It is triggered by lights on the side, lights overhead, light hitting the corner just so, etc. I've been able to see all corners of the IOL and the whole IOL (exterior circle) in its entirety. This happens, daytime, nighttime, indoor and outdoor. I have tried pupil constriction via shining a bridge light in my eye while the arc(s) is / are happening and then pulling it away. As I pull the bright light away, the arc is waiting for me (it doesnt fade back in).

I am not able to get dilated, as of yet, as I am waiting for a full 6 weeks before that can happen. However, initial observation of lens locations looks ok.

Following this thread as I will give myself the needed time to completely heal (~2-3 months), observe and then, unfortunately, may need to look for a way to potentially remediate, if not. I cannot imagine living life, forever, like this as I have a long ways to go. It is quite difficult (especially at night where there is more chances for it to happen and it becomes more intense due to not much surrounding light, throughout).

Hi, I am new to this group, but so glad I found you all. I thought I was the only one with these horrible symptoms of glare/halos/starbursts/floaters. I actually had surgery with multifocal lenses a few months ago and my doctor said that if he exchanged them for monofocal lenses, the positive dysphotopsia symptoms should go away over time. Well, that has not happened. I have lost my job because I worked at night, lost my career, and I cannot go out of the house at night at all. I have no income and cannot pay my bills. I am single with no kids or family and I I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I am planning to go to the Jules Stein Eye Clinic in Los Angeles, California where I live. They are supposed to be a top notch place and I am praying that someone there can help me. Has anyone with these kinds of positive dysphotopsia symptoms healed and got their vision back over time??? I really need some hope. Thank you! Janismarla

Hi, so you had surgery a few months ago where multifocal lenses were put in both eyes and have already had those exchanged for monofocal lenses. How long ago was the last surgery for the monofocal lenses? Did you go to the Jules Stein Eye Clinic in Los Angeles? If so, what did they say? I sure hope you find a resolution that takes care of these symptoms for you.

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.

Kitty,

As I said in my earlier report, I insisted on a B & L round edge IOL for the right eye in January 2023 and FINALLY got rid of the PD about 4 months after surgery.

As I said, I am very glad I did insist on the round edge option. As expected, the left eye with its square-edged, Alcon SN60 IOL remains unimproved.

My hope is that if your IOL was properly measured and placed, your PD and double-vision will settle down.

Note: As I waited for my right eye cataract surgery last January, my long-standing double-vision had worsened badly. But, after I got the new IOL in that eye, my double-vision subsided to a large extent. I had each eye corrected for distance, so maybe that “equalization” helped lessen double-vision.

Hope that’s helpful and hang in there.

Eye doctors are too eager to perform cataract surgeries. I’m sure it’s a big money maker for them. I had cataract surgery in 2022 in Melbourne, FL and have had problems ever since. Prior to the surgery, I had nearly perfect eyesight. I should’ve gone for a second opinion before trusting a very greedy ophthalmologist.