Glare/Light Streaks following YAG laser for PCO

I am glad that I found this site months ago, and that I was able to share my cataract surgery experience and obtain information from others that were also having issues. Writing about my experience has been cathartic for me.

I write now due to a complication from the Yag laser procedures I had on both eyes about 6 days ago due to posterior capsular opacification (pco) in one eye that affected by vision.

Maybe others have had a similar experience with yag and have information or comments to share.

As background, I had cataract surgery in my right eye four months ago and in right eye 3 1/2 months ago. As a result of the first surgery on my right eye, I developed a long linear light streak (maddox rod effect). While I was informed that the Yag laser could correct the issue, I made the decision to wait until my vision declined due to pco before undergoing the yag. Little did I know that pco would happen so quickly, less than four months after surgery.

In addition to confirming pco in the right eye, the surgeon also informed me that I had a similar level of opacification in the left eye even though I wasn’t aware of any vision loss in that eye so on his recommendation I agreed to the Yag procedure for both eyes.

I was informed that the Yag would also fix the wrinkle in my right eye capsule that caused the maddox rod effect.

While the Yag procedure restored the vision decline in my right eye and eliminated the 45 degree linear maddox rod line, it created a number of new thinner lines of glare that twirl/change from time to time. It is annoying and disappointing, particularly since I did not have much glare at all in my left eye prior to the yag.

I wonder from others who may have suffered ‘glare’ ‘light disturbance’ issues from Yag whether their situation improved over weeks or months without intervention and whether they did anything about it.

It may just be a matter of living with it - it's unpleasant but there are far more serious conditions that can occur post cataract or yag surgery.

I very much doubt that I will undergo any further surgical or laser procedures unless my vision deteriorates.

I do wish to find out the cause and reason for the visual disturbance. Maybe the glare is a result of damage to the IOL or perhaps the ‘hole’ created by Yag is too large ….all speculation on my part.

My current plan is to wait at least several weeks or more before making an appointment with my surgeon to address that question in the chance that the situation improves.

Thanks for reading this