Positive Dysphotopsia after Cataract Surgery

Mine continues as it has been. To explain my present symptoms, as best I can: I have light streaks that are prevalent whenever there is a light source to my left or above. Sunlight to my left when driving makes me raise my hand to protect it so I can concentrate. When night driving, the worst comes from headlights from cars behind me shining into my rearview mirror. I get the streaks from above from bright ceiling lights and the higher lights in stores, arenas etc.

On another note, I, finally, went ahead with my right eye cataract surgery 10 days ago. In appointments and 2nd opinions over the last year, surgeons had claimed that the SN60WF was the “best lens available”. Since I feared PD with surgery on this eye, I asked them if they could consider a silicone, round-edge IOL to lower my risk of long term PD. They went with a silicone, 3-piece from Bausch and Lomb. It is more rounded edge to avoid reflection. I don’t have full specs on it but will get them.

On January 26th, I had this cataract surgery, a FOV and a primary posterior capsulotomy of the right eye. They went with a B & L, round-edge, silicone IOL that I mentioned. Unfortunately, during surgery, I experienced a vitreous hemorrhage that (per the surgeon) needs a few weeks to clear. I don’t want to be too concerned till I give it some time to alleviate. Doctors seemed pleased and I have follow-up appointment this Thursday. Initially, this eye doesn’t seem to have “light artifacts” (PD) of any note. I’m hopeful and will update in a couple months.

Hi! I don't know if you are still responding to these messages. I had cataract surgery 5 weeks ago and have PD and I'm miserable. I went to the best hospital in Wisconsin and waited months for the best doctor. I did not proceed with my right eye. I have read all of the messages on this board so far and I'm encouraged to see that you aren't having problems with your right eye. I wrote down the lens they used on your right eye. I hope it has been going good for you and hope your left eye has improved, as your message is dated 2 years ago. My doctor has mentioned something about a simple procedure to lift the capsule over the lens to help the flickering. I don't know what it's called. He said if that didn't work I could do a lens exchange, but reading all the messages, that seem risky. I also don't want them digging around in my eye. I am going to the Cleveland Clinic in a month for a second opinion. They are well known for everything and I had no trouble getting an appointment without a referral. I called other clinics such as Mayo and University of Iowa and both wanted referrals, and the doctors would read the notes and decide if they would take me on as a patient. No thanks, I need an appointment now, not 6 months from now. Best of luck to everyone here. I'm relieved to know I'm not alone.

Hello mauigirl17,

As to me, my right eye remains free of dysphotopia.

As I said, I INITIALLY thought that all my efforts to get the round edge IOL were a waste. BUT, at 4 months post surgery, the streaks, arcs, lights went away! I don’t know if it was due to healing, neuroadaptation, the IOL or a combination. Other Note: I did see a doctor’s testimonial on that specific B & L lens I got in the right eye as the only one he uses (to avoid dysphotopsias).

I don’t know the extent of your symptoms, but, it being “only” 5 weeks, I’d wait and hope healing and neuroadaptation would ease the problem. I FULLY agree with avoiding lens exchange if possible.

Quick story: I had a different “minor” procedure for a different “annoyance” done on my left eye in late 2023. Catastrophic.

Good luck!

Hello mauigirl17,

As to me, my right eye remains free of dysphotopia.

As I said, I INITIALLY thought that all my efforts to get the round edge IOL were a waste. BUT, at 4 months post surgery, the streaks, arcs, lights went away! I don’t know if it was due to healing, neuroadaptation, the IOL or a combination. Other Note: I did see a doctor’s testimonial on that specific B & L lens I got in the right eye as the only one he uses (to avoid dysphotopsias).

I don’t know the extent of your symptoms, but, it being “only” 5 weeks, I’d wait and hope healing and neuroadaptation would ease the problem. I FULLY agree with avoiding lens exchange if possible.

Quick story: I had a different “minor” procedure for a different “annoyance” done on my left eye in late 2023. Catastrophic.

Good luck!

Could you elaborate on the "minor" procedure on your left eye that went badly? Was that a yag by any chance? I have the Maddox Rod effect and my surgeon has gold me there is a chance that a yag would make matters worse.

Tillymack,

No, nothing to do with YAG capsulotomy.

Briefly: I had a 2nd FOV on my left eye to clear residual floaters. Dr said that, industrywide, there was a 1 in 7,500 chance of infection, but he had never had one in his 35 years as a surgeon, so he considered my risk 0%. Despite this glowing contention, in and after surgery, I had a bleed and infection that caused me permanent retinal damage. I have constant central scotomas that block my vision so that I can’t read a book or street signs. Binocularly, these left eye scotomas overwhelm the vision of the good, right eye causing, for example, clouds when there are no clouds and missing parts of electrical lines. Not good.

I'm so so sorry this happened to you...
I may have told you that I took the risk (which was downplayed by my cataract surgeon) to have a lens exchange. I regret that so much now...
This reminds me of my unintended monovision where my distance eye seems to take over for distance and near eye for near... I wonder if that might happen eventually with your eyes?

Tillymack,

No, nothing to do with YAG capsulotomy.

Briefly: I had a 2nd FOV on my left eye to clear residual floaters. Dr said that, industrywide, there was a 1 in 7,500 chance of infection, but he had never had one in his 35 years as a surgeon, so he considered my risk 0%. Despite this glowing contention, in and after surgery, I had a bleed and infection that caused me permanent retinal damage. I have constant central scotomas that block my vision so that I can’t read a book or street signs. Binocularly, these left eye scotomas overwhelm the vision of the good, right eye causing, for example, clouds when there are no clouds and missing parts of electrical lines. Not good.

Find a corneal surgeon and have a lens exchange. My doctor pushed multifocal lenses on me and I’ve had problems ever since. When he ignored my positive dystophotopsia and proceeded like nothing was wrong it crushed me. I couldn’t believe a doctor would let a patient live with all those visual disturbances.
Luckily I was able to find a surgeon to do a lens exchange. Going to mono focal. So I’ll have to wear glasses. It’s better than halos, starburst and haze.