YAG Laser Iridotomy Complications

Posted by jigglejaws94 @jigglejaws94, Sep 25, 2016

Has anyone had a laser iridotomy with resultant "ghost images" or a crescent of light in field of vision?

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@aliskahan

Hi @jigglejaws94, welcome to Connect. I found some information on laser iridotomy that says the following:

"Mild light sensitivity and a scratchy feeling on the surface of the eye are also common for 24-72 hours after the procedure. Very rarely, the patient may experience an extra “ghost image” through the tiny opening in the iris. This may be annoying for a while but almost all of the few patients who develop this complication eventually get used to it." Here is the article in case you'd like to read it in-depth: http://bit.ly/2d3Alam

Since this is a more rare side-effect, you may still want to follow up with your doctor about what you're experiencing. I'm also tagging @jinngee who has written about laser iridotomy in the past and might be able to weigh in as well. How long ago was your procedure?

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Do the side effects go away over time?

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@karen888

and since then you have side effects?

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Yes. New side effect being streak/glare. One for each eye done.

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@quincy9

October 2015 the month I turned 50 lol
some more about me; have been farsighted since 2.5 years old, had lasik for my farsightedness and astigmatisms in 2002. I am in glasses again, but not a strong prescription as prior to that.

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and since then you have side effects?

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@karen888

when did you do iridotomy?

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October 2015 the month I turned 50 lol
some more about me; have been farsighted since 2.5 years old, had lasik for my farsightedness and astigmatisms in 2002. I am in glasses again, but not a strong prescription as prior to that.

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@quincy9

I can definitely relate the glare with windows from inside. I’m always bothered by it unless I can’t get away from the source, such as when I watched my daughter play a softball game on a lighted ball field at night. It was quite distracting.

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when did you do iridotomy?

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@uninj

I am currently about 60 hours after my iridotomy and my eyes hurt a great deal. Experiencing light sensitivity and slight ghost vision that I think is getting better.

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Why did you do iridotomy?

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I am currently about 60 hours after my iridotomy and my eyes hurt a great deal. Experiencing light sensitivity and slight ghost vision that I think is getting better.

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@jigglejaws94

Unfortunately it happens to some patients. It is called a dysphotopsia. I had bilateral peripheral iridotomies over two years ago and I still have residual crescent of light that I can sometimes see. It is the worst when watching a movie on our big screen TV, when driving in sunlight without sunglasses or when looking directly towards a window that is too bright. I doubt mine will ever change as it has remained essentially the same since fall of 2016. I will say that there have been stretches of time that go by that I don't seem to notice it as much but then later will be bothered again. Sorry to hear that you are experiencing this.

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I can definitely relate the glare with windows from inside. I’m always bothered by it unless I can’t get away from the source, such as when I watched my daughter play a softball game on a lighted ball field at night. It was quite distracting.

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@karen888

how are you now?

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Hi. Still the same. As long as I don’t look at lights I don’t notice it or it’s just that I’ve gotten used to it.

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