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Delicate light rays extend from light sources

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judith93585
judith93585

I'm 3 weeks post op on first cataract surgery. I've noticed delicate light rays extending (mostly horizontally) from light sources, specially car headlights and street lights. Reminds me of cat whiskers. My surgeon says it's probably dry eyes. I do have dry eyes and have held off on treatments like the Bruder mask and wipes post surgery, but I do use Systane Hydration PF liberally. Someone suggested it might be a fold or wrinkle which apparently can be fixed with a YAG laser. That said, does anyone here know IF it is a fold or wrinkle, would it necessarily need to be fixed if not bothersome? This is MUCH less bothersome than prior to surgery. Many thanks!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • RonAKA
    RonAKA judith93585

    Edited

    I have this starburst effect in both of my IOL eyes. One has an AcrySof IQ lens and the other a Clareon lens. Essentially both are the same. It seems optometrists and ophthalmologists blame a lot of things on dry eyes. I use dry eye drops too, but more for comfort than to improve vision. I think some of the issues I used to blame contacts for, perhaps could have really been dry eye. All the drops are not the same, and I think sodium hyaluronate is one of the most effective ingredients. Don't think the Systane product has any. I use HydraSense Advanced which contains 0.15% sodium hyaluronate. I believe you can get it on Amazon. I buy it at Costco here for a reasonable price - 3 vials for $24. I will post a link to a good article on the various products available, at least in Canada.

    • judith93585
      judith93585 RonAKA

      Posted

      Thanks so much the reassurance and suggestion! For a change, I ordered new drops with sodium hyaluronate (Refresh Relieva PF) early this morning. Just checked my old faithful Systane Hydration Preservative-Free which happily also includes sodium hyaluronate. That said, neither lists the percentage. I've been spending a fortune on these one time use vial drops. In the past, I'd use the same vial for 24 hours, BUT just yesterday I noticed an ANT in the vial after just a few hours!

    • RonAKA
      RonAKA judith93585

      Edited

      Refresh Relieva PF says it contains:

      Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (0.5%)

      Eye Lubricant

      Glycerin (0.9%)

      Eye Lubricant

      .

      But I see no sodium hyaluronate. You may want to wait for that article link to be moderated. There are a number of products listed that contain from 0.1% to 0.3%.

      .

      My wife swears by HyLo 0.1%. I swear at it because it costs $37 per 10 ml vial!

    • judith93585
      judith93585 RonAKA

      Edited

      Thanks for trying to post the article. I'll be very interested. Sodium hyaluronate is listed under inactive ingredients in the Systane and Refresh drops on Amazon. Probably not enough to be included as active ingredients. That HyLo is expensive!

  • jo61855
    jo61855 judith93585

    Edited

    I have allergies that affect my skin along with my eyes. Earlier, the eye surgeon said my right eye seemed dry and gave me a prescription for Restasis eye drops. It's expensive. After looking at the disclosure information, I didn't fill the prescription. I use Refresh Plus Preservative free in individual vials as needed and take antihistamine Zyrtec to reduce the allergy symptoms.

    My left eye may have a wrinkle, doctor says it is post-surgery scar tissue. When walking downstairs with only night lights on, there is a horizontal line which moves from mid-eye down until it disappears. It is like a waterfall effect. I don't want a laser treatment until absolutely necessary.

    • judith93585
      judith93585 jo61855

      Posted

      Thanks Jo!

      I agree. Has your eye fully healed? I've heard a wrinkle can disappear once healing is complete. Fingers crossed for both of us!

  • judith93585
    judith93585

    Edited

    Thanks Lynda. I haven't tried driving at night but so far these rays don't seem like they would interfere, at least nothing like pre-surgery when I saw huge round halos.

    Switching topics, did you mention previously that you can see the interior of your home without wearing glasses? If yes, I wanted to ask you more about how clearly you see. I too can manage inside and outside except for driving. I currently have only one eye corrected and see better than anticipated but of course I really didn't know what to expect!

    • Lynda111
      Lynda111 judith93585

      Edited

      Judith

      I can see the interior of my home fine.

      I only wear glasses for prolonged reading of printed material. Sometimes when driving at night on unfamiliar roads I also wear glasses. I have two pair of prescription glasses. One for reading and one for distance.

      But remember, the refractive outcome of surgery will vary from patient to patient. My outcome, as I said before, surprised me and my cataract surgeon. I asked her to aim both eyes for intermediate vision. I fully expected to continue to wear eyeglasses as I did before cataract surgery, only they wouldn't be as strong a prescription. She said I got lucky because of where the axis fell. My uncorrected astigmatism probably also helped with my near vision. Mine was an unusual case. I don't think anyone should count on that happening for themselves.

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