Increase in flashes of light after laser treatment for retinal hole
Posted , 5 users are following.
Got laser done in both eyes because one side had a hole in it and the other side was thinning. After a decrease of flashes in the first week (for me its like flickers/sparkles of light) I feel like now (second-third week) I'm still seeing the same amount of flashes as I used to before and there has even been an increase in flashes and now I'm also seeing this weird static electricity /shimmer of light that I didn't see before. I didn't exercise or do anything active in the last two weeks except a few light household tasks and walking (slowly) around the house. I've also noticed that it gets worse when I walk around the house though I walk very slow so not sure if thats connected to it. Should I be worried? I've read in some cases its normal to see flashes after laser treatment for a retinal hole.
0 likes, 8 replies
clayton19233 SaraLazreen
Posted
Sara
im sorry but i got the same effect after my laser for a retinal tear and it hasnt gone away after 9 months. The Drs keep saying it might go away but i dont think they know. Truthfully its been devastating for me.
I get mine when i move from sunlight to darker spaces or from florescent lights. i now have to avoid sunlight exposure - im truly sorry you are experiencing this and the Drs will make you think it had nothing to do with the laser procedure.
SaraLazreen clayton19233
Posted
Hi Clayton
I'm sorry you're going through this as well. Mine is mostly when I look at light spaces, so say a white wall or the sky, and sometimes right when I wake up in the morning. It truly is horrible.
I hope you get better soon!
clayton19233 SaraLazreen
Posted
man i can only hope and pray it diminishes over time - it really sucks
TiffanyNOLA SaraLazreen
Posted
i also have the flashes of light after retinal hole and lattice degeneration laser treatment. it appeared a week or so after treatment and has not improved (left eye was 2 years ago, right eye was 8 months ago). i believe it has to do with scar tissue of the retina caused by the laser. my retinal specialist said some people experience it and in some cases it never goes away. that being said i have adjusted over time and it is less noticeable now but it is still there. it is especially noticeable when going from light to dark and worse after exposure to bright light. I also get dry eye, blurriness, increased floaters, glare, halos, afterimages, and some specks of light randomly more in my central vision at times they are purple blobs since the laser. The consistent lights are more in my peripheral vision. I am here if you need to chat, I nearly had an emotional breakdown the first 6 months after treatment because i was so upset and my doctor at the time was dismissive and could not explain my symptoms. I was not at all prepared for the side effects, in hindsight that surgeon was quite neglectful in informing me.
TiffanyNOLA
Posted
i do also experience blue field entopic phenomenon after the procedure which is more noticeable when looking at the sky, white wall, and white paper.
clayton19233 TiffanyNOLA
Posted
Tiffany
i get so upset thinking about this whole thing and the lack of solutions after the damage he did. Ive gone to several opthas and they all think im crazy and "there is no correlation between the laser procedure and the lights". It is almost criminal in my mind but suing doctors in canada is almost impossible.
the only peace i get is knowing its not just me. i did a video on youtube - search for "retinal laser complications". all i can do now is warn people. comment on the video if you want your voice heard.
i also was devastated and its ruined my personal and professional life, and none of the drs seem to care. they think they did me a favor by lazering around a hole. ive had to take medication for my anxiety and move to a rainy city as its the only relief i get. i wish i couod go back in time and not do it but of course i cant.
clayton19233 SaraLazreen
Posted
sara / tiffany
one thing i wanted to mention is i have found a company that can make prescription sunglasses that eliminates the sunlight to dark flashers. it allows you to still get sun exposure.
let me know if you want to know more.
Matt0406 SaraLazreen
Edited
hi everyone, glad to have found this discussion as it is one of those times that I notice shimmering on my peripheral vision, left eye. hoping its just the anxiety of this pandemic that causes me to feel/see things more than usual.
Sharing my experience to help and hopefully get answers too.
I had vitrectomy, scleral buckle ,laser and IOL transplant done on both eyes, my left eye about 3 years ago and right eye 4 years ago.
Current situation:
Left eye- some blind spots and wavy line. hazy peripheral vision. There are time like now that i see shimmering on my peripheral vision.
Right Eye- macula got detached 5 years ago and I didn't have it operated on for a month. tunnel vision with a huge blind spot in the middle. there is this constant ceiling fan effect that I can see 24/7 but I guess my brain has gotten used to it.
I had these side-effects since right after my procedures and my doctor always says it is stable so I am thinking what we are all experiencing are the collateral damage to save a significant amount of our vision. they are always there but our brain gets used to it. There are times that make me worry, like bow that I could see the shimmering in my left eye more often.
Usually what I do to make sure that its not a new tear is I go in for an eye examination but unfortunately, I am bot able to do that due to this pandemic, which makes me anxious and worried.
Hopefully you guys could share your own experiences and let me know if there is anything I could do to know if this is a new tear or just one of the usual shimmers I see due to the trauma my eyes took from the procedures.
Thank you everyone.