1. Community
  2. Eyes
  3. Cataract

light sensitivity after cataract surgery

Posted , 4 users are following.

barbara24111
barbara24111

I had cataract surgery yesterday and have flashes of light when not wearing my sunglasses.  For others on this site who who have experienced this, how long did it last?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • alison92821
    alison92821 barbara24111

    Posted

    I experienced extreme light sesitivit y and sore eyes after cataract surgery.   Finally, doctor recommended hot compress 10 mins on eye followed by "milking" tear ducts - pushing up to relieve any possible clogging due to surgery, eye drops etc.   Also an eye support vitamin.  Made  huge difference.  Talk to your doctor. Mine got better, but I think dry eye will remain.  I am 72.

    • barbara24111
      barbara24111 alison92821

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  I'm not experiencing anywhere near what you did.  I'm just seeing small flashes of light.  I have had no pain at all.  I did mention it to my doctor when I went in for my post surgery followup.  He just said that sensitivity to light is something that occurs after cataract surgery.  I just wondered how long it lasted for other members of this community.

    • rick03247
      rick03247 barbara24111

      Posted

      Hi Barbara. Sensitivity to light is normal after surgery and does settle down after a week or so. Your just adjusting to the surgery which is amazing. I also get halos (rings of light) in  darkened areas but i got used to them. I think the amazing vision thats like HD is brilliant. You should have had eye drops prescribed, steroid and antibiotic for about a month. These will settle everything down so not to worry. Mine was a great sucess and hope yours is too.  
    • barbara24111
      barbara24111 rick03247

      Posted

      Hi Rick.  I am using prolensa, which is an anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, once a day for a month, and the generic brand of tobradex, which is an antibiotic, 4 times a day for 7 days, 3 times a day for next 7 days, 2 times a day for next 7 days and 1 time a day for next 7 days.  I just read a few minutes ago that sensitivity to light is a side effect of both these drugs.  So along with light sensitivity being a side effect of cataract surgery, I guess it's pretty hard to avoid.  I have had absolutely no pain so I guess that's a good thing (smile).

    • rick03247
      rick03247 barbara24111

      Posted

      Hi Barbara, no pain is good and sounds like everything is normal and settling down. Also how is your vision so far compared to what it was before surgery. I cannot fault the surgery bar a few halos, but it so nice to drive without needing glassess and able to wear sunglassess. Always protect your eyes with good sunglassess, i used to drive for a job and never wore sunglassess and always squinting. Surgeon said sun damage was a contributing factor to my cataracts as i was only 49 at the time. 
  • Sue.An
    Sue.An barbara24111

    Posted

    Sensitivity to light is normal after cataract surgery.  I had to wear sunglasses even inside for a couple of weeks- especially on sunny days.  Cataracts gave everything a slight brownish tiny.  I hadn’t noticed that yellowing of cord until after first surgery when I could compare vision between eyes.   The sensitivity to light will lessen a bit over coming weeks.  I have blue eyes and have always been a bit sensitive to bright light.  Sunglasses are a must for driving for me even now - a year after surgery.

    Do you notice the flashing of light when a light is perpendicular to your eyes?   Or when turning your head?  Sometimes light catches the edge of the IOL and you’ll see a shimmering.  I noticed that in the early weeks after surgery but it went away.  Your eyes will take time to adjust to this.  

    How is  your vision otherwise?  

    • barbara24111
      barbara24111 Sue.An

      Posted

      Hi Sue.An.  I just read that light sensitivity  is a side effect of both of the eye drops I'm taking.  So along with light sensitivity being a side effect of cataract surgery, I guess it's unavoidable.  No, I'm not turning my head when I see the flashing of light.  It's just in general.  It's similar to the blinking of a light bulb that is about to blow out.  My vision otherwise comes and goes. For instance, sometimes I can see the small writing on TV and sometimes it kind of bleeds.  However, I have had absolutely no pain so far, so that's a good thing (smile).

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An barbara24111

      Posted

      Many of those symptoms (vision wise) are side effects to the drops.  Good that you have clear vision time to time- it will get much better once drop regiment is over.  I didn’t have pain either - so that is good you don’t have that.   
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.