Light Streaks after YAG Procedure
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi. I had the YAG procedure in my right eye maybe 2 months ago. Recently, I started seeing two streaks of light from light sources at night, extending through the field of vision. The streaks are always at a NW to SE orientation. Depending on the position of my eye, I can duplicate another line to make a perfect 'X'.
There can be many more lines, also depending on eye position and the lines flicker and shake or jiggle much of the time, I'm guessing from eye movement.
Simple solution, don't go out at night. Not a fan of that fix. I was reading that maybe a second YAG in that eye could help, but I'm not anxious to go messing it.
I don't think I can neuro-adapt this away and it is making me crazy. Any similarly afflicted victims that can help?
Thanks.
0 likes, 11 replies
soks MikeMess
Posted
2 possibilities. the the X flaps of the capsule will eventually drop back out of visual sight. the yag opening might be too small.
the 2nd is the iol could have been pitted during YAG. no solution as exchange after yag is not recommended.
X method is the cruciate method of YAG.
ann39244 MikeMess
Posted
What is happening to your vision closely matches my situation. However, I got the YAG to FIX the light streaks I was having.
At my first right eye cataract surgery, I had a multi-focal lens inserted . That lens gave me HUGE starbursts making night time driving dangerous.So I had the multi-focal lens replaced and immediately after surgery was left with super long light streaks still making night time driving dangerous. Then I had the YAG to fix the streaks BUT I STILL HAVE THEM, though they are shorter in length, and where I see them in my vision is unpredictable, they move around just like you say they do for you,
I have been trying to figure out what to do. I also went through the insertion/removal/insertion process in my left eye, was left with light streaks that interfere with my night time driving but I have not had the YAG to get rid of those light streaks.
I think my insurance company and I are being duped by the physicians.
I am very interested in finding out what you decide to do. Night time driving is not something I want to give up, especially now that daylight savings time is here.
MikeMess
Posted
Hi, Ann39244. I had an appointment this week with the Dr. that did the YAG. Complicating matters, I am allergic to a preservative (I think) in the usual dilating drops, so he could only use a weaker one. That did open things up enough that we able to see a small capsular fold that may be causing the issue, but he wasn't sure at all. He can't explain the timing in that it started a month after the YAG.
Interestingly, with my eye slightly dilated, I could see many more light streaks. He explained that the issue lies beyond where the pupil is when it's light out. That is why I mostly see it only when it's dark and the pupil expands to cover the problem area.
The main streak is diagonal (as it seems EVERYONE'S are). Depending on the position of my head, I can see another diagonal line for a perfect 'X'. Those diagonal lines do not move, however, the thinner ones I see jiggle. The jiggling and the part of the streaks that extend between me and the car in front of me are VERY distracting for night driving. If it gets worse, it won't be safe.
I'm hoping to neuro-adapt this away, just as I am doing with a disabling indoor light sensitivity issue that started immediately after the initial cataract surgeries. Not having much luck with so far. The Dr. wants me to come back in three months to re-evaluate. He will probably enlarge the hole he made during the YAG procedure or something.
Meanwhile, I'm waiting for a response about this from Dr. Randall Olsen and the Moran eye center in Salt Lake City. The local Dr. treating me is awesome, the best I can find in the area, but Dr. Olsen is (I think) the best in the business. He even coined the term 'dysphotopsia'.
ann39244 MikeMess
Posted
Hi, did Dr. Olsen have an answer for the Light streaks that were apparent after your YAG procedure?
I am still living with mine but am still bothered by them. I don't know what to do.
Thank you, Ann Wittneben
MikeMess ann39244
Posted
Hi, Ann. I only got to see Dr Olsen once a few years ago. He was excited about research but I think he is not seeing patients anymore. I saw Dr McKillop in Seattle just yesterday and he does not know what is causing the light streaks, I'm unable to neuroadapt them away, if they get worse I will be unable to drive at night.
So, it appears we are in same boat. I also have a residual problem with indoor lights that was improved with neuroadaptation, but hiding from Covid in my home isn't helping me get the exposure I need, Winco was a horror show the other night.
If you squint at night, the light streaks look just like my right eye always sees them. I don't know what to do, just like you.
soks MikeMess
Posted
what lens do you have?
MikeMess soks
Posted
Tecnis ZA9003
kevin77191 MikeMess
Edited
I have the light streaks in my right eye with Symfony lens. They only started after I had the YAG. I've been dealing with them for 4 years and they have not gotten better. It's been a nightmare. I think it's pieces of the bag that were lasered away. When I look up, they all float up, and then slowly down with the lights reflecting off them creating light streaks. I've looked into a vitrectomy but the consult surgeon suggested against it He said, "just try to ignore them". You think I would be here if that worked? I have a referral out to see another doctor to get his opinion. I do also have alot more glare after the YAG and when I got a 2nd opinion from another ophthamologist (just a regular cataract surgeon), he said that he thought the YAG hole was too small. My operating surgeon disagreed and here I am now lol
MikeMess kevin77191
Posted
About three months ago, the surgeon who did the YAG also suggested that maybe the YAG hole was too small and could be enlarged, but at the appointment yesterday he took another look and did not think that was the case. The doctor suggested I see him again in a year. A year?!?!
The light streaks have never felt like it was something that could be neuroadapted away, like the light sensitivity. Reading your comment from 4 years down the road seems to confirm that. However, I do not have the floaters you do. How long after the YAG did the streaking start? I think it was at least a week or two after for me, so there was a lag. That is puzzling to my eye Dr.
I can't really just ignore these streaks coming at me from light sources while I drive as they are flashing across my field of vision and moving (I think due to eye movements). I just try to look away, but it's difficult to do all the time. At some point maybe I will just wear an eye patch over the afflicted eye when I drive at night, but there goes any depth perception and the 'good' eye does see a substantial starburst effect.
kevin77191 MikeMess
Posted
Yeah I feel your pain Mike. I think in these type of cases there's not much they can do really and a lot of times they have no idea what's causing the issue.
I know there are different techniques for YAG so maybe mine did it differently, but I noticed it right away after. I was loving my Symfony at 1st and then once I had the YAG, thats when all the issues started. I also have this issue during the day, looking at my computer etc when I move my eyes and its almost like my lens fogs up for a split second. I assume its just light reflecting again like it does at night. It also made my eye way more light sensitive. I wear sunglasses when i'm on the computer.
MikeMess kevin77191
Posted
Hi, Kevin. I don't have a problem using the computer, but I do see the streaks occasionally during the day under just the right conditions.
It's interesting, when I move my eyes to a light source at night, I can initially see a whole cluster of streaks. Then, a split second later all that is left is the two main ones I always see, plus some fainter ones. It's almost like there is some adaptatation taking place.
If I have my head in just the right position, there is a perfect 'X' of light streaks. That has to be a clue, right? I think these cases happen so rarely that most eye doctors have never heard of them before, they just say the lens looks fine when they examine it. They just have no idea on what is causing the issue and the one doctor who could help previously is basically retiring from seeing patients. That doctor was the head of eh John Moran eye center in Salt Lake City, even his assistant there was top notch. I think my next step (once vaccinated!) will another trip there to see who is taking his place. There is public transportation directly from the airport to the eye center, so it's an easy trip. However, I'm only 59, so in the general population that will get the vaccine last.