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Radiating lines from point source of light

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mike88020
mike88020

I had cataract surgery in my left eye yesterday with a lens to correct my bad shortsight  (9 dioptre).  I caught the reflection of the sun this morning from the   car and noticed two lines radiating out from this point source.  Since then I've noticed the same effect on any point source such as LEDs, small halogen ights etc.   The result is infinitely worse then the very minor cataract that I had.

Will this go away in a few days time and is just the eye settling down?

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • donelson
    donelson mike88020

    Posted

    @Seaborn

    Yes there are two procedures, one to clear the protein buildup from the back of the capsule, and the other to remove part of the back of the capsule.

    I do not know why they chose to cut the hole rather than blast the protein buildup.

  • mike88020
    mike88020

    Posted

    How quickly does a PCO occur?  I get the impression that it can be several months after the cataract surgery rather than days.  My left eye was checked and no wrinkles found in the posterior capsule. There was some surface defects (lines/dents ...) in the IOL which were aligned in the direction of the two radiating lines.

    In my right eye, there was no time to do a pupil diation and so it was only a quick check but this time the defects were at right angles.  I'm down to see my consultant in a couple of weeks time and I'll be more assertive this time than I was previously.  His explanation of 'probably some astigmatiosm' in the left eye won't wash this time.

  • Guest
    Guest mike88020

    Posted

    I am 67. The fibrosis existed somewhat prior to the cataract surgery. The post surgical steroid eyedrops hastened the onset of the PCO. The left eye was fully evident at 3 weeks, the right eye at 5 where they made themselves noticeable enough affect my vision and to require surgery.
  • mike88020
    mike88020

    Posted

    It's interesting to note that the right eye appears to be following exactly ehat happened with my left eye.  Two radiating lines followed by them disappearing which supports the theory that it is just the eye settling down after the operation. But the left eye then went on to manifest the two radiating lines again - albeit shorter in length.  So we shall have to see how the right eye fares. 

    Down to see the consultant next week and so some searching questions to be asked.

    • mike88020
      mike88020

      Posted

      OK...saw the consultant and mentioned the radiating lines in the left eye. He asked me if they were at 'this angle' indicating the angle wth his arm. 'Yes' I replied whereupon he said that there was a wrinkle at right-angles (as I'd previously conjectured via Googling) in the posterior capsule and that if it didn't go away eventually then a YAG procedure would sort it.

      Interestingly, a couple of days later, as per the left eye, the radiating lines returned in my right eye.

      So here is my theory. One - the replacement IOL is smaller that the natural lens. The cataract operation takes place but immediately afterwards there is too much slack in the rear of the posterior capsule which causes a wrinkle (hence radiating lines).  Then as part of the bodies natural reaction to the surgery, the pressure in the capsule increases slightly, which removes the wrinkle (temporarily) and the radiating lines go away.  As nature takes its course, that pressure gradually subsides and the wrinkle re-appears.

      Whether or not it goes (taking the radiating lines with it) depends on the elasticity of the posterior capsule wall.

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