Second cataract surgery / PCO onset / potential PVD
Posted , 3 users are following.
I had a drama filled second (right eye) cataract surgery yesterday! Unfortunately my stress levels hit the roof only an hour before my taxi was due to pick me up as I suddenly started experiencing bright arc-like or semi circle flashes of light in my left eye every time I made rapid eye movements.
This was so alarming I rang the hospital for advice and they of course suggested I come along if not just to get my left eye checked.
Despite this I went ahead with the surgery to my right eye, which was more painful and seemed to take forever. They say you feel "pressure" but in my case it was pain!
My consultant mentioned my left eye had been far sight overcorrected and hence under corrected the right by 0.50 diopter. I was - -2.25 left, -2.75 right and now have +16 IOL in both eyes. It was to be +15.50 in my right but this was altered after my left eye test results.
Following the surgery the consultant examined my left eye assuring me the IOL had not moved and retina appeared fine. He agreed the flashes might be a PVD and advised to keep an eye on it (excuse pun!).
However he then went on to say I had developed a secondary cataract in my left eye (only after only 4 weeks) and that this would need YAG Laser treatment! I am somewhat disappointed about this as I was hoping that would be that in terms of any more tampering or corrective measures with my eyes! I just feel like more obstacles are being chucked at me.
So today my right eye is swollen, sore and light sensitive - vision is amazing however with near sight just a bit sharper at arms length than the left eye. The left eye is being negatively impacted by the second cataract already so everything in low light has a very slight blur.
More worrying however are the very distinct arc like flashes of light in my left eye peripheral vision - not as noticeable as yesterday but still prevalent enough to raise my stress levels. I've noticed more floaters in my left eye as well. Having this my left eye and a new lens settling in my right is stressful to say the least.
I am trying to recall if I experienced a similar visual disturbance in 2020 when my right eye went through PVD. I had a real light show then but it subsided pretty quickly with no damage to my retina.
Has anyone else experienced these arcs of light after cataract surgery? And was it PVD or something else?
Think i need a stiff whisky after all this. 😉
0 likes, 8 replies
RonAKA elizabeth03298
Edited
I have had these issues and am still puzzled about the real source of the light flashing. I originally thought they were flashes of light due to reflections off the edges of the IOL, but in my right eye they started occuring at exactly the same time as a PVD event, so between the coincidental time and the persuasion of the ophthalmologist and optometrist I accepted that they were PVD flashes. However many months later I am still seeing them, and I think the flashes are potentially due to both PVD and edge reflections. I now most frequently see them in a dark room at night when there are point sources of light off to the side typically from another room, and my eyes are open. I kind of think those are lens edge reflections. Seems to me if I understand the PVD flashing one should see them even if your eyes are closed. It is a bit confusing, but I am not sure they are really a serious issue.
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It is good that they took the results from your first eye and factored that into the power selection for the second eye. I think there are a lot of surgeons that can't be bothered to do that. That is the reason for waiting for the first eye to be stable, and then getting a refraction, before proceeding with the second eye.
elizabeth03298 RonAKA
Posted
Thanks for your response Ron.
I am still automatically checking my iPhone without glasses! This is going to take some getting use! I admit I am slightly mourning the loss of my near vision.
Its confusing isn't it as these symptoms seem to overlap with others and it cant be easy for an ophthalmologist to determine the cause
This flashing arc is nothing like the slight side light source flickering or pulsing I am experiencing which, joy of joy, I have in both eyes now! Its like a disco!
When these flashing arcs commenced in such a timely fashion right before my surgery yesterday they were so vivid I knew quite unmistakably this was a new visual phenomenon. Moving my eye in any direction caused this semi circle of light. I was naturally very concerned.
As I mentioned Ive had a PVD already in my right eye and seemed to recall the flashes dissipated very quickly but it might be different for you. Perhaps the vitreous gel pulled away more cleanly in my right eye, hence the visual effects were short lived.
I guess I will have to wait and see if it subsides - might get a second opinion if not.
Have you had the YAG laser treatment?
RonAKA elizabeth03298
Edited
I have procrastinated on my YAG for my left eye. I can't say that I really see the PCO although the optometrist says it is there. I had an appointment to see another ophthalmologist than the one that did my cataract surgery. He is a laser specialist and I had hoped to get Lasik to deal with my astigmatism, but he said I was not a candidate because of potential keratoconus. But, that got me on a recall schedule to see if the keratoconus is stable or not. My appointment for that is in October, and my optometrist agreed he would be a good surgeon to do the YAG. So my plan is to get a second opinion on the PCO from him, but since he is in that business I am expecting him to say I need it. But, then again he sure was not willing to jump in an do the Lasik which he said was too risky for me. He seems well respected and I think will give me an honest opinion.
I think there is no doubt that cataract surgery increases the risk of PVD but the statistics show it is more likely to happen some time after surgery, not immediately.
karin08666 elizabeth03298
Posted
I had the flashing arc light in my left eye day after surgery and also described it as a disco show in my eye. I only had it for the one day though. I have had the flickering/pulsing in both of my eyes since day after surgery which was 4 1/2 months ago. Some days it is worse than others. I have read that for the majority of people it will eventually go away, but could take up to 12 months.
I had PCO develop 2 1/2 weeks after surgery. As it was affecting my vision (I couldn't drive at night, and was starting to have a hard time reading a book) I had YAG done on both eyes.
What lens do you have? I have the Tecnis 1 monofocal in both eyes.
elizabeth03298 RonAKA
Posted
Hi Ron, I would feel the same as you about the YAG. I've more floaters in my left eye since last week (coinciding with occasional flashing arcs of lights) and I'm not too keen to collect more. Plus I've read the YAG can cause pitting in the lens?
Perhaps I'm just being unnecessarily paranoid but before cataract surgery I assumed all these secondary complications were statistically low only to have developed PCO just 4 weeks after surgery - doesn't bode well for my right eye.
In addition, I feel sure my left eye is going through a PVD currently. Still have peripheral flashes and some lovely new floaters, including a nice blob, which quite alarmingly came about when I waiting for surgery on my second eye. It's like I now have a bag of floaters swinging around in my eye.
Although the consultant assured me my retina looked fine, I've booked an appointment on Tues to receive an OCT scan at Boots Opticians as I want the extra assurance.
The slick marketing splurge with cataract surgery makes it sound like its a walk in the park promising hassle free perfect vision, but its just patching up a problem with the potential for other problems to emerge. I was out with my sister and niece last night and noticed the same starbursts from oncoming lights I experienced pre-surgery! A bit disappointing but its early days with my right eye and perhaps the YAG will take care of that in my left.
elizabeth03298 karin08666
Posted
Hi Karin,
The flickering is so annoying isn't it, although I think my brain is starting to filter it out a little in my left eye, especially since I've now started fixating on the flashing arcs of light and worrying about my retina.
Interestingly I've filmed my eye at such an angle that you can see the flickering in the pupil so it's definitely down to the high refractive index of the IOL, which in my case is Alcon Acrosof IQ lens. Both are +16 diopter.
How did you find your vision following the YAG? Any residual effects or was it perfect?
RonAKA elizabeth03298
Posted
"Plus I've read the YAG can cause pitting in the lens?"
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You depend on the skill of the surgeon to focus the laser on the capsule and not on the lens. It is very precise work, but I suspect in their mind very easy...
karin08666 elizabeth03298
Posted
I would have waited to get YAG done, except my vision was deteriorating. Couldn't drive at night, street signs were getting hard to read and even reading a book was starting to get hard. My optometrist said it was the cleanest YAG he had ever seen, so my eye surgeon did a really good job. My optometrist took pictures and I couldn't see any pitting of the lens. Like Ron says you depend on the surgeon to be skilled and I have a lot of faith in my eye surgeon and he did an amazing job. Before the YAG I didn't have star bursts around lights, but now I do. I think that is because there is more light coming in now that the PCO is gone. The star bursts are not as bad as they first were, so my brain is deciding I don't need to see them, thank goodness. I wish my brain would decide I didn't need to see the flickering either.
I read some posts on this forum about the YAG and one person said to make sure to hold your head and eyes very still. I took that advice and looked at the spot he told me to look at and didn't move my eyes or my head at all. I am glad I read that post because I think it helps the surgeon to do his best work.
You have a lot going on with the PVD, floaters, flashing and flickering and my heart goes out to you. This cataract journey is not as easy for everyone as they make it sound. I wish you well and hope everything settles down for you and you have a good outcome.