Shadow after operation which was 8 months ago now

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The cataract op went well and my sight is very good again. However I have a shadow that seems to be on the left of my left eye. No surgeon can see it and I am told it should disappear but normally that happens within 3 months, I am told. It seems to be there even if I cover my right eye up! I gather this is because I am seeing the lens, or its edge, but is not common. Has anyone had anything like it and did it disappear? Does this happen gradually or all of a sudden? Thanks for any comments as it does get very irritating, especially when driving or walking outside.

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Dennis, After two weeks or so after the cataract operation to my left eye I developed a round shadow in the centre of the eye and was diagnosed with central macular edema. I was operated last january and the problem cleared up last may.

    I wonder if you could have developed an other kind of macular edema? Have they checked for macular edema through a scan to the eye?

    • Posted

      Hi Gmari,

      Well its not in the centre of the eye and they have examined it. It is well to the side of the eye but I will ask about that. Glad to hear it cleared up!

  • Posted

    No expert, but sounds like you may have what's termed negative dysphotopsia. You can, of course, google it for more info. It was also mentioned in the topic "flickering light in eye after cataract surgery" on this board.

    I have what I believe is positive dysphotopsia, which I've had since my cataract surgery over 10 mos ago. Sadly there doesen't seem to be a strong theory or anything approaching a reliable cure.  Nonetheless mine has been so disturbing, along with other visual abberations (glare haloes, rays etc) that next week I'm going in to have a piggyback lens put in in hopes is will improve my situation. Wish I could feel it was more than a hail mary.

    Good luck.

    • Posted

      Thanks for writing in. I have seen some of this before but took it more seriously and looked again, as it does seem exactly like my own symptoms. I did not add that it does get me down sometimes. It's your sight and difficult not to think about it as I walk out in the street, or drive. It's always there as the shadow right at the edge of my sight. What I cannot find out is what actually causes it and the surgeon has been non communicative about it, saying it should go over time. I wondered if it was the type of lens or size that has caused it but cannot find out.

      Good luck with the piggyback lens and hope it helps you, when you have it done. 

    • Posted

      Hi, I had my left eye done on March 11th this year. After a cloudy half day it cleared but I got the flickering and half circle in the left of my eye. I was tolf the lens was in place and would improve. I only get the half circle of light in left when I walk past a lamp post at night or any bright light and that side of my eye picks it up. Other wise I have slight shadow over left of eye...not a floater. I can only discribe it as what looks like a piece of fibre stuck to my eye that I cannot clear. My opticion says its some of the disturbed gel from the back of my eye that has stuck to the front /left of the new lens? I went to the hospital a few months ago and they gave me 30 shots of laser but it has made no difference. They have now discharged me. Its still there but as it was a lazy eye all of my life it may not get much better and more laser could do more harm than good. The opticion told me the lazy eye was a cateract I was born with? I have now been away on holiday for few weeks and although it is still there i seem to be getting used to it?. Sometimes I forget about it and only notice the lights at night. You may find yours gradually improve without you realising. Good luck.

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