Posted , 10 users are following.
I've recently had cataract surgery in both eyes. There is a shadow effect at the sides of both eyes almost like having blinders on. It gets a little claustrophobic feeling. It is not in all lighting only some lighting or angles of light. It is kind of annoying. Will it go away in time?
0 likes, 11 replies
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Guest richard47612
Posted
Hi
What you see is the edge of the iols, i have the same thing both eyes, and my surgeon had warned me, that I would probably have this. He said it will not go away, but with time you will not see it any more, you get used to it and brain ignores it.
I can see it if I look for it, but I really don´t think about it any longer.
richard47612 Guest
Posted
Thank you. How long does it take until you don't see it anymore?
Guest richard47612
Posted
I think it depends a lot.
As with anything we need to get used to, there more we think about it, the longer it takes to get rid of it I guess 😃
It is only 9/4 weeks since I had my surgeries, and now that I am conscious about the shadows because we discuss it, I see it right now, but honestly, I did not think of it before that.
I believe when you look for it, you tell your brain you actually want to see it, in my opinion it is kind of a mind game like some of the other stuff we need to get used to, but that is just my personal opinion 😃
richard47612 Guest
Posted
Yes I think so. I definitely noticed that since talking about it I started seeing it more! OK so I will just get used to it. At least now I know.
Deb03 richard47612
Posted
Totally agree! The less you think about it, the sooner it will go away/you will neuroadapt. I didn't have shadows, but had IOL flickering and it's now barely noticeable and only under certain circumstances.
Salty0 richard47612
Posted
The reason for this effect is that the new lenses are smaller in size then your original lenses. Unbelievable I know but that's the way it is. When your eyes are dilated due to darken conditions your pupil goes beyond the new lenses and voila you have blinders. I had my surgery a year and a half ago and my brain doesn't ignore the effect yet. My doctor failed to mention any of the pitfalls of cataract surgery had I known what I was in for I would have chosen to keep my cataracts. Good luck with your recovery.
beryl68139 Salty0
Posted
I agree have had a lot of trouble with scar tissue and now got to wait for an appointment with eye hospital for operation to try to clear it. They have never seen anything like it.
soks richard47612
Posted
what you are experiencing is called negative dysphotopsia. it should hopefully resolve on its own. if you continue to experience it after few months see the doctor.
mjcg richard47612
Posted
My cataract surgery (one eye) was done in Feb 2019. I could see an 'edge' or shadow as you've described on the side as well. All these months later, I no longer see or think about it. So give yourself some more healing and adjustment time and all will likely settle.
mjcg richard47612
Posted
My cataract surgery (one eye) was done in Feb 2019. I could see an 'edge' or shadow as you've described on the side as well. All these months later, I no longer see or think about it. So give yourself some more healing and adjustment time and all will likely settle.
Nizza594 richard47612
Posted
I had my surgery just over 2 years ago now, and I was experiencing the exact same thing as you! I'd say it took about 4 to 6 months until i realised that I could no longer see the shadows. Nowadays even if i try to think about them I still can't really see them at all.
I'd say it was probably around 6 months before my eyes felt 'normal' again, so even though its easier said than done, just try to be patient... and remember that the only people who talk online about this stuff are the minority of bad or negative experiences, and there are countless sucessful cases that of course don't bother with these forums. I used to be on here every day during my recovery because I was so anxious, but of course when things got better I stopped coming on here! I occasionally just look now to see if i can help somebody else! But it's just worth bearing in mind that it's not the best place to get reassurance!
Good Luck!
Neil