Shimmering light after laser, how do I cope?
Posted , 27 users are following.
Hello everyone. In need of a support group. Some people have good coping skills, however I do not. And I really need to talk to people who can relate right now.
Almost 5 weeks ago I had laser barrage on the bottom of my retina (4-6 o'clock position.) I was told my lattice area was very thin and there was fluid pulling on the holes and it was best to laser it down. I was having an increase in dark floaters which is what brought me in. I was referred to a retina specialist and he wanted to do laser that day. I wish I would have thought about it more. I did feel like I was in danger at the time and that it wasn't optional to not do it. I was crying and shaking and I felt if it was optional they would have told me since I was so upset.
I asked if this would affect my vision and he said no. I asked him so many questions and it was as if there could be no complications. He had me sign a waiver for macular degeneration and I knew I wouldn't be at risk since the macula was no where near where I needed laser.
The first 3 weeks I was so fixated on the fact my pupil was still dilated. I was so upset by it, but now I feel it's the least of my worries. I feel my pupil is getting better but it's still not 100% back to normal. I see small strides with my pupil, but the blurry up close vision is almost back to normal. It seems like my pupil is working over time to try and go back to its normal size and position and I have faith it will make it there since I continue to see improvement.
Then the 3rd-5th week I was getting flashing lights and shimmering in my peripheral vision. The shimmering is getting noticeably worse over time. The more light I am around through out the day, the more it acts up and comes into my vision. I notice it mostly when I look down on my phone, book, or just look down in general.
I've gone back 5 times since the laser on emergency visits and I am told everything is fine and sent home every single time. I don't believe at this point I am in any danger with my retina. But the side effects are destroying me.
I'm finally going for a second opinion this week. I just fear so badly that this flickering shimmering light is never going to subside. And it keeps getting worse. I can't believe this wasn't explained to me, and I have been reading about so many others going through the same thing. This just feels so wrong to me. I feel completely failed by the healthcare system.
I'm questing everything right now. I just want to know or to have someone see this post who has gone through what I'm going through and to tell me it will get better. Yoga is the only thing getting me through this difficult time and even then it's hard to remain positive.
Any coping skills would be greatly appreciated. And I really hope someone will tell me their situation has improved or give me some sort of hope. I really hope this isn't permanent.
0 likes, 38 replies
kristy_00359 jes2000
Posted
I think I'm going through the same thing you are. I had laser to repair a tear about a month ago. I was fine the first week. Then I started getting a flashes in the side of my vision. Almost like a light moving. Only in the side though nothing straight ahead in my vision. This goes on all day long and stops and starts up again. It driving me crazy. I honestly feel like I could have dealt with the flashes and extra floaters compared to this. This is pretty consistent through out the day for me. I went back and told the dr and he said he wasn't concerned. I'm so angry because It's worse then what I had before. Going for second opinion soon. I'm pretty sure we are talking about the same thing
jes2000 kristy_00359
Posted
Yes. I had the streak of flashes for a few days going from light to dark rooms. Then it turned into this consistent shimmering that gets worse the more light I am exposed to throughout the day. Please keep me posted on your second opinion. I reached out to someone on tapatalk who had laser done in the same position I did (between 4:30-7:30) and I'm waiting to hear back. But I noticed he commented on a post with an update and said that after 2.5 years he has no side affects of the laser any longer. He mentioned the shimmer/flicker got better over time but has completely deminished after 2.5 years.
It's very disheartening and I can't believe I wasn't warned of this. It's worse than what I had before as well.
peachy2694 kristy_00359
Posted
Hi Kristy, any updates on the shimmering? have things gotten better?
TiffanyNOLA jes2000
Posted
I had a retinal hole in area of lattice degeneration lasered on 8/29/17. Before the laser, I developed a floater and had very small streak of light in my peripheral vision in the left eye. After the laser I had a ridiculous amount of flashes, a couple of black blind spots, and small sparkles that come and go across my field of vision. I also have the static/shimmer on the entire half of my left eye closest to my nose in the periphery. It gets charged up in the light and is very noticeable when going from high light to dim light. It is constant. It does calm down when I lay in bed in the dark. I also have tiny little shimmer dots lights across my field of vision that come and go throughout the day. I've also developed the Blue Field Entopic phenomenon since having the laser done, and more floaters. It seems that instead of improving, I've developed more symptoms. I'm only 34 and the doctor said my Vitreous is more liquid than most (like that of an old person). How old are you all? I've seen on Tapatalk that some people have had the shimmer a long time while others have had long term improvement. I am honestly hoping to not have a retinal detachment because I believe this indicates retinal traction. Has anyone else noticed an increase in floaters and flashes since laser? I also was not made aware of all side effects. I have lattice in the other eye and am petrified of having 2 wild flashy eyes, it is hard to function at work like this.
mar15908 TiffanyNOLA
Posted
I appreciate your response. Thanks.
rose912910 jes2000
Posted
mar15908 jes2000
Posted
noah74495 jes2000
Posted
Hi Jes, I'm suffering from the exact same kind of shimmering light. Started 2 weeks after my laser was done, and it has been 4 weeks since the laser with no sign of diminishing. Would you say yours has decreased at all in the past 7 months? The doctors haven't found anything wrong with my eye and don't seem to take the shimmering seriously. I could really use any advice on how you have been coping with this. Thanks so much.
montu31583 noah74495
Posted
Hi Noah,
I have developed very similar symptoms post laser surgery for retinal detachment.
Seeing the wavy zigzag line(attached) in peripheral which feels like a light current. It is always there regardless of my eye is open or closed however, the rate of movement varies from time to time. It gets activated from outdoor to indoor and shimmering frequency is very high for some time and later it gets calmer. It is evident in indoor lights with or without light and less evident in outdoor/night time. Have you seen similar symptoms and has it improved/diminished over time? How have you developed coping mechanism?
peachy2694 noah74495
Posted
Hi noah74495, how is the shimmering now? have things improved?
mahafuza10673 jes2000
Posted
montu31583 mahafuza10673
Posted
Hi Majafuz,
I have developed very similar symptoms post laser surgery for retinal detachment.
Seeing the wavy zigzag line(attached) in peripheral which feels like a light current. It is always there regardless of my eye is open or closed however, the rate of movement varies from time to time. It gets activated from outdoor to indoor and shimmering frequency is very high for some time and later it gets calmer. It is evident in indoor lights with or without light and less evident in outdoor/night time. Has anyone seen similar symptoms and has it improved/diminished over time? How have you developed coping mechanism?
dana35538 jes2000
Posted
hi, i have the shimmering flickering light after laser tear surgery has yours gotten any better?
montu31583 jes2000
Posted
I have developed very similar symptoms post laser surgery for retinal detachment.
Seeing the wavy zigzag line(attached) in peripheral which feels like a light current. It is always there regardless of my eye is open or closed however, the rate of movement varies from time to time. It gets activated from outdoor to indoor and shimmering frequency is very high for some time and later it gets calmer. It is evident in indoor lights with or without light and less evident in outdoor/night time. Has anyone seen similar symptoms and has it improved/diminished over time? How have you developed coping mechanism?
dana35538 montu31583
Posted
hi, i have the same symptoms you have my surgery was in january for retinal tear the first 3 months trying to cope with it was really hard im almost a year out now and my brain has adjusted to it being there so it doesnt bother me that much anymore the brain does adjust to it it just takes timeim
so sorry you are going through this but know that the brain does adjust to it
montu31583 dana35538
Posted
Thanks @dana35538. I just passed that first 3 month phase and even though things may have improved slightly, I am having difficulty to cope up with. Could you share any tips on how you get used to it and not think about it?