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
R5V9G5 jes2000
Posted
Hello Guys
I hope you all are doing fine, I had undergone laser barrage a week ago and I am facing the same issues whenever I close my eyes and it usually last for 10 to 15 seconds. Even I feel the shimmering and flickering of lights whenever I move from bright background to a dark background. So can anyone tell me how long does it take to completely recover from these??
boston80166 R5V9G5
Posted
Hello, how are you doing after 8 months? Are you still experiencing the symptoms?
R5V9G5 boston80166
Posted
Yeah man, I am doing good. Its been 8 months. Initial days were really very tough. Trust me, time heals everything. If I look back I laugh at myself for being too much worried. Shimmering and Flashing hasn't gone completely but its not that bothersome now. I mean it had reduced to great extent, I can say reduced to 80-90%.
My request.....
Don't get anxious, it'll only waste your time, just leave as it is and relax...
boston80166 jes2000
Edited
Hello everyone! How are you? Hope you are doing well in these hard times. I'm also experiencing the same symptoms. Does it get better over time? For those who have gone consultations regarding these symptoms, what advice did the doctors give? I'm so glad to have read all your comments because at first I thought I was just being paranoid. This was not also disclosed to me upon consultation and I was a really disappointed because its not easy to go through the day and always worrying about the light shimmers and wavy shadows. Hoping someone would reply and give an update on how they are doing, it would really help with the constant anxiety 😔 Thank you and keep safe everyone 😊
R5V9G5 boston80166
Posted
Don't worry bro,,,
Almost everyone here have gotten better. People move on. So you can see none has posted about his/her recovery...
Best of Luck....
Take care of your mental health. Don't worry too much..
felicitygrace jes2000
Edited
Hello
so i have gone for barrage lazer on 4th july 22.
A brief history, on 2016 it came to my knowledge that i am having a cystic degeneration on my right eye, -8D.
so i was advised by my ophthalmologist to be on a regular follow up every 6-8 months. ( He is a senior Vitero retina surgeon, and he told me about future complications that i might develop lattice, or hole. so if that happens they could seal it )
Recently I got barrage done for my lattice. (superiorly)
But after 2 weeks i am facing some kind of light flickering at my lower periphery, n 3-4 times a day i feel some kind of light rolling, of course that freaks me out too.
After
that i was feeling ver depressed, sad and anxious, so i thought of calling a another doctor and explaining all my symptoms, he told me n explained me , also he told me the doctor who did my lazer is a very good and a well known vitero retinal surgeon in India. i also gave a called to one of my senior, who is in aiims . he told me nothing to worry, also he explained my that it will take time to heal n because i got my lazer done superiorly, i am getting those lights opposite to that. I Am 80% relived now . i trust god. n i will be visiting again in Sept.
hajar15 jes2000
Posted
Hi Jes2000
I had my retinal repair surgery for my lattice back in 2016 and this shimmering and flickering of light has been there since. sometimes I get a few months of relief maybe my brain masks the visual effects. Or maybe the shimmering does go away I can't really tell. Other months it's really really tough where I get constant shimmering and flashes. Every single post described my symptoms so accurately. I never knew that there are others who's going through the same thing!! I am miserable and don't know what to do. I have been going to my annual appointments to check my retina and each time my doctor dismisses the issue and tells me nothing is wrong!
Its 2023 and the shimmering and flashes never went away!
If anyone here gets any explanation about this please post. Any eye drops that can help with this?