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Starburst around all lights at night after cataract surgery

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4carrie
4carrie

I am a 35 year old female who has a family history of cataracts on both sides of family at a young age. I had cataract surgery in June and July of 2015 on both eyes and had a monofocal lens implanted in both eyes. I never really had the feeling that my vision was better after either of these surgeries. The doctor continued to dismiss my concerns and suggested the laser YAG surgery for my left eye. I delayed this because I as so unhappy and was driving with halos at night after the surgeries. In April of 2016, I moved forward with the YAG surgery hoping this as the answer but this made everything worse. I can no longer drive at night due to starburst and and am left struggling to get home before the sun goes down every night from worksad I have been to four other eye doctors in my area and all of their diagnosis disagree. The last Doctor I saw today sent me for a $200 hard contact trial to rule out it being the astigmatism causing the problem but sadly I can't afford this. She also discuss eye drops to constrict my pupil but these all have their own risk. She will not let me move forward without the contact trial first which I have told her that contacts had never work well with me in the past due my constant allergies. So I am left fighting like so many other for answers that seems no likely to come with out divine intervention. So I pray every night for me and so many others out there like me for answers.

1 like, 202 replies

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  • wor7
    wor7 4carrie

    Posted

    Hi 4carrie. I had cataract surgery about a year ago and had also monofocal lenses implanted in both eyes. A couple of months ago my Dr suggested performing YAG laser surgery because I was developing opacity in the posterior capsule of the eyes. He performed the YAG laser procedure in the right eye and since then I see starbursts around the lights.(only with that eye) It is very bad for driving or going out during the night. I usually stay home after it gets dark where i dim the  lights so they don't bother me. Starbursts turn as I move my head or eyes clockwise and then go back to their original position. During the day also when i raise my vision or look at bright things I have like a feeling of a bubble of light bursting in the eye. So far it has been two months and my dr. checked the eye and could not find anything wrong, he gave me a sample of drops that constrict my pupil but they are not helping much. I will let you know what progress or not I make. I am seeing my dr again in a few weeks. Good luck to you and I hope we can stay in touch.

    • 4carrie
      4carrie wor7

      Posted

      Hi wor7

      I am still struggling with driving at night and have not continued to pursue a doctor's opinion. I have read several papers that suggest reasons for my problems but it would require a lens exchange with none of the alabama doctors have agreed to do😔

      How are things going with you?

  • Sandhya60
    Sandhya60 4carrie

    Posted

    me too, in fact, I had my cataract surgery at 29, 30 years of age, that was 27 years ago. I have always had haloing and starbursts, as well as now I ended up being monofocular and debilitating eye strain with computer work, and florescent lights no matter what combination of glasses. I am now early retired so of course that has eliminated the painful part, but the night vision part still YES!. I am going to be pursuing partial disability since its obvious the work thing doesnt work for me, now that I know I have no pain, and the driving thing is difficult at night. Any thoughts anyone?
    • 4carrie
      4carrie Sandhya60

      Posted

      Hi sandhya60.

      I am sorry to hear you are still struggling 27 years later. My biggest concern is functioning to get to and from work. My prayers will be with you.

  • priyakt
    priyakt 4carrie

    Posted

    Hi Carrie, I had cataract surgery at 28. For the first few months the haoles and glare was bad enough that I didn't drive at night, and it took about a year to feel like I could function 'normally' again. Being a visual artist probably contributed to my brain's inability to overlook the lenses. The good news is that it has gotten better, but its been two years now, I still see circles sometimes, and have found the best solution has been to try to adjust my expectations of 'normal'. (although I do sometimes wonder if it will go away, or wouldn't have found myself posting here)

    • 4carrie
      4carrie priyakt

      Posted

      Hello priyakt,

      I agree, maybe because I am a visual person this is why I have struggled too. I keep hoping that with time I will adapt to my new normal but the lights still bother me at night after 2 years. My pray is that I will wake up one day and it will be better. I hope you see continued improvement!

  • donald557
    donald557 4carrie

    Posted

    I too recently experienced the infliction of cataracts. My vision was correctable to 20/40. Have worn glasses since first grade, I'm 56 now. My right eye was done then the left. Now my vision has improved so much that I no longer wrar glasses except for fine print. The bifocals I had to wear were causing sores on both sides of nose from sunlight, especially in summer, which would bleed all the time causing concerns about skin cancer. The surgeries went well, wasn't even sedated. My right eye was clear till a thin film was removed now I have the slare effects imitating around lights at night. The left eye has the dark curved image in periphery vision. I too had concerns, first I found this site, then I found another site written by an eye doctor. I have mono lenses. Here is the link, read it, I did it releived my concerns

    Seems the mind will adjust over time if allowed.

    Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398316-adding-links-to-posts

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An donald557

      Posted

      Hi Donald since links are not allowed on this site perhaps describe what we can google to find comments for ourselves.

      Do you mind if I ask you what type of lenses you got? I am early 50's and facing cataract surgery very soon. I am going back and forth between Symfony and monofocals. there are days I want to change my mind about Symfony lenses and go with monofocals so as to have no halo and glare. Can't imagine seeing g those around every light just to have good near and distance vision. You'd think that would be the better compromise to make than losing near or far vision. For me don't think my eyes can tolerate monovision where one eye set for distance and other eye set for near with standard monofocal lens.

      Thanks for your feedback.

    • veepee
      veepee Sue.An

      Posted

      I was trying so hard to find this forum again. Could not get back to it by searching.

      Sue.An can you clarify something for me please? Isn't Symfony a brand? You're on the another forum too right? I was trying to search for you

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An veepee

      Posted

      Yes I am following a few discussion threads. Technis Symfony IOLs are an extended depth of focus lens (classified differently than multifocal lenses). Supposedly with less halos and glare than a multifocal lens more contrast sensitivity. From what I have read they provide good distance and intermediate vision. Near vision is t as good as a multifocal and you may need glasses for fine print. I was looking at these as I would not mind glasses for fine print and thought they would have less halos and glare. If they have some but aren't bothersome (so that I could drive) for me would be worth the expense.

    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      I had experimented by looking at various lights at night.I think some halos have mild type.With cataract they were very large.If you are adaptable, glass half full sort you should be delighted.I think the surgeon matters.One who is skilled and invested in getting it as good as possible.There are variables..
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      I have night vision issues with cataracts. Lights can blind me - especially the newer LED headlights. And rain - that makes everything glare more. Hoping I can adapt and will be able to drive at night. I spoke to someone here who has had Symfony lenses since last Dec. She said at first the halos were an issue but they settled down in 5 weeks time. Still there but much milder and she does drive at night with less issues than when she had cataracts.

      I have same surgeon as she had. I live in a smaller province/city so limited with selection. I am not sure with Medicare I can have this done for free if I go to a bigger province like Ontario. Then there is added e lenses of travel and hotel stays. Where I am Medicare will cover cost of cataract surgery and take $300 off premium lens (cost of monofocal). We don't pay the out of pocket expense to surgeon. That is paid to hospital. My surgeon doesn't get any additional $ for lens I choose.

    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      see if you can budget symfony.Extra here in usa..I love full range of vision .Did not want a few feet of clear and then blur..keep nicely mentioning to surgeon how hard it must be to get calculations right.I got measured many times since i kept saying how tricky it must be to get it perfect.ie 20/20 ..more i read especially softwears posts the more i understood how it works..

      dentist is worse than the eye surgery by the way..

    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      try to do one eye with time for it to settle before second eye.Surgeons want to see final result based on tneir calculations to plan second eye..i asked for my medical records and was awed by the complexity of calculations, scans, keratometry readings etc..not easy for dr to calculate..so if not quite perfect can change second eye to make up for it..very complicated business..Go on youtube and watch surgery with symfony..

      .

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      Not sure if doctors here would give you your patient file. Being a lay person not sure what numbers would mean anyways. I am worrying enough - YouTube would likely bring on more anxiety. Looking at my bottle of Ativan. Not sure that will keep me calm or not.
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      When I finally settled on the Symfony lenses their office had me sit in from if a different machine for the calculations. I have a call into their office will ask if they need to do any more before Monday.
    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      save the ativan for serious stuff.. this was an adventure tho really concerned prior retina surgery might spoil it all...seems if earlier surgery affected the capsule no symfony..but all was ok..

      I find immersing myself helps relieve anxiety.Takes no more than 15 minutes at most..I had laser as had issues with that eye and wanted easiest method....they tell you to watch light, ..at one point red light disappeared but he hushed me so no movement.I wanted to say red light was gone..When you stare at lights it helps him center the lens just right..

      here in usa you have right to all medical records so sent for them.I researched what i wanted and needed to know details of retina surgery to help me choose..Dr wants patient to describe how he wants to see..symfony for those who would accept reading glasses for small print if needed.,

      on another list some women hysterical people sometimes see a reflection of lens in eye.Want money back..strange how they think anyone looks at fifty odd year old woman enough to notice reflection in certain light.

      anyhow surgery was over so fast and much better than dentist...and had no discomfort, lots of eye drops and looked fine next morning..no bruising or anything..

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      Too funny. Seeing the lens in the mirror is least of my worries. And if anyone is staring that long they'd end up with a black eye.

      Yes keeping busy helps. Having a teenager who is busy helps more. I feel like a taxi service these days.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      And not sure I will save the Ativan - likely need it. I heard in USA they usually sedate by IV vs Ativan?
    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      i could drive right away but waited a day as seditive wearing off from surgery was making me jittery.Will not have it next eye ..driving was a pleasure..all controls sharp and clear,,,road signs easy to read ..i kept comparing eyes which dr said not to do..let them merge he said but i like comparing..

      can you see those fifty plus women thinking tne whole world is looking into their eyes? my bikini days have long gone ....like that movie with the old hag movie star  " i am ready for my close up" they were upset when someone said people on tnese lists who can barely see and they are complaining.,take half an ativan each day on tne weekend..

    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      i am not a person to panic so had no plan to grab drs hand or jump off table..you are not suppose to talk as dr wants no movement.,Think the sedation keeps you still..kind of a shock when dr says All done went well...very fast..you get something to drink and when blood pressure ok you can go home..have to not sleep on stomach or side with eye and they give you thing to cover eye at night..no way would i sleep on it!
    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      Think it was Eleanor Roosevelt that said You wouldn't worry so much about what people thought of you if you realized they seldom do. My thoughts on those 50+ year olds.

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      Ok so sleepless night first night. Is it a soft patch or hard plastic shield they put on operated eye? I had someone here say you had to sleep on your back for a few nights.
    • Bravogoldenk9
      Bravogoldenk9 Sue.An

      Posted

      i did not use it as i sleep on my side or back..i was just so thrilled it was over .it is a light transparent thingi went to kitchen at 4 am to get coffee to have with my ipad which i could read making print bigger.....i saw a faint spider web on the shiney faucet that night but never again..stuff was so sharp..better than it was with cataract..i had an early dr appt in city and neighbor was driving me..as i said she is one fast determined driver..I realized i saw well enough to have driven myself...i showered with the hand held part so would not get face wet..

      you will feel bad you wasted so much angst once  surgery over..after 15 minutes said he was done..like is that all there is?

      really want to read of your experience monday... might have letdown you used up all your ativan!!

    • veepee
      veepee Sue.An

      Posted

      Hi Sue.An, today I saw the cornea specialist.  Guess what my vision is 20:50.  So am back to worse than square one pre cataract surgery.  He gave me a prescription for new glasses (bifocals) as I've been wearing my old glasses when am on the computer.  (Have plenty of new readers scattered around the house). I go back to see him after 6 weeks.

      If the glasses don't correct the problem (and I don't see how it will, but then am not an eye specialist) then we will discuss changing the lenses.  

      As others have said, replacing the right eye lens will be risky because of YAG having been performed and he said not to get YAG done on the left eye if I am considering replacing.  I was not going to have YAG done anyway because it did not help at all but worsened an already bad situ as you know.

      I will keep reading posts on here.  Read one totally success story - yay.

      And the very best of luck to you

       

    • Sue.An
      Sue.An veepee

      Posted

      Hi - so nice to hear from you. Feel as though we're friends even though we've never met.

      Hopefully cornea specialist in 6 weeks can offer some viable solutions for you. Did he say what went wrong? Is the wrong power been placed in that eye that causes your vision to be 20/50?

      Yes glad to hear about a success story. I am so close to surgery now. Not sleeping well. Just got back from my daughter's soccer game. For 2 hours I didn't think about my eyes. Even when I had to ask which players were on or off. Sure hoping next week's game I will be able to see the jersey numbers!

      There hasn't been a day go by I don't think about my eyesight. We all likely have that in common on this sight.

    • donald557
      donald557 Bravogoldenk9

      Posted

      I too was anxious before the first eye done. After the first eye was done was looking forward to the second eye being done due to being able to see again without glasses. I opted to not be sedated, one of the nurses held my hand so I focused on that. Eye surgeries have been going on for decades and true it is easier than going to dentist.
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