Starburst around all lights at night after cataract surgery

Thanks for posting. I am about to have my first eye implanted with a Symfony lens on Monday. Hope my outcome is as good as yours. I am extremely nervous about this - so maybe that makes me high strung - don't know - lol. I certainly can't e ow t any lens to be as perfect as the natural one I was born with. Just unfortunate my natural one didn't last as long as I expected.

Did you experience any night vision issues? That's I think the compromise I will have to make. But would prefer good daytime vision.

just slight furry look around lights at night.I watched many you tube surgeries so knew mine was going well..i didnothave a normal eye to begin with.Warned if issues could not have symfony lens.But all went well..

 I have a hard time with those complaining when such great panoramic eyesight ..will write later...also did not need sedation..painless and after effects made me jittery

Really appreciate your feedback - refreshing to hear from someone who is satisfied with Symfony lenses. At 53 I still have very good near vision - even with cataracts. So am really hopeful I will see intermediate and distance well. If I only need readers for fine print would be very happy about that. I am a mom of a 15 year old and we are an active family. I just think losing depth perception by doing a monovision or needing glasses for anything 4 feet in would be a bigger compromise for me (at least that is my rationale today (pre surgery).

by high strung i mean people who " cannot live with color" of room or small things that affect them as though major crisis..i was nearsighted so had great close vision.i knew i could lose it..However reading newspapers etc on ipad perfect.outdoors can read small print.In kitchen i often need to walk over to windows to read directions etc.. not a problem..i bought +1 drugstore reading glasses but have yet to use them..just in case in my bag..outdoors i am awed by the panoramic 3D quality..never saw as well before.Surgeon pleased.I think there is always a worry on their part they goofed..Read that patient selection is vital for multifocal..laid back people best not tense demanding types..so i see mild halos.I also see the sharpest detail in the distance.The symfony seems to offer better vision that multi..smooth transition with gradually less focus from about 17 inches to eyes..enough focus to read most print in stores etc but ti y letters need light..i find now i get best focus when moving print away.Nearsignted was a lifetime of bringing cloer.

please let us know how your operation goes..you should be able to handle an ipad by evening....do not do as i did going out at night to see if halos..saw furry lights which would not affect my driving.. nearsighted with cataracts made driving stressful before.

Hard to imagine what life will be next week. I too am nearsighted. Wore glasses for distance since early teens. Still have good near vision to this day. iPad and iPhone - no problem reading without glasses. Seemed to be a drastic change all at once to not be able to see near - played into my decision for sure.

Your comments lead me to think colours will be different after surgery? or just brighter?

Have now plans to do much first few days. Have the week off from work. How many days after surgery could you drive?

i could have drivennext morning to dr for check.Had friend drive me..i like how i drive better!!

color was amazing..first night turned on stove burners and saw the most beautiful blue purple flame..same with garden..All blue things rich in color..my other eye has lesser cataract and color has a yellow hue compared to symfony.I have time to decide on other eye.Think i read well enough not to have it tweaked for closer focus thus leaving a bit of nearsightedness.Have a strong reaction against myopia these days..we are all different but my near vision is acceptable i will say good light matters but ipads take care of that..Bright enough.Interesting how i once read with ipad propped on my chest.Now use knees as i lie on bed..more normal reading distance

when i read messages on iphone i have to remember i am no longer myopic.I hold it further away for clarity.Try to involve dr with your concern on measuring..keep him on his toes!think symfony agame changer since i doubt multifocal could be better as it has 

dips in focus ..on youtube saw woman you had combo of symfony with multi focal..said clarity and color better with symfony.. multifocal gave a bit better close up..both eyes together worked well

Wish I could. Our specialists are very busy. Had a hard time getting 2nd appointment with him. In Canada things work differently . It is not private vs public. All served by same doctors where I live. They are paid same regardless of lens I choose. Added cost of lens paid to Health Canada via hospital. I would rather see a busy doc do this surgery than one who isn't. They have no time to answer everyone's questions. Even for my 2 appointments I waited 2 hours beyond my appointment time.

I know that it is different in USA. But upside of living in Canada surgery is completely covered by Medicare. Lenses being purchased centrally means they cost less. A $300 discount is also applied to premium lens for which gov't would pay anyways if I went for monofocal lenses covered under Medicare.

From reading here everywhere is different. UK if you want premium lenses you have to see a private doctor and surgery won't be covered. Have to get monofocals through their national health centre if you want surgery covered (at least that is my understanding of it).

So our Canadian opthamologists are too busy for long appointments at least here where I live. Perhaps if I lived in a larger city it would be different.

So I will just have to either decide on monofocals or hope for best outcome with Symfony. If it works I do think I will be happier with outcome than monofocals.

Good to hear you have had a success. I posted about my problems with symfony on here a while back. I can't find any independent analysis of how people get on with lens replacement surgery. The only figures are the ones from the manufacturers.

i am married to a dr as is my sister in law..Basically can learn all we need from internet..Far better explanations. my surgeon was impressed with my knowledge.Someone named softwear developer offers really intelligent info..Far more obsessive in details then any info from the surgeon....he is an expert on symfony ( in his eyes)and i love his single minded exhaustive research..these surgeons probably do not have the lens in tneir eyes.On youtube is dr.shannon wong a eye surgeon who got lens in his eye..A bit hyper but worth watching his videos..

This type if surgery is the most common.Results may  vary depending on lots of factors,Measurements are complex and have improved so much lately with all the scans..no longer is it a surgery to rid eye of cataract but also a way to aim for tho not always get perfect eyesight..No lens can replace our original lens .

Surgeons want as perfect result as possible.In their toolbox are things like laser to tweak things..i read if a toric lens is a bit off in placement vision can be off..Also during surgery cornea can get temporarily damaged.Seems to take time for things to settle.Dry eye can also throw off results.

The clinical trials were done with the best of surgeons using tne lens and recording results as objectively as possible.There were some issues but on the whole really good vision.I read all the i terviews with tne trial surgeons.

you may need more time or tweaking of some sort.Hope you have a surgeon with lots of experience.

Thank you. Yes done lots of reading. However I freely admit I don't understand a lot of the technical jargon. Cataracts developed fast for me. Diagnosis in Jan and surgery happening this month. Wish I had little more time to answer my experiment with mini monovision - seems that would be safest bet vs Symfony. However for those where a Symfony has gone well are very pleased with the vision they have. I believe you are correct about surgeon being key. just hoping mine is despite the fact he has no time for discussions with patients. He operates 2 days a week and does consults 3 days a week. Took 3 months from time if referral to see him and when I want 2nd consult that took over a month and delayed my surgery a month. With 20/79 vision in one eye and 20/60 in other I am not sure I should wait. Although my cataracts tend to bother my distance vision vs close-up.

One thing I have stumbled upon is menopause exvelerating cataracts for women and as I am in early 50's that could very likely been the case for me. Had I have known maybe I would have considered HRT but then I might be dealing with other complications. Also deal with atopic eczema which has never been worse this past winter (another condition that worsens during menopause. My eye surgeon actually remarked when he noticed my eczema that there is a correlation between eczema and cataracts. Not that one causes the other but it is an indication of how my skin reacts - including eyes.

wow..i was in clinical trial for dupixent.

if any chance try to do one eye first and see results so other eye can complement it if needed.We get nothing free here.Lens and laser thousands of dollars extra..but i have pinned surgeon down with my 'lists of questions".. no one escapes my now educated questions that easily...

cataract surgeons do thousands of surgeries.Any reviews of yours?

yes thankful I live in Canada. Cataract surgery is paid for (out of pocket for Symfony lenses will be $900 per eye) which is a drop in bucket compared to USA. But our docs get same amount of $ from our system regardless of lens selected.

My surgeon does have a very good reputation here. Been doing cataract surgery as well as lasik for many years. The few people I have had the opportunity here to chat with in person (through work colleagues etc) coincidentally had his office do their surgeries and they are happy with results (one of which had Symfony lenses both eyes and was one of the first to get these when they became approved here). She is now 7 months out and still happy with the Symfony lenses. Also chatted with 2 others who had monofocals done 6 and 3 years ago respectively. And they too are happy - although one said last Sunday he had 1 eye done 3 years ago and didn't know you had a choice for near and far correction. He would opt for that in a heartbeat vs what he has. He's an rcmp officer and finds switching glasses all the time a pain. That being said I don't live in a big province where I would obviously have more selection of doctors so cannot compare.

I am hoping for a good outcome. And yes having one eye done st a time. In Canada you cannot have cataract surgery on both eyes same time. Wait time between the 2 varies between provinces. I know some there is a month wait. From initial consult I recall him saying a week however if my eye isn't doing as well I will likely hold off. Having my left eye done first as vision is more affected by cataract in that eye.

I envy all your knowledge in this and that you have access to surgeons who will spend the time going over all the details.

For me just not sure I will ever get to that place with our options where I live. Perhaps Toronto might have a private clinic - not sure just know that in June 2012 our government took the premium lenses out of our doctors hands so that one couldn't charge more than another and you now purchase through hospital. They benefit from a bulk buying and that too is savings passed to patients.

look up dupixent and see if in canada

you have 3 days to go..really excited to hear from you late monday.

I am noticing my near vision is getting very good.Wondering if by chance it got set closer than expected.It can happen even with the best of measurements.Not complaining at all just aware  near vision far better than i expected.Rest of vision so sharp i would not miss reading one less line on eye chart..this is a very complex business  calculating cornea, lens  inside and outside of cornea..when i sent for my record got pages of complex numbers and predictions..Formulas for getting the best match with eye and lens.

Thanks for that bit of info . Canada's Health Agency is looking into this breakthrough drug so will have to keep a watch for it and mention to my dermatologist next visit.

I have tried steroid creams, prednisone (temporary) and had to take a strong antibiotic twice this winter to treat a staf infection Ingot on my hand due to eczema. No relief at all. Even capitulated to homeopathy/natural path remedies (no offence to those that believe) but no relief from that route either. Given those are not covered by Medicare all I got out of that treatment was a big bill. I stopped short of their suggestion of going gluten free! Like my carbs too much! My personal belief for me is that it is Canadian winters. I stopped all creams and homeopathic treatment about 2 months ago and done nothing but worry and try and research IOLs and cataract surgery. And now it's July our weather is now 80 and all my skin cleared up. And they say stress makes atopic eczema worse! Not in my case. Wish I could move south - that'd be a remedy I am willing to try!🙂

Just to add re Dupixent side affects. This could inflammation to eye and eye lid. Wonder how that would play out after cataract surgery. Still like the thought of moving south better. Once I retire I will definitely be a Canadian snowbird.

been on dupixent for 3 years..overblown side effects as eczema can also affect skin around eyes...very safe amongst biologics.I think it made my surgery heal very fast both retina and cataract..once your eye is done you can explore that!

price is off the wall so wondered if canada would cover it....Not a discussion for here but a real relief from years of misery...amazing...

Yes misery is exactly the word I'd use. Only those that suffer can relate to how awful it is with no cure. There is likely another forum on this site I should join.

Good to know that drug works for you and no affect on your new IOLs. Will be hoping it comes to Canada. I do have health insurance with employer so perhaps if our Medicare covers a portion then test can be claimed there. Funny how our 2 countries decide on which drugs to approve. I purchase an over the counter medication in USA for sea sickness when I go on cruises that is banned here in canada(works like a charm for me). The patch which is approved for sea sickness here in Canada and I can buy off the shelf - needs a prescription in USA.

I believe the Symfony lenses were approved here before USA.

Anyways appreciate the info - sure hope dupixent is available soon here. I'd lost hope in a cure.

Hi Sue,

Best of luck for next week, personally I think your choice of the Symfony to be a good one - I've heard positive responses about this lens.

As you know I got my second eye done yesterday - too soon to know how well it'll turn out.

I note you were concerned about mono vision. I tried this with contact lenses and got on very well with them, also tried multifocal lenses for about 4 weeks and couldn't read at all with them, I consulted another contact lens optician last week and after a comprehensive eye test he said he wasn't surprised I didn't get on with the multifocals as my pupils were too small for that type of lens - this made up my mind to get a mini monovision option for the left eye.

Only advice I could give at this stage is to wait before you get the 2nd eye done until the first has stabilised - I talk from experience on this lol

Thanks so much James. Very apprehensive. Start the regiment of eye drops Saturday.

Guess the real hard part is answers aren't instantaneous- it's a wait and see even after surgery. Even if I see well right away still not sure want to get 2nd eye done right away although hard to say how vision will be with one uniperated eye. Guess I will poke a lens out of my glasses. Did find the original lenses to my seringhetti sunglasses that had prescription lenses in. Thinking I will put one lens out and replace with original nonprescription lenses I found for those frames. I bet I will be wearing sunglasses for some time to come inside and outside.

Hope all is well with 2nd eye and you gave the drops to put in. Does the monovision work well to read and is the other set for distance get tired when you drive?

I will update everyone next week - hopefully with positive news.

probably vision in new eye will be so clear, crisp and sharp it will take over and you can toss the glasses..I have one eye to go but could manage as i am vision is so clear...eye drops keep down inflammation  infection  just in case....each dr has his own schedule..got a chart to fill in and show how to taper...i am really curious and hope you post late monday..remember most people do great..

Thanks very much for your thoughts. I do have a schedule for my bottles of drops (2 types) starting 2 days before surgery and tapering off weeks after surgery. Can use Systane or Refresh drops as I want.

I am also taking Flaxseed oil capsules. Read they are great for dry eye.

Hi Sue,

You may find you can't wear your spectacles with one lens out, depending on the power correction of your non-operated eye.

Pre-operation my eyes were -6.5 and -7.0 when I tried removing a lens from my specs I got horrendous double vision. Apparently anything above a -2 diopter difference will lead to double vision 

Hi James, ok before I say anything further I will admit I did not know the power of the lenses i was wearing.  Saying that, I had no choice but to remove the right lens on my specs and replace with a plain glass until the left eye was done.  Would not have been able to see at all had I not done this.

I was not aware of that. What do people do then to function?

probably new eye 20/20 ish so it takes over pretty much..brain adapts

Hello Sue,

Flaxseed also strengthens immune system and a number of other aspects for being healthy.

Yes was initially given flaxseed oil by natural path I was seeing along with various other remedies and vitamins. True to my nature looked them all up in Internet to see what they were for. That's where I read flaxseed good for dry eye. So been taking that for 2 months now.

sue this time tomorrow i am looking forward to reading your post on your eye.

Also have added fresh blueberries ,free range eggs, fish oil..great for retina as well

Hi Sue, I had to use a contact lens in my left eye it was the only way I could see with both eyes. There was still a little double vision even with the contact  lens but acceptable in the short term.

I know you're going for your first eye tomorrow - all the best for a successful outcome. The actual surgery is a breeze , I know you can't help being nervous. Here in the U.K. they do a number of cataracts in the same day and  it can be a long wait until your turn, I kept my mind off it by chatting to the other 'victims' 

Hi veepee, you must've been lucky I had to wear a contact lens, I did try taking out a lens from my glasses but it was horrendous, then again we are all different 😍

I've been using Omega 3 capsules for the last three months to try to prevent dry eyes, I got a test at the optician and they said I did have dry eye in the periphery but was ok over the pupil area.

Thanks for that! Be believer in we are what we eat (and believe).

Will hopefully be posting an update tomorrow.

Thanks James. Sounds like the process here in Canada. We all check in at hospital in the morning and it's like an assembly line. Preferably don't want to be first in line or near the end of the day. Hoping my surgeon isn't partying late tonight - lol.

Did they provide a contact lens to you or did you have to go back to your optometrist? I guess my old glasses with right lens removed won't do?

I just reread the one pager hospital gave me last March when I went for initial eye mapping. Says I will be given date for next surgery if need d after surgery tomorrow. Hoping it isn't too soon as I want to know all is going well girst. But if it isn't possible to see well with just one eye fine may not want to wait. Thoughts on that? How soon after first eye done did you notice things going wrong and was it mainly due to them not providing drops antibiotic and steroid drops?

So very true james.  What is good for one is not for another.  I was looking into flaxseed oil and although it's good for high cholesterol, hbp and heart, if one is on a blood thinner even like baby aspirin, it should not be taken

you are worried about everything going wrong.Most surgeries go right.Also with one 20/20 eye you could be quite comfortable,Dr wants to see how close he came to perfect so as to plan other eye..After my surgery i could see clearly but cloudy..sharp lines around everything as never before..as day wore on cloudiness lifted and nice bright clear vision.The colors were vibrant as never before..By morning return to dr for check 20/25..Look forward to this rather than all you think will be bad...I was sorry i wasted so much worry

these forums tend to have people who had problems not tne millions with no problems...

Yes I tend to think of all the what ifs. Realize I am fighting my own personality in this and reminding myself all day these surgeries are very common and most go smoothly.

Hoping I can see clear right away but every patient different in way they heal and vision could be blurry for couple of days.

i am ready for your hopefully thrilled update.you cannot believe how great symfony lens is.3D  vibrant color..it will over power your other eye with clarity..my night lights have a little fur..no horrible starbursts.,what time is your surgery?when it is over you will see why the dentist worse..

when i looked at my paperwork i saw how many calculations go into getting tbe lens right...for your other eye dr will see your results as this eye settles to plan next one

I called hospital last Thurs to pay for my Symfony lens. The surgeon last April had me do another measuring with a machine they specifically use for premium lenses. So when I called the hospital's accounting dept to pay I asked if they saw a lot of people opting for these and she said they were seeing more and more and she said she opted for them herself and very pleased with her vision.

i lost about five lbs worry kept me from eating..You may find you are like most with great vision the next morning.People with severe myopia have a hard time when one eye is 20/20...But moderate myopia can be overcome by good eye.My old eye sees yellow colors while new eye pure wbite with great blues..I need my second cataract to be covered by insurance since costs a fortune..vision is around 20/30 and think 20/40 cut off pt.. must check at next appt....

once again waiting to hear of your saga!bet your family wil be relieved when mom goes back to being her normal self.. i really lost my appetite but its back

You are so right - family want me back to my old self (likely work too).

I will have both covered by Medicare (except additional cost for Symfony). Some at church this morning said they found it odd I have cataracts as they said my eyes look so clear. Must be that there are different types. I am 20/60 in eye being operated on and 30/50 in other. Glasses prescription is -3.25 in eye being operated on and -2,75 in other. 2 years ago optometrist gave me progressives with minor correction for reading to get used to them. Although I am not fond of them watching TV from bed- usually grab my old glasses for that. Will be interesting to see if I can see online TV guide. Cataracts prevent me from reading it without walking up to TV set

glasses  got stronger to compensate for what cataract did for focus..messes up light hitting retina..once cataract gone things better..

i think you will feel you wasted alot of angst..

i watch movies etc on big ipad..now i have to move it further away as focus so good...my symfony gives great close up with plenty of lightI read tiny print by window .however going from really tiny letters to infinity is wonderful.It is not the vision of a child as more lignt needed but pretty close tl prrfe t for me...

Hi Sue,

My eyesight was brilliant for the first three weeks before it started getting blurred, that was when it was discovered I had inflammation of the retina. It was a surprise for the surgeon also since I wasn't deemed high risk. 

I must say I had no problem seeing with one clear eye and one blurry, I went to my local optician and got a load of trial lenses to tide me over until my other eye was done.

Give the specs with one lens removed a try and if it doesn't work you can always try a contact lens option 

thinking of you.Hoping to read of your experience..and also hoping you will be thrilled with it ..Best of luck  for you and your family to have you back from your worry..

Appreciate it. Off to hospital soon. Thinking of Christopher Robin's words to Pooh bear 'you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you know.' (I am a huge Disney fan).

Thanks everyone for your prayers and well wishes.

Hi just wanted to updated you. Just had post op checkup with surgeon. Doing well. Day of surgery everything blurry out of operated eye. Slep most of day and through night. Stomach very upset with Ativan . Want able to keep down anything. Better today and I see very clear. Tested 20/20. Next eye to be done -Aug 21. Will be curious to see night vision. Will try tonight but so far feeling good about daytime vision

Fabulous

so happy you are enjoying the results...tho a little icky to think of what the surgeon was doing tne clarity and color must be worth it.Have you noticed blues have a special richness?

it does take time for eye to settle so do not go out in tne dark looking for halos..there may be some light furry ones..To hit 20/20 is excellent measuring by surgeon..

what i have noticed is things get better focus when held  a bit further than before..

Yes colours all have a different hue. Street is more grey whereas asphalt looked beown before. Sky is infinitely more blue - fantastic. I know it'll be several weeks for eyes to seller. Surgeon said reading will be easier once 2nd eye is done. I am amazed how seamless near to far is. Couldn't be happier with lenses. I hear your caution the night vision. Surgeon did warn me this could be a reality and may or may not disappear with time.

once this eye settles he and you can decide on second eye.Way to tweak it slightly to help near vision but you will decide over time what you want.I find i can read quite well with plenty of light ..trade off is ineed to go near kitchen window to read tiny print..but far better than before sothink will want second eye as perfect as possible..anyhow enjoy tne blue..gas flame is beautiful..i realize the porcelan in bathroom actually white not beige..

now your family has you back..i did feel odd as drugs wore off 

Yes not sure if I will have another visit with surgeon. He is off on vacation next few weeks. I do have some emergency numbers in case I experience anything out of normal. He doesn't seem to be a doc that explains much to patients. In the waiting room st hospital today it was mainly group I waited with to have cataract surgery with yesterday. Some had no idea a lens was being taken from a their eyes let alone a replacement one put in. They seemed shocked that with one eye done I could see near and far. I asked if they were given options and they didn't know they had any. Thinking back to

my first consult I do think it was me who asked about lenses and so conversation began. in some ways I wouldn't have struggled so much if I didn't know there were options. It given outcome of first eye this seems a lot better.

Went outside to look at streetlights. Don't see any cascading concentric circles. They are a bit fuzzy with small starbursts but don't think they would affect my driving. Couple of cars came up my street (led bright lights) found those blinding but found them blinding before with cataracts. My husband who doesn't have cataracts also finds them blinding. Did notice red taillights of cars fine except when they brake then starburst around those too.

So far nothing disturbing and it's early days - surgery yesterday.

Wonder if these are made better with 2 IOLs or would it be worse?

Also they make glasses for night driving - would these help?

Anyone with Symfony lenses - do you recall if thes got worse in first couple of weeks or tended to get better. So far with just one eye done wouldn't consider this bothersome.

Again only first day with new eye. All in all still very pleased with outcome.

With my symfony lenses, a lot of side effects e. g. ghosting, did fade with time, but the starbursts/halos/rings are the same now as they were on day 1. I hope things turn out well for you.

With my symfony lenses, a lot of side effects e. g. ghosting, did fade with time, but the starbursts/halos/rings are the same now as they were on day 1. I hope things turn out well for you.

Thanks OmegaMale. I do see I guess what you'd term starbursts around streetlights but I have to look directly at them. I don't see circles unless they become more prominent as time passes or when I have 2nd Symfony lens in(currently just have one in right eye). At post op yesterday my surgeon was pleased with my vision at 20/20 but he did caution that I could have night vision issues. Some fade over time but some he said would not due to optics of lens and it would be something I would have to adspt to. I don't think he is a firm believer in neuro adapting.

what visuals I saw last night (although who would t want perfect) eaten' bothersome. I don't do a lot of night driving. Uudually soccer matches winter coming home from work or local driving visiting family and friends. I made a spreadsheet to determine percentages of time I spent with activities and more is spent in daytimee or inside so I guess that helped me make my d idiom. Others do t mind putting on and off 3 different specs. We are all different so one solution doesn't fit all.

Sorry for typos. With one eye done not sure how to manage 2nd eye. Almost feel like getting a pirate patch till 23rd. Thought of getting a contact lens but doc suggested I don't or if I did to ensure I left it out min one week prior to surgery as it would change shape of my eye. I did not know that. Think pirate patch might be a good idea - lol

Do you have Symfony lenses in both your eyes?

only one eye done so far.Want to be sure cataract bad enough to be covered by insurance...not sure how it works but uncovered charges are off the wall.. my new eye is so bright it kind of takes over from the other eye.For driving i can see well...including controls to infinity..

here it would seem uncovered charges would be way  beyond $30 thousand..at least that was the bill with just about all but symfony and laser covered..I am one to adapt despite being a bit compulsive..I will speak to surgeon next month since i do not think a 2 cataract qualifies..I had used  mutifocal contact lens in bad eye as it was plus 3  cataract and very  nearsighted.after retina surgery and a band put around eye...

i think i lucked out to have superb surgeons as did you...

Yes think so too. I will be covered by insurance as cataracts in both eyes were bad enough to warrant. Premium lenses my expense at $900 per eye. Surgery covered. Do you think with just one eye done it negated most of the night vision issues others have experienced here! Particularly the concentric circles? Ie when 2nd eye done we will have more of these issues?

Lol  'I made a spreadsheet ' - I thought I was the only one who did that!!

 

Glad I am not alone - I think spreadsheets help in weighing pros and cons.

How is your eye healing?

i really looked over paperwork.See surgeon tweaked eye a little to get great close vision.I imagine second eye will aim for perfect and eyes will blend.Not worried about halos as brain seems to adapt after awhile..i have to think about halos to see them...I weigh otner eye being done but also cost if not covered.I think spacing surgery a good idea as it takes  brain etc to adapt..if you wanted better close vision he could tweak other eye slightly..i got all these  calculations and figured them out finally.,want to ask softwear developer if i figured it out correctly..seems computer feeds in all measurements and symfony has a program  calculating which strength lens gives which result..kind of fascinating to know what goes on..

please do not worry and enjoy your eye.I think we both had the most thorough of surgeons.

Yes I wondered about the additional eye measurements and calculations with surgeon's office that were required once I settled on Symfony lenses. All at a level beyond me (I am not too scientific) however selecting this surgeon was key for me. And I will wait till he is back from holidays. In 6 weeks time 1st eye will have healed and settled so will be ready for 2nd surgery. Will be curious how software developer responds to your questions. I will likely go with whatever my surgeon suggests. If I end up having to wear cheaters for close up - I will be ok with that. Already I am finding after 3 days the Symfony excels at intermediate distance. TV watching was very frustrating with cataracts. Couldn't even read online guide without walking over to tv. Watching it now with just one eye done is amazing. The clarity and sharpness is so good. Almost 3D.

I see no concentric circles at night at all. Lights slightly fuzzy that is it. Way better now than with cataracts. When I close operated eye I can see the size of halos is much larger with eye with cataracts.

Not sure why this lens produces for some those circles. Most say it is inherent in design of the lens. Maybe I will see those too once lens settles (hope not).

201a suggested if Symfony has worked well in this eye not to chance a Symfony in the other eye and to consider a monofocal for 2nd surgery. This will give me best chance of avoiding night vision issues.

Something to think about. My surgeon says having same lens in each eye is best.

Very promising that you aren't seeing the circles around lights at night that so many other Symfony patients have posted about.

I'm considering for myself (>2D astigmatism both eyes) a Tecnics toric monofocal IOL in my right eye (dominant) which has the worst cataract, set for good distance vision, followed by perhaps a Tecnics Symfony Toric IOL in my left eye (with only an early stage cataract) set for for very slight -0.50 to -0.75D target which might still get close to 20/20 distance but decent intermediate and some near vision too.

I'm hoping with the other eye set for good sharp distance vision and good contrast sensitivity with the Tecnis toric monofocal that any night vision artifacts (halos, circles, etc) from the Symfony in the left eye would be masked by the right eye.  This seems to work for me now where my cataract right eye has halos around lights at night, but not the good left eye, so vision with both eyes I don't see the halos, only if I cover my left eye...

I am very surprised that I do not see the concentric circles. Fully expected these due to the many comments posted by patients and surgeons saying they are due to design optics of the Symfony lens.

Obviously that is just not the case.

Makes me wonder why or if that is something I will see as these are early days (surgery on Monday July 10). I cannot compare with other eye as it hasn't been operated on yet but so far I find Symfony excels in that intermediate vision. My distance I find good too. Day after surgery tested at 20/20. Near vision is further out than what I was used to with cataract prior to surgery. I have to hold iPhone out a little bit further than before. I could correct that with 2nd eye or just leave as is and get cheaters for any real close up reading/work. Have 6 weeks to wait for 2nd surgery.

So far I am happy with results. Reality exceeded my expectations.

Wish I knew why for some the night time visual symptoms are worse than others. I am thinking it has more to do with surgeon skill and no underlying eye conditions. Just my 2 cents.

If you believe it may have to do with surgeon's skill, you should ask him about his other Symfony patients and if most of them don't see significant cirlcle and halos in night vision too - that would be interesting.

It could be that on these message boards we are mostly only see posts by Symfony patients that have the night vision issues, while there could be a lot that don't that just never post just because they have no reason to complain or ask about it?

I would say you are correct about your assumption Night-Hawk.  If folks have good results they do not need to do any research right?  The ones with the problems are a very small percentage compared to the successes and am so glad that Sue.An belongs to the latter category.

Symfony toric lens implants here but I had night vision problems right from the start.   Unfortunately did not think of doing any research because I thought my opthalmologist knew better than me and that he would in his own words " make a few adjustments" which were not done. 

He actually made a bad situation worse by performing YAG laser On my right eye which was done first)  which now makes it trickier to replace the lenses.  Was adviced by the cornea specialist am now seeing not to have YAG  on left eye - which I had no intention of doing anyway.

I wish I had got on to these forums or done research before the 2nd surgery.  No point in crying over spilt milk now.  Hoping the cornea specialist can help me

everyone differs and surgeons differ also.lens has to be centered i think.I saw the rings while wearing cheap sunglasses..the sun hit my eye and i could see a row of lens reflected on tne inside of the lens..

i think results tend to be good and surgeons do worry when unexpected  results happen and what to do..tweak eye with laser or even exchange lens..i also think personality of patient matters..it is mentioned in the professional  journals..some people want perfection which science cannot yet give.

it is good you have time to think about how you want to see.i do think my eye is tweaked slightly for close.So far i might want other eye not tweaked..i have accepted good light is needed for sharpest close reading.

Too true. I spoke to only one of his other Symfony patients who my surgeon operated on last Dec. it was a coincidence as this was a friend of a pensioner where I work that I was put into contact with as she was one of first patients here where I live to get the Symfony lens. In chatting with her I learned her surgeon is same as mine. She also just sees a little fuzz around lights but first few weeks she said halos were bigger and disturbing. She had both eyes done 3 days apart so maybe that had an impact. But after 5 weeks she said halos settled to where she just sees lights a little fuzzy (called them prism like).

Surgeons usually don't give you a list of their patients to contact so it is unlikely that I will be able to chat with a number of his Symfony recipients. I did chat with one other of his patients at my church who had her surgery done by him but she got a monofocal lens. Her first surgery was 7 years ago and my surgeon didn't discuss any lens options. Perhaps he thought it best to match what she had. He did do a mini monovision as she could read without glasses. She had no idea there were lens options or that she had mini monovision.

Perhaps it is sheer luck that I got a good result- have no proof one way or another. I did check out ratings and patient satisfaction of my surgeon and that was all good. I do not live in a big city so I do not have a big selection of opthamologists. One of the questions I asked him was there anything in my tests that would indicate I was a higher risk and not suitable for a premium lens. Response was no. So I decided risk was acceptable.

Something really cool I experienced during surgery - I could see the rings of the Symfony lens when it was just unfolding in my eye before being centred. I asked the surgeon if that was the lens I was seeing and he said yes.

Lol,

left eye is doing well, I can see my phone at just less than arms length and distance is also good.

Right eye is finding new ways to annoy me - I'm now seeing 'ghost' images around objects in bright sunshine. Maybe I'm just bored and need to get back to work!

Wish I could be off another week. Have to go into work tomorrow. I find my eyes tired and need to close them for awhile in my he afternoon and evening. With one eye done - puts a strain on both. Still healing well. Wearing sunglasses a lot - everything is so bright.

Take as much time as you need. I have 2 weeks to go to vacation (2 weeks) and then back to work for 1 week before 2nd eye operation.

I've taken your advice and asked my GP for another week off work lol

I was out late tonight and noticed that I have no starbursts or halos with my left eye but still have starbursts with my right eye which was the first done on the 10th May, who can figure!

Wish I had taken a 2nd week. Very hard to cope with one eye done. Eyes very tired. Got 2 weeks off starting July 31 then another week to go to 2nd surgery.

Is t it odd how one eye is good regarding halos and glare and other is not. Really can't figure it out. I still am concerned for 2nd surgery and hoping it goes as well and minimal night issues. I wish there was some sort of test or machine we could all

Look through to determine best lens option.

Relax during your week off. I do

Believe it is a longer recovery than what most tell us.

With halos&starbursts only in one eye, how is your night vision with both eyes open?  Does your brain ignore the starbursts if you have one eye without them, such that you only see them with only the right eye open?

What a difference a week makes in recovery . Wish I had taken this 2nd week off. Feeling much better end of this week vs last. So glad one day to go at work to weekend. Been a struggle. I find viewing images not so bad (watching soccer - ie football where you live). Absolutely enjoyed watching my daughter's team play under the floodlights. Wondered how that would go. It I was t bothered or distracted from the match. Walking is good too. It's trying to read that's the hard part. All will be better there once 2nd eye is done. All my life been nearsighted so now find reading distance further out. So odd to push out phone or tablet. I used to need these about 8 inches away. Now more comfortable at 16-18 inches out.

How are you doing?

Hi James - wondering how you are doing now that some time has gone by.  Hoping your vision has improved and all is well.