Symfony lens halos

I went to 2 doctors and notified Johnson & Johnson of my problems with the lens. I also went back to the surgeon. No one recommended replacing the lens I was given drops to reduce the dilation but that stuff is painful to the eyes so I only used once and it did no good. I was told the glare and halos would decrease but that hasn't happened ... yet. A gentleman from J & J called investigating my complaint. He took all information and said probably nothing would come of it I told him I only wanted to let them know the side effects. You are probably the good person that told me about contacting J & J and I appreciate it because I didn't know where to turn and you gave me direction. I will say I no longer have to wear glasses for distance and most the time I read small print without aid .

Hi Cheryl - unfortunately those concentric circles around light sources at night don't go away. Doctors should be spending additional time explaining the trade offs to seeing well at all distances with those opting for Symfpny and multifocal lenses. I was fortunate mine did and I was aware of compromise I was making. I think if one knows in advance their expectations ate more realistic. Was told I would need glasses for small print and most of the time I can and rarely need glasses (only when lighting isn't optimal or tiny print on labels). So Symfony exceeded my expectations.

How is your day vision? That is where I find this lens excels.

You are so right about being informed of the trade-offs. I had no idea I would not be able to enjoy the moon, stars and night driving as I did before the surgery. I had worn my glasses most my life but they weren't an issue with me. I would have been happier if given the choice I'm sure

Cheryl - did you have cataracts ? With cataracts I saw halos and contrast was greatly reduced at night. Even in daytime couldn't read road signs. What I experience now with Symfony is better at night than when I had cataracts. my eyesight could no longer be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

I know doctors often push clear lens exchange (cataract surgery) to correct near vision issues patients have in their 40s - again without explaining trade-offs and IOLs aren't as good as one's natural lens. I don't think anyone should undergo cataract surgery until their vision cannot be corrected to 20/40 or better with glasses or contacts.

It is a shame this happens and I feel doctors are motivated by money and not patient care.

You mention the moon and stars. For me these look normal or at least from my memory of normal. Certainly there are no concentric circles around these or starbursts/flare. Some nights the moon has a purplish soft glow around it and other nights it's a sharp circle no glare - can even see dark patches now on it whereas with cataracts I could not. On nights it has that glow I have asked my friend I walk with if she sees that too and her response is yes (she doesn't have cataracts). My husband says same and he has no issues with hos eyesight.

What is it you notice about the moon and stars?

I see giant halos which is the lens around stars, moon, day, night any light source. While driving at night the street lights, car lights and any other light source all glare with big halos and make one giant light so big you can not tell where the traffic or road is. its dangerous. Lamps, tv every thing gives off this big giant halo day or night. i drew a picture if it and the doctor thinks I am seeing the lens from my description.

That seems excessive and no wonder it's been a nightmare for you. Is it possible your eyes dilate beyond the lens causing this effect? Younger patients more likely to experience that as their pupils dilate more than an older patient. Do you have much astigmatism? What is your current prescription? If you haven't been - it would be good to know .

i see the lens edge circle around the moon as well.

i dont see the concentric circles anymore.

When I revisited the surgeon he gave me drops to reduce the dilation and i tried them but no change

the miotic drops do eliminate my glare.

they cause headache for 5 minutes after administering.

however the ones sold in US have preservative benzakonyl chloride (BAK) in them which is harmful for the eyes.

systane also has preservative in it so i dont use it anymore.

so the systane ultra have preservatives in them? That's what I have been using. Do not need often but use them occasionally.

Which brand you recommend use?

Soks hoping a solution can be found for edge glare / arc. Hoping for good news to come put of your appointment.

I don't see concentric circles around moon or stars. And halo I see think is normal - many websites explain why that happens. Believe if it were my IOLs it would be a constant thing.

Here is a quote from one site to explain this:

"Halos around the sun or moon are caused by high, thin cirrus clouds drifting high above your head. Tiny ice crystals in Earth's atmosphere create the halos. They do it by refracting and reflecting the light. Lunar halos are signs that storms are nearby."

the systane bottle says it has polyquartenium (POLYQUAD) preservative.

i dont use anything for dry eyes. for miotic therapy i use internationally purchased alphagan which has to be discarded after 30 days as there is no preservative.

lumify also helps with pupil constriction but has BAK preservative.

if someone says they see a large circle around the moon it is dysphotopsia. and this circle is significantly large. there is a clear distinction between halo and edge glare.

Thanks - gather if they don't have to be thrown away like that they might all have preservatives. If I am up late or reading more those drops help but will look into this more. I was sure mine were preservative free. Checking label when I get home today.

Did a quick search and Systane does have a preservative free brand.

It seems if they are preservative free then they are separate vials.

I wish they would make such vials with lumify for me to grow old with a smaller pupil.

correct the systane preservative free are individual vials which means my ones at home aren't. Going to make sure to buy these ones from now on. Last thing I need is another vision issue.