Three weeks post operation…
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have experienced streaks of light in the eye that underwent cataract surgery. I first thought it was caused by my astigmatism, and made an appointment to see my optometrist next week. It was basically one major light streak across the eye at an angle of roughly 30 degrees to the horizon when I looked directly at a light bulb.
I accidentally rubbed my operated eye during sleep last night, and now the streak broke into a few streaks. I am not sure how hard the eye was rubbed, and how much pressure was applied. Just wonder of this change of light streak pattern has anything to do with the rubbing. So far, it appears that the vision of my operated eye remains unchanged.
0 likes, 9 replies
RonAKA mike38903
Edited
It seems unlikely that rubbing the eye should have anything to do with the IOL and optical side effects. The main reason they advise against rubbing the eye and keeping it covered at night for the first week is to allow the incision to heal. They typically use no stitches and it just has to heal on its own.
.
I wonder if you may be having some dry eye issues? It may be worth trying some dry eye drops to see if they change anything.
007Bond RonAKA
Edited
"I wonder if you may be having some dry eye issues? It may be worth trying some dry eye drops to see if they change anything."
Excellent point I highly recommend lubricating drops after the surgery Ron is definitely correct.!
mike38903 RonAKA
Posted
I started using Systane preservative free a few months prior to the surgery and am still using it twice a day. It helps a lot in alleviating my dry eye condition, but seems having little effect on getting rid of the light streaks.
007Bond mike38903
Edited
Mike what kind of eye IOL did you get? Single vision multifocal extended depth of focus. Basic IOLs don't correct the astigmatism so did you get one that corrects it or not?
Some people do experience streaks of light for sometime I've even read some people it doesn't quite go away. But it definitely seems concerning that it changed after you rubbed your eye might be worth a visit to the doctor just for them to make sure the IOL is still correctly placed. But you're saying your vision is still good and unchanged so maybe you're OK and just nervous because you rubbed it. But if you've only got a small copay can't hurt to go to have them take a look.
I personally wore the patch over my eye for the full 30 days and I am still doing the same for my eye that was just operated on. I know they tell you that only need to wear it for a week but it seems to be for the first 30 days or so the eye can be irritated so I wanted to make sure I didn't accidentally rub it while sleeping.
mike38903 007Bond
Posted
I put my eye shield back on at night for one more week, just to play safe!
007Bond
Posted
mike38903 Let us know about the above questions.
"Mike what kind of eye IOL did you get? Single vision multifocal extended depth of focus. Basic IOLs don't correct the astigmatism so did you get one that corrects it or not?"
mike38903 007Bond
Posted
I got an enVista monofocal non-Toric, as astigmatism was not my major concern.
Guest mike38903
Edited
Single streaks (aka Maddox Rod) are usually caused by a wrinkle in the posterior capsule… which is extremely common. If you ever develop PCO and require YAG that may fix the streaks at the same time. But they probably wouldn't do it just for a streak.
mike38903 Guest
Edited
Thanks, david98963, for the info. So, I guess it is also common for the pattern of streaks to change a little bit as the healing process progresses. I will definitely bring this to my surgeon's attention when I meet her in about 2 weeks. This eye of mine was quite myopic, and the capsular bag might be bigger, making it easier to get a wrinkle when the IOL was implanted into the bag.