Cataract surgery side effects

[Mokara]

Had cataract surgery with monofocal lens implants performed by the highest recommended doctor in my area.  The first eye was done 14 days ago and I now have a flickering for about an hour after getting up in the morning.  At night when it is dark and I turn my head all the way to left, I see a pencil line yellowish light which appears at the edge of my eye near the temple area and then quickly disappears.   Do not have these problems with Right eye which was operated on a week later.  Is this a symptom which should go away or do I need to check this out with eye doctor if I can get a timely appointment??  Also cannot see close up with my old over the counter reading glasses, and I have to wear my driving glasses with which I am able to see the text on the computer and phone clearly.    Have not been informed before surgery of these possible side effects of cataract surgery.  Can anyone tell me about the flickering and could that eventually go away and why do I see clearly with my distance driving glasses on the computer and not my old close up glasses.  very peculiar for sure.

[MrPresley]

I had some flickering for a couple months following cataract surgery I had on one eye only, using a monofocal IOL, and then only when in bright sunlight or under fluorescent lights.  It's pretty much resolved itself since.  Regarding the glasses, you'd have to describe if both of your eyes were corrected by the IOLs for distance vision or if a monovision approach was used with one eye set for distance and the other for close up.  Readers are cheap though, and if both of your eyes were set for distance correction try a different strength than your old ones until you find one that works.  I use readers as needed over contacts, and there is only one strength that works correctly for me out of all the ones offered.

[JohnHaganMD]

The flickering is very common and is usually gone completely by 4-6 weeks. In most cases its reflections not from the IOL but from the incision. The surgery changes your glasses prescription so its usual for then not to work after surgery. in most cases you get new glasses 3-4 weeks post surgery.

[Mokara]

To John Hagan MD
Thank you for your message and I am encouraged by it and hope the flickering will go away.  However, would like to know what is causing the vertical light I see when turning my head sharp to the outmost Left?.  It Looks like a fine thin pencil line and I see it not during the day in light but when it is dark in a room or outside.  Can that be associated with the incision as the flickering is which you stated in your message.  I am looking at my Lens Implant ID card doctor's office gave me.  The lenses used are Monofocals and named ACRYSOF  IQ
made by Alcon Lab in Fort Worth, Tx
Model:  SN60WF  Poewr 22.0D Left Eye and Power 21.5 D Right eye
Length 13.0 mm Opitcal 6.0 mm
The lenses correct primarily distance and are the ones Medicare pays for.  
thank you so much for your answer.  Very much appreciated and I am sure everyone else who posts a problem does also, as I have read some of the reviews by you and gratitude of the ones you replied to.   God Bless you Dear Dr. Hagan

[Mokara]

TO MR. PRESLEY
Thank you for your response.  You were wondering what type of lenses were used for both eyes. The lenses for both eyes were for distance and this is the name of the IOL's  
ACRYSOF  IQ
made by Alcon Lab in Fort Worth, Tx
Model:  SN60WF  Poewr 22.0D Left Eye and Power 21.5 D Right eye
Length 13.0 mm Opitcal 6.0 mm
I will see my primary care eye doctor soon and see what he suggests for close up glasses.  Maybe I can wear over the counter ones.  I wore a Size 4 which no longer work, can see I phone with Size 3, but I think I might have to go to a size 2 or prescription glasses.  

Thanks for responding to my posting for explanation of my side effects.  Appreciate it  
Mokara

[MrPresley]

The ALCON IQ monofocal is the same IOL I had used, although mine was not set for distance correction since I do not need (yet at least) cataract surgery in my other eye.  Rather, mine was set to have the final vision in both eyes remain about the same.  I can see close up without readers fine without contacts, and only use readers for when I am wearing RGP contacts (which is daily) and need to see fine print or text clearly.  Simple over the counter readers are the ones I use.

ALCON's lab has been located in south Fort Worth since as long as I have lived in TX, about 33 years.

[JohnHaganMD]

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