PCO w/out cloudiness/visual aberations

[NancyCat]

I had left cataract surgery in may, surgisite Boston/catayls laser. Alcon mono focal soft lens set to near. My vision especially color is excellent.  My surgeon told me during the surgery that he was not able to scrape all the "sticky stuff" off w/out compromising the capsule and that I would likely develop PCO and need a yag. The next day he said he saw more debris than is usual so I came back a 2nd day to be checked for infection. No infection, he said it was just me.

Last week I started seeing flickers that turned into circles with a ring around it, fades if I close my eyes. Have seen red, green, yellow and blue circles. I mostly see these things when certain light sources hit the left eye a certain way. To better describe, using iPad to write this, not seeing any aberration, close my eyes and I see a bluish white halo., just closed them again, now aberration is solid light blue. My vision is excellent, and NOT cloudy.

  I called and was seen in the office the day after Labor Day, complete dilated exam. Lens is in perfect position, "fuzz" was seen in the area where he couldn't scrape during the surgery, more than what was left at that time but not a huge amount. He thinks this is likely scatter from the membrane growing causing me to see these things and that a YAG will resolve it. He mentioned positive and negative dystrophia but just in passing.

I thought the symptoms of PCO were cloudiness and diminished vision. My vision is great. I also sometimes see flickers of glare out to the left in certain lighting conditions and this can trigger a "vision" round circle thing that fades.

Just wondering if this sounds normal, he asked how much it was bothering me, I guess so he would know how soon I wanted the YAG, it wasn't to bad but waxes and wanes, but I will get the YAG sooner rather than later .

Thank you for your time

[NancyCat]

The "visions" seem to have lessened over the past few days, so for now unless my vision becomes cloudy, not doing anything. Thanks for your reply

[Anomalychick]

The bluish white halos when you close your eyes sound like after images on your retina. I recently had cataract surgery and I've been having those too, atlhough they've certainly lessened a lot. Nothing you are describing sounds like it's caused by PCO. It sounds like edge glare off the iol and more light getting into your eye since the cataract has been removed. Don't have another operation if there is not likely to be a benefit to it, as it carries additional risks.

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

I am not sure if the images which you are seeing are due to the PCO, or if you are getting a reflection off the edge of the lens optic.  PCO generally causes blurred vision, as if you had the cataract again.  In fact, this used to be called after cataract or secondary cataract for that reason.  Some patients with PCO describe their vision as filmy or dirty, and keep cleaning their glasses to see if that is the problem.  Positive dysphotopsia refers to an image, like a bright arc or circle.  If such an image is dark, then it is called negative dysphotopsia. If your vision is crisp and clear, I would hold off on the YAG.  While it is an outpatient procedure which is painless, it is not without risk:  increased eye pressure, retinal detachment, inflammation, macular edema.

[NancyCat]

Not seeing any replies, hope I didn't mess things up by double post. Thanks

[NancyCat]

just wanted to add that the type of cataract i had was posterior sub capsular, also have one in my right eye, not bothering me enough yet to operate