Starbursts after yag

I developed subcapsular cataracts in both my eyes before age 49. I feel it was due to 3 different prescriptions, including prednisone and also had a shot of cortizone shot in my elbow too. I had my eyes checked regularly and never was there any discussions on even one cataract. Six months later I had two and one had be taken care of immediatly. I had that lens replaced and several years later, the other was replaced. Last December (2007), I started having problems again, especially with starbursts around lights and my Opthamologist did yag on one eye. It did not seem to be much better and on recheck, he did yag again. I guess it did improve and then spring, summer, fall comes and I started noticing the starbursts once again and set up another December visit to the Dr. He said because I got cataracts at a young age (relative to normal ages for cataracts) that these pieces have not been absorbed through my body, but instead pool and sit back in a sack that normally gets really jelly-like as you age and these pieces go through, but since mine is not jelly-like, they just stick there. It has been 2 weeks since the yag and am still having terrible problems with lights of all kinds outside, not inside. Even purchased some night vision glasses, which did absolutely nothing. My Dr. has assured me that eventually the residue left over will go away and that yag doesn't hurt your eyes, but I don't care to go through it again. Does anyone have any opinions as what I should do?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Your doctor may have to enlarge the size of the yag.  Also, alphagan or pilocarpine may help you at night (they both constrict the pupil).