Why am I often experiencing a permanent losses of visual acuity after dilation of my left eye?
This has happened probably 50% of the time, when my left eye is dilated, maybe six times in all in the last few years.
I was being examined for several reasons: PEX syndrome with related glaucoma in the OS, cataract in the OS, and drusen, I think in both eyes. I reported my reaction of acuity loss to each of four doctors who had examined me: we tried different dilating solutions, using the weakest possible amount. The result has been the same overall, though not each time, and never in my right eye. I can find no literature which bears on this question.
The doctors involved theorize that there is no relation between the dilating drops and the very swift growth of the cataract in my left eye. They have not ventured any pronouncement on the possible relation of dilating drops and PEX Syndrome. I had cataract surgery in June 2009 which failed because of a choroidal hemorrhage: the eye was stitched closed before a lens could be implanted. Fortunately, I did not lose my vision, and now use a contact lens in the OS. And the IOP in the OS has dropped enough (to 18) so that I no longer use Xalatan to control it.
My eyes were dilated recently, and I have some loss of acuity in the OS once again. I am speculating this has to do with the remnants of lens tissue affected by cataract and/or the regrowth of lens tissue, as suggested by the doctor.
In that the doctor wants to continue to dilate the OS, to monitor the conditions there, I am concerned about the effects of the dilating drops on my vision. Can anyone shed any light on this constellation which seems to recur at least 50% of the time? Can anyone suggest any alternatives?