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problems with flickering vision after cataract surgery
I am 49 years old and had cataract surgery on my left eye 11 months ago. The lens used was a Acrysof IQ Intraocular lens. After the surgery I experienced flickering light resembling strobe lighting in my vision with this eye. I returned to by surgeon after 3 months and was was told this would subside in 6 to 12 months as my brain adjusts to the new lens. It has subsided a little but I continue to have problems under florescent lighting. Under florescent lighting condition my vision in this eye feels like I am looking through a wet eye. Again it is the feeling of mild strobe lighting . I find I am blinking all the time and find that this eye gets teary under florescent lighting conditions whereas my other eye does not.
What is causing this and given it has almost been a year, will this ever stop. I feel as if I have traded one eye problem for a new one. Is this a common complaint after cataract surgery.
What is causing this and given it has almost been a year, will this ever stop. I feel as if I have traded one eye problem for a new one. Is this a common complaint after cataract surgery.
About three weeks after repisitiining the lens and brightness sensitivity has improved, but streaks in all daylight are still there.
I used a pinhole and looked at the lens through my eye and found two little line fragments in the lens. They may be fibers left over from the fist surgery as the doctor was not able to get everything.
My question is how do I tell what exactly is behind the lens? Could it be the capsular bag has two wrinkles or is it possible it's other debris behind the lens?
I was told to wait till the end of July and then talk about expanding. My problem is that it or is debris, I'd rather get it removed and not switch lenses. I'm very frustrated with not getting answers and I'm not sure my doctor is giving me answers. I have to wonder if he could see these or if bright lights would hide them.
I used a pinhole and looked at the lens through my eye and found two little line fragments in the lens. They may be fibers left over from the fist surgery as the doctor was not able to get everything.
My question is how do I tell what exactly is behind the lens? Could it be the capsular bag has two wrinkles or is it possible it's other debris behind the lens?
I was told to wait till the end of July and then talk about expanding. My problem is that it or is debris, I'd rather get it removed and not switch lenses. I'm very frustrated with not getting answers and I'm not sure my doctor is giving me answers. I have to wonder if he could see these or if bright lights would hide them.
4 Comments
Spell correct. Explanting
You will not be able to tell. It's possible the ophthalmologist looking through dilated pupils might be able to tell. In any case whether its capsule wrinkles or small pieces of lens cortex removing will be difficulty or impossible.
Is that a case where they might decide to use a YAG laser in 3 months or more?
Also thank you for all of your explanations and answers. It is great to have answers as many doctors just say they do not know.
Additional question about whether it's possible to fix with YAG ?
Is it something that ultra sound or something else could take care of?
Since it is one line extending the full lens and a second line only half way through the lens I'm really thinking its lens cortex, but my guess is a wrinkle in the bag could still resolve as the lens heals or the YAG would fix it in the future.
Additional question about whether it's possible to fix with YAG ?
Is it something that ultra sound or something else could take care of?
Since it is one line extending the full lens and a second line only half way through the lens I'm really thinking its lens cortex, but my guess is a wrinkle in the bag could still resolve as the lens heals or the YAG would fix it in the future.
Hi, Papa_Tango. I read your post and I am curious - how are you doing after your IOL replacement?
Hi, Papa_Tango. I read your post and I am curious - how are you doing after your IOL replacement?
THANK YOU for bringing this to us. 85 year old hubby wanted cataract surgery in his better eye. (Macular Degeneration is much worse in his other eye.) Yesterday the eye surgeon answered him that there would be no bad side effects. He also could not guarantee that there would be better vision.
So, hubby has decided NOT to have the cataract surgery. It seems that replacing a natural lens with anything artificial will bring problems. Also, taking large amounts of Lutein, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, and Gingko Biloba (for Macular Degeneration) capsules from Swanson Vitamins seem to be improving his vision. At night three,eye drops of excellent grade flax seed oil (sold in refrigerator) seem to have destroyed any cataracts I might have had. He's become a believer in them , too.
Blessings for better eyesight because eyes are the windows of our souls.
So, hubby has decided NOT to have the cataract surgery. It seems that replacing a natural lens with anything artificial will bring problems. Also, taking large amounts of Lutein, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, and Gingko Biloba (for Macular Degeneration) capsules from Swanson Vitamins seem to be improving his vision. At night three,eye drops of excellent grade flax seed oil (sold in refrigerator) seem to have destroyed any cataracts I might have had. He's become a believer in them , too.
Blessings for better eyesight because eyes are the windows of our souls.
re: "has a smaller contrast factor"
Yup, the Tecnis lenses use a material with a higher Abbe number which reduces chromatic abberation which may help with that, as an article in this industry publication notes:
http://eyeworld.org/supplements/EW-December-supplement-2014.pdf
" Cataract surgery with an IOL with an Abbe number greater than that of the natural lens (47) can improve CA, so that our cataract patients could actually experience better vision quality than they did as young adults. "
re: "It is not something that occurs with ALL lenses. "
Threads around the net seem to indicate it happens with quite a few different lenses, though it may relate to the fact that the description of "flickering" is vague enough to relate to a variety of different phenomenon. It may be partly movement of the lens in general, but also some people have reflections off the edge of the lens when it moves. That is impacted by the design of the lens (in addition of course to its position in the eye and the tissue surrounding it). The Tecnis lenses (whether monofocal or other types) I recall have have edges designed to minimize reflection. The Symfony lens I have the flickering issue with is a Tecnis lens which does have that better edge design.
Overall I do see better things written about Tecnis lenses than the AcrySoft lenses, however I do have to wonder if the difference you see between your eyes in terms of flickering is entirely due to the lens model difference, or might be in part due to merely whether one lens might be looser than the other and perhaps not yet have healed into place since it sounds like it may only have been a few weeks since your surgery.
Yup, the Tecnis lenses use a material with a higher Abbe number which reduces chromatic abberation which may help with that, as an article in this industry publication notes:
http://eyeworld.org/supplements/EW-December-supplement-2014.pdf
" Cataract surgery with an IOL with an Abbe number greater than that of the natural lens (47) can improve CA, so that our cataract patients could actually experience better vision quality than they did as young adults. "
re: "It is not something that occurs with ALL lenses. "
Threads around the net seem to indicate it happens with quite a few different lenses, though it may relate to the fact that the description of "flickering" is vague enough to relate to a variety of different phenomenon. It may be partly movement of the lens in general, but also some people have reflections off the edge of the lens when it moves. That is impacted by the design of the lens (in addition of course to its position in the eye and the tissue surrounding it). The Tecnis lenses (whether monofocal or other types) I recall have have edges designed to minimize reflection. The Symfony lens I have the flickering issue with is a Tecnis lens which does have that better edge design.
Overall I do see better things written about Tecnis lenses than the AcrySoft lenses, however I do have to wonder if the difference you see between your eyes in terms of flickering is entirely due to the lens model difference, or might be in part due to merely whether one lens might be looser than the other and perhaps not yet have healed into place since it sounds like it may only have been a few weeks since your surgery.
This problem seems to be a common occurrence with the AcrySof SN60WF lens as demonstrated by many posts and articles on the internet. It is not something that occurs with ALL lenses.
I had IOL replacements about 3 weeks apart. Due to insurance needs of accomplishing surgery before the end of the year--the deductible was met--my surgeries happened in two different surgical centers, but by the same ophthalmologist.
My first lens was an Abbot Technis Z9002. What a beautiful lens. Clear, free of any spherical aberration, and excellent intermediate resolving capacity. The lens was a +13D power. The second lens was this AcrySof IQ at +13.5D. Interestingly, my surgeon did not give a thought about mixing these lenses--particularly that the IQ has an integral blue filter.
I am not the least impressed. Flickering and a vague crescent shadow on the posterior periphery of my left visual field are aggravating and distracting to say the least. Comparison between color or contrast perception of the two reveals that the IQ has a smaller contrast factor--and reduces and muddies the luminance of colors via its reduction of blue and short blue-green wavelengths. Some really odd shimmering and visual effects occur after dark depending on the illumination. Sodium vapor lighting is reasonable but made heavily orange--mercury vapor lighting results in large 'black' zones that are outright dangerous for night driving on a wet road.
Also of interest, a manifest refraction of the IQ eye does not solve the "soft" resolution problem of the lens. Although both eyes are now capable of 20/15 vision--the overall performance of the IQ just does not supply the same edge and contrast of the Technis.
What is surprising according to my ophthalmologist is that this lens has about 60% of the market share. I suppose that if they had been installed bilaterally, I would have not noted their poor transmission characteristics compared to the Technis. We have already discussed the options--and no, my brain is not going to accommodate the issue. The AcrySof will be explanted in a few weeks and replaced with a Technis--a lens not noted for this shimmering or dark border issues.
I had IOL replacements about 3 weeks apart. Due to insurance needs of accomplishing surgery before the end of the year--the deductible was met--my surgeries happened in two different surgical centers, but by the same ophthalmologist.
My first lens was an Abbot Technis Z9002. What a beautiful lens. Clear, free of any spherical aberration, and excellent intermediate resolving capacity. The lens was a +13D power. The second lens was this AcrySof IQ at +13.5D. Interestingly, my surgeon did not give a thought about mixing these lenses--particularly that the IQ has an integral blue filter.
I am not the least impressed. Flickering and a vague crescent shadow on the posterior periphery of my left visual field are aggravating and distracting to say the least. Comparison between color or contrast perception of the two reveals that the IQ has a smaller contrast factor--and reduces and muddies the luminance of colors via its reduction of blue and short blue-green wavelengths. Some really odd shimmering and visual effects occur after dark depending on the illumination. Sodium vapor lighting is reasonable but made heavily orange--mercury vapor lighting results in large 'black' zones that are outright dangerous for night driving on a wet road.
Also of interest, a manifest refraction of the IQ eye does not solve the "soft" resolution problem of the lens. Although both eyes are now capable of 20/15 vision--the overall performance of the IQ just does not supply the same edge and contrast of the Technis.
What is surprising according to my ophthalmologist is that this lens has about 60% of the market share. I suppose that if they had been installed bilaterally, I would have not noted their poor transmission characteristics compared to the Technis. We have already discussed the options--and no, my brain is not going to accommodate the issue. The AcrySof will be explanted in a few weeks and replaced with a Technis--a lens not noted for this shimmering or dark border issues.
2 Comments
Thank you for your direct experience and comparison between the Acrysoft IQ and Tecnis IOLs! Your personal experience appears to confirm Abbott's claims of the advantages of the Tecnis IOLs, especially higher contrast sensitivity. This is very important for my right eye which needs the best contrast sensitivity possible due to glaucoma.
I've been trying to get reviews comparing both of these brand IOLs for this reason.
I've been trying to get reviews comparing both of these brand IOLs for this reason.
I posted in my thread about the Symfony lens that I have issues with what subjectively I first described as "flickering", sort of like being in bad fluorescent lighting. Paying closer attention its more that the image itself is moving due to the constant small movements eyes are making all the time (or that the flickering is tied to the movement at least). if I concentrate hard for instance on just looking at one particular letter without moving my eyes then I can get it to subside (or almost do so). It seems to be both eyes, though the eye that was more myopic beforehand seems to be worse. I will repeat the info I found on this thread since its more relevant here.
I hadn't read about this concern beforehand as being at all common, but while researching it now I ran into a good free ebook overview of cataracts&surgery which mentions a minor innocuous version of it some might notice. It mentions in passing:
http://david-richardson-md.com/wp-content/uploads/ctb.pdf
"It's okay to read, but your vision may seem "jiggly". Because the lens capsule has not yet contracted around the IOL, there may be a slight jiggle of the lens with each eye movement. This is most noticeable when reading and will improve over the next few weeks."
In my case it sounds like its far more noticeable, problematic and has lasted 6 weeks postop at this point. The eye constantly makes small movements, especially while scanning to read, and the subjective impression of the image jiggling to me appears like the flicker of bad fluorescent lighting. Its likely mostly the lens needing to heal in place but it may be partly the eye&brain adapting to differences from the natural lens (in the case of your natural lens, the brain actually suppresses vision for a fraction of a second while the eye moves and while the natural lens jiggles a bit to a stop).
On this Medhelp page its mentioned:
https://covdblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/science-and-splash-my-eyes-couldnt-rest-for-a-minute/
"You also need to know that once your cataractous lens is removed and an IOL placed in the capsular bag, the bag is floppy so to speak. Over a period of six weeks it will encapsulate the IOL or shrink wrap it.
In the meantime you could have what is called pseudophakodonesis which is simply movement of your lens until it settles into place. If you are myopic or have a large eye it would happen more than a hyperopic or small eye. Once the capsule shrinks and it stabilizes it goes away."
This notes that among those where it is bothersome (and I have all the risk factors):
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ophthalmology-Optometry-979/2011/1/Flickering-Vision-IOL-Implant.htm
"You may experience some flickering of light or shimmering as the lens implant seats permanently into the capsule of the eye, and this may take up to three months. You may also see some edge glare during the first few months, typically in low levels of illumination.
These symptoms are more common in blue eyed patients, patients with higher levels of preoperative nearsightedness, and patients with large pupils.
Only a very small percentage of patients will notice these symptoms after three months, perhaps less than 1%."
Another source notes that other parts of the visual system can be looser at first as well:
http://www.science-bbs.com/150-med-vision/3cfabedd0bbe1663.htm
" Your lens is gone and with it goes some of the stabilizing support for your iris. Without it, the iris "jiggles" after saccades. We see it happen in the microscope. Normal, no biggie. "
Although it may be normal to some degree and "no biggie", in some cases like mine it is problematic when reading, but odds are it will go away soon (though it does take longer with a minuscule minority of people who do post around the net). If it doesn't resolve before then, I have an appointment with an eye surgeon on Feb. 2nd to have him look at the issue, where I may simply hear that I need to give it a bit more time. I'm uncertain what the remedies are other than time, if they manually move the capsule around it or suture or glue it in place better, or what.
I hadn't read about this concern beforehand as being at all common, but while researching it now I ran into a good free ebook overview of cataracts&surgery which mentions a minor innocuous version of it some might notice. It mentions in passing:
http://david-richardson-md.com/wp-content/uploads/ctb.pdf
"It's okay to read, but your vision may seem "jiggly". Because the lens capsule has not yet contracted around the IOL, there may be a slight jiggle of the lens with each eye movement. This is most noticeable when reading and will improve over the next few weeks."
In my case it sounds like its far more noticeable, problematic and has lasted 6 weeks postop at this point. The eye constantly makes small movements, especially while scanning to read, and the subjective impression of the image jiggling to me appears like the flicker of bad fluorescent lighting. Its likely mostly the lens needing to heal in place but it may be partly the eye&brain adapting to differences from the natural lens (in the case of your natural lens, the brain actually suppresses vision for a fraction of a second while the eye moves and while the natural lens jiggles a bit to a stop).
On this Medhelp page its mentioned:
https://covdblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/science-and-splash-my-eyes-couldnt-rest-for-a-minute/
"You also need to know that once your cataractous lens is removed and an IOL placed in the capsular bag, the bag is floppy so to speak. Over a period of six weeks it will encapsulate the IOL or shrink wrap it.
In the meantime you could have what is called pseudophakodonesis which is simply movement of your lens until it settles into place. If you are myopic or have a large eye it would happen more than a hyperopic or small eye. Once the capsule shrinks and it stabilizes it goes away."
This notes that among those where it is bothersome (and I have all the risk factors):
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ophthalmology-Optometry-979/2011/1/Flickering-Vision-IOL-Implant.htm
"You may experience some flickering of light or shimmering as the lens implant seats permanently into the capsule of the eye, and this may take up to three months. You may also see some edge glare during the first few months, typically in low levels of illumination.
These symptoms are more common in blue eyed patients, patients with higher levels of preoperative nearsightedness, and patients with large pupils.
Only a very small percentage of patients will notice these symptoms after three months, perhaps less than 1%."
Another source notes that other parts of the visual system can be looser at first as well:
http://www.science-bbs.com/150-med-vision/3cfabedd0bbe1663.htm
" Your lens is gone and with it goes some of the stabilizing support for your iris. Without it, the iris "jiggles" after saccades. We see it happen in the microscope. Normal, no biggie. "
Although it may be normal to some degree and "no biggie", in some cases like mine it is problematic when reading, but odds are it will go away soon (though it does take longer with a minuscule minority of people who do post around the net). If it doesn't resolve before then, I have an appointment with an eye surgeon on Feb. 2nd to have him look at the issue, where I may simply hear that I need to give it a bit more time. I'm uncertain what the remedies are other than time, if they manually move the capsule around it or suture or glue it in place better, or what.
I have the same problem, surgery 6 weeks ago with a reputable Toronto ophthalmologist, he says that he doesn't know what is going on and reacted like I'm the first one with this kind of problem. I can't go anywhere without wearing sunglasses, I cancelled the second eye surgery for now. Going for some tests next weeks. Very depressing.
do you know of a doctor in the sacramento, ca area? the flicker is driving me nuts
thanks
thanks
After surgery, my wife complains of the image in her eyes not aligning properly. Also, the image of the post-op eye is tilted, as a painting that has been hung carelessly. Any ideas or suggestions here?
Thanks for your contribution: I live in Toronto and have an eye problem after corneal transplant, a good opthomologist is my next step. Would you mind giving me the name of the one you went to in T.O. and did he help
Thanks DonnaL Toronto
Thanks DonnaL Toronto
The sad thing is no one is ever told that this strobe light effect is one possible side effect from cataract surgery. So I don't say shame on you I say shame on the doctors and the manufacturers for not listing this at the top of a possible negative side effect from cataract surgery. And, if you were like me you already knew people who had had cataract surgery with no complications and it never occurred to me that I would have to live with this for the rest of my life. I have been 1 year 4 months since my first surgery and it is still a problem. A specialist told me just ignore it and it will go away - will apparently he has never been subjected to a disco party all the time in his eye.
Wow - thank you Dr. Hagan. It's 14 months since my cataract surgery and I still have flickering/shimmering and others can see it shimmer when the light hits my eye a certain way also. I have been told by a couple ophthalmolgists that my brain will get used to it and adjust. It has not. I am so happy to see you recommend an eye surgeon at CEI. I live in Cincinnati. Thank you so much!!
Yes, there have been times when I have thought that I would be doing much better if I had lost the vision in that eye altogether. I think I would have been able to adjust to it by now.
The flickering is such torture. Imagine being in a room with a strobe light going off for over two years.
I do often simply put my hand over the eye to get some relief. I also have distorted vision, uncorrected refractive error and astigmatism, image size difference between the eyes and zero depth perception.
I have other issues in addition to the negative dysphotopsia. And they are in fact in my eye, not in my head. I have epiretinal membrane, intermittent CME, large vitreal floaters, wrong power IOL implanted, loose zonules, previous lasik, and the beginnings of Fuch's corneal dystrophy.
I have often wondered if the IOL is decentered, but every doctor who views it says it's in a good position.
On a positive note, I have just obtained an appointment with a very reputable opthalmologist in Toronto, and he has so far
a) taken the time to review my records
and
b) ordered up some tests that so far no one else has seen fit to do, likely because they (incorrectly!) assume that my problem is a psychciatric one, and/or they just don't want to be bothered trying to figure out what's wrong.
To those doctors I say: if you want to cherry pick for a living, go pick fruit. Otherwise, listen to the patients that come to you for care, try your best to help, and if you aren't comfortable helping, direct them to someone who can.
The flickering is such torture. Imagine being in a room with a strobe light going off for over two years.
I do often simply put my hand over the eye to get some relief. I also have distorted vision, uncorrected refractive error and astigmatism, image size difference between the eyes and zero depth perception.
I have other issues in addition to the negative dysphotopsia. And they are in fact in my eye, not in my head. I have epiretinal membrane, intermittent CME, large vitreal floaters, wrong power IOL implanted, loose zonules, previous lasik, and the beginnings of Fuch's corneal dystrophy.
I have often wondered if the IOL is decentered, but every doctor who views it says it's in a good position.
On a positive note, I have just obtained an appointment with a very reputable opthalmologist in Toronto, and he has so far
a) taken the time to review my records
and
b) ordered up some tests that so far no one else has seen fit to do, likely because they (incorrectly!) assume that my problem is a psychciatric one, and/or they just don't want to be bothered trying to figure out what's wrong.
To those doctors I say: if you want to cherry pick for a living, go pick fruit. Otherwise, listen to the patients that come to you for care, try your best to help, and if you aren't comfortable helping, direct them to someone who can.
2 Comments
I live in Wilmington, NC and had cataract surgery in both eyes, two weeks apart. This was in July 2022. Both lenses were Tori’s mono focal lenses. They were the Tecnic Eyhance lenses. One of the side effects that I have had is the flickering mentioned in many of these posts. It has affected my balance and I have gone to a physical therapist many times to try to resolve this with some improvement. However the flickering continues. When I stare at one object there is no flickering however when moving eyes in any direction the condition returns. It is difficult to describe but I have found it similar to the vibration sensed when the filament of an incandescent light is flickering and the effect this has on the environment. I am seeing my ophthalmologist for a one year follow up tomorrow. He was not the surgeon. If I don’t get some explanation should I return to the same surgeon or seek another opinion?
Yes, you need to return to the surgeon for an explanation and hopefully treatment.
If getting used to the phenomenon is impossible, you might--seriously--want to consider, at least at times, the eye patch you jokingly mentioned.
A friend underwent successful surgery for a benign brain tumor, which left her with the unfortunate side effect of two functional eyes that no longer saw quite the same image. The discordance turned out to be uncorrectable, so being a practical, get-on-with-it sort of person, she has resorted to a colorful selection of eye patches coordinated to her wardrobe. As it happens, she is a beautiful woman, and the patches do make quite a statement, while providing monocular vision that is functional and no longer distressing.
A friend underwent successful surgery for a benign brain tumor, which left her with the unfortunate side effect of two functional eyes that no longer saw quite the same image. The discordance turned out to be uncorrectable, so being a practical, get-on-with-it sort of person, she has resorted to a colorful selection of eye patches coordinated to her wardrobe. As it happens, she is a beautiful woman, and the patches do make quite a statement, while providing monocular vision that is functional and no longer distressing.
1 Comments
Where did she get the colorful patches? I've been wearing sunglasses with my good eye sunglasses lens removed and then I put additional black duct tape behind the sunglasses part so my surgical eye so it only sees black.
It is possible that your IOL may be slightly decentered. If this is the case you might want to ask your opthalmologist about argon laser pupilloplasty. Perhaps you have already investigated this, but if not you can find some information on the technique on the internet. Essentially the pupil is "shifted" by small laser pulses to the iris, hopefully resulting in better alignment of the IOL with the pupil.. You can also read more about the technique on some of my journal entires on this site -- just click on my profile. I had this technique performed and it did help my vision some, although in my case the goal was to provide clearer vision rather than an issue with the IOL edge.
Pupil costricting drops like pilocarpine or aphagan can help, but most practitioners do not recommend taking them for long periods of time.
Best of luck to you!
Pupil costricting drops like pilocarpine or aphagan can help, but most practitioners do not recommend taking them for long periods of time.
Best of luck to you!
Jaysta
Interesting that you had relief with the pupil constricting drops.
I found the opposite, it is much worse when the pupil is small, whether from the drops or bright light.
Interesting that you had relief with the pupil constricting drops.
I found the opposite, it is much worse when the pupil is small, whether from the drops or bright light.
Rickyboy
I am sorry that I seem to have hijacked your thread.
From the information I have gathered over the past couple of years, about negative dysphotopsia, for some people it does go away with time. Positive photopsia tends to go away on it's own more often than negative dysphotopsia.
Negative dysphotopsia is where you perceive a shadow on the temporal side of your vision. Positive photopsia is where you get light rays and streaks from light that reflects off the edge of the IOL ("edge glare").
It's not known what causes it but it's been theorized that it happens more often with: acrylic IOL, square edge IOL, high power IOL. There has also been some evidence that the edge of the capsulorhexis is somehow involved. Capsularhexis is the round opening that is made in the capsular bag to allow for cataract removal. The IOL gets inserted and the edges of the opening overlapped onto the IOL.
From what I understand, Dr. Masket has had some success treating this condition by moving the IOL forward and tucking the edges of capsularhexis behind the IOL.
If this is what you have, and time turns out not to be the healer, don't let anyone tell you it's in your head. It's a real and documented condition and it can be very distressing.
Best wishes to you from a fellow sufferer.
I am sorry that I seem to have hijacked your thread.
From the information I have gathered over the past couple of years, about negative dysphotopsia, for some people it does go away with time. Positive photopsia tends to go away on it's own more often than negative dysphotopsia.
Negative dysphotopsia is where you perceive a shadow on the temporal side of your vision. Positive photopsia is where you get light rays and streaks from light that reflects off the edge of the IOL ("edge glare").
It's not known what causes it but it's been theorized that it happens more often with: acrylic IOL, square edge IOL, high power IOL. There has also been some evidence that the edge of the capsulorhexis is somehow involved. Capsularhexis is the round opening that is made in the capsular bag to allow for cataract removal. The IOL gets inserted and the edges of the opening overlapped onto the IOL.
From what I understand, Dr. Masket has had some success treating this condition by moving the IOL forward and tucking the edges of capsularhexis behind the IOL.
If this is what you have, and time turns out not to be the healer, don't let anyone tell you it's in your head. It's a real and documented condition and it can be very distressing.
Best wishes to you from a fellow sufferer.
Im at 2 years after surgery,I still get flickering very controllable now,you just get use to it,you had imperfections with vision before surgery.i.e blurry vision,reflections in lenses of glasses,watery vision sometimes with contacts...remember these surgeries are man mad ,synthetic vision,not natural perfect vision as we want,we are one of people who have a defect,you just need to adjust thats all, having it taken out with a new replacement ,may not solve the problem and cause another.i.e blurry vision,eye pressure ..etc if you vision is good keep with it,it will ease,and very adaptable..there are things you can take,alphagam eye drops,parcarpine eye drops, whichwill shrink your pupils enough to stop the flickering,the flickering is the pupil bleeding over the margins of the lens in certain lights..or you can take tramadol,does the same thing,but these are short fixes,body and eyes will get use to it,best bet just get on with your life and forget about it,its there for good ! then it will disappear,by camouflage in the brain
Thanks for the names, one of them is already on my list.
I'll just have to keep trying until someone is (a) willing or (b) able to figure out what the problem is.
I'll just have to keep trying until someone is (a) willing or (b) able to figure out what the problem is.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are several world famous ophthalmologists that deal with IOL problems from all over the world. At the Cincinnati Eye Institute Robert Osher MD and in Los Angeles Samuel Masket MD
JCH MD
JCH MD
8 Comments
Hi Dr. Hagan - is there anyone in New York City that you can recommend for the flickering problem. I am 8 weeks out of cataract surgery and the flickering has been a nightmare. I am an attorney and my job involves hours and hours of reading. I need to get back to work. When I try to read I get flickering, eye swelling and headaches. Unable to read more than about 30 minutes. I am getting really worried. Thanks in advance.
I had problems with dysphotopsia after cataract surgery. A year later, I had lens exchange done by Dr. Richard MacKool Sr. Who practices in Astoria, Queens.
The dysphotopsia problem is common, usually is temporary and rarely required IOL exchange or surgery.
Thanks, Dr. Hagan. Is there anything that I can do to speed up getting over this issue? Also, am I doing any harm to my eyes or impeding recovery by pushing to read for extended periods of time? My work often requires many hours of reading a day and I am trying to get my reading stamina up to a point that I can return to work. . Thanks
CBCY - Thanks for the suggestion.
CBCY - Thanks for the suggestion.
So you are 8 weeks. What type of IOL? This problem more common in 'premium" iols that are multifocal, extended focus, accommodating or toric and less common with monofocal IOLs. When my wife has cataract surgery on both eyes she noted flickering in both eyes for about 4 weeks after which it rare occurred. Reading will not cause any problems with IOL
I think it is a monofocal IOL. So, any idea as to what is causing this? The flickering happens pretty much only when I am reading. The healing post-cataract surgery has been slow but eye was feeling pretty good last week (week 7) - inflammation was going down and just light sensitivity, flickering, pain at the back of my eye and general eye strain. All of this only pretty much only during and after I read. I am trying to build up the ability to read because my job is pouring over legal documents for hours and hours (typically 8-10 hours). Dr said that I wouldn't be hurting my eye in pushing to read but my eye seems to be feeling worse after my attempts to read for longer periods. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. thanks
I think it is a monofocal IOL. So, any idea as to what is causing this? The flickering happens pretty much only when I am reading. The healing post-cataract surgery has been slow but eye was feeling pretty good last week (week 7) - inflammation was going down and just light sensitivity, flickering, pain at the back of my eye and general eye strain. All of this only pretty much only during and after I read. I am trying to build up the ability to read because my job is pouring over legal documents for hours and hours (typically 8-10 hours). Dr said that I wouldn't be hurting my eye in pushing to read but my eye seems to be feeling worse after my attempts to read for longer periods. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. thanks
The flickering in immediate post op period is usually due to light being scattered by the incisions in the cornea. Later it can be from reflections from the IOL or the capsule that holds in place or needing glasses over the IOL
Time certainly hasn't helped in my case. It's been over 2 years for me and it is not one bit better and no one is willing to even acknowledge there is a problem never mind help me, and I am getting seriously depressed.
I want my life back.
I want to drive again.
I want to be able to grocery shop without my husband tagging along.
I want to be able to select restaurant seating based on the location of the table, not the orientation to the lighting.
I want to be able to use the computer for more than 10 minutes without having to close my eye.
I don't want to miss yet another year of skiing.
Why won't anyone help me?
I want my life back.
I want to drive again.
I want to be able to grocery shop without my husband tagging along.
I want to be able to select restaurant seating based on the location of the table, not the orientation to the lighting.
I want to be able to use the computer for more than 10 minutes without having to close my eye.
I don't want to miss yet another year of skiing.
Why won't anyone help me?
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