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Avatar universal

Crystalens and light sensitivity

I had cataract surgery on both my eyes recently and had Crystalens implants in each eye.  I had no trouble with the first eye.  The second eye was a lazy eye, but the dr indicated it was not a "junk" eye (it never wandered).  The vision in it was 20/70.  The dr thought he could possibly get the vision to 20/40 in this eye because it was not your typical "lazy" eye.  I had the surgery on my first eye on January 29 and the surgery on my lazy eye on February 5.  both surgeries went very well; no pain or discomfort.  I had some initial blurriness with the first eye, but that soon disappeared and my vision started to improve.  

On my second eye after about a week (in fact I first detected it on February 13) I started to have a sensitivity in that eye.  At first I didn't know if it was a sudden reaction to the drops or an allergic reaction of some kind.  Over a period of a couple days I came to realize I am experiencing extreme light sensitivity in this eye.  I have read that the Crystalens is so clear that light sensitivity is experienced by some people temporarily.  I just wonder if my lazy eye is even more sensitive to the light because it didn't work well for 50+ years.  As severe as the sensitivity is, I will tolerate it if I think it is only temporary.  I was wondering if what I am experiencing is normal; has been experienced by other people, and if so, how long you had to deal with it before it alleviated.

It does seem to worsen after the drops, but I was told I needed to continue taking the drops (think they are some kind of a prednisone drop).  Will it go away once I am through using the eye drops?  

Any input would be greatly appreciated.  I have an appt with my dr next week but am desperately trying to find some answers in the meantime.  
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Avatar universal
Hi, wonder if you could find time to give me an update please?  I had cataract removal 3 weeks ago on a lazy eye and am experiencing the same problems as you.  The light sensitivity is excrutiating.  Can anyone else help with this as well?  Any help much appreciated
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Avatar universal
Had left eye cataract removed several months ago.  After removal of bandage I could see nothing except pure white, no vision at all.  It took several days to begin to see things.  I few weeks ago I had left eye cataract removed, another opthomologist as first one had moved,  Now I have extreme problems with brightness in both eyes.  I wear dark sunglasses and dark overglasses due to the brightness.  I have reduced my computer LCD screen to half brightness and turned off other room lights.  Inside a restaurant with large windows I must wear sunglasses and light is still painfull.  I used the Pregnasone Drops after each surgery only for about a week, but now do not.  I use Muro 128 Bausch & Lomb eve drops daily as prescribed by my opthomologist.  There is some light sharp pains upon each use.  I mentioned this brightness to my opthodmologist but did not receive a reply and he left the room quickly.  He is very busy and not possible to easily reach.  I will have an annual visit where perhaps I can obtain more information.  He wanted to use a laser through the new lens but I do not have blurred vision an said no.  That would only make the brightness more severe.  I will begin to NOT use these eye drops daily and wait for results.  I am having prescription distance sun glasses made and they are to be a very dark gray (no red added).  My eyes did not come back to 20/20.  I now must use over the counter # One (weakest) reading glasses.  This will be in my permanent prescription glasses.  Has anyone else experienced this problem and does the brightness evenutally go away?  I guess that my regular bifocal glasses, when made, will have to be shaded.  Any comments or experiences will be appreciated.
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Probably FML a steroid drop. Good luck
JCH MD
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the comment.  I was wondering if there was anyone else out there who was going through the same thing.  I hate to hear that you are, but it makes me feel like I am not dealing with something that is totally out of the ordinary.

Update.  I had an appt this week with my doctor.  He is leaning towards the drops causing my sensitivity so changed them again.  I had been using OmniPred and PredForte.  He changed me to something starting with an "F". . . said it was a drop that is about 20 years old and not used as much anymore.  I am to use it 3 times a day for two weeks.  I still have the sensitivity but mainly just to daylight (not so much artificial; i.e., indoor, TV, light).  Previously I was sensitive to all light. He says it is too soon after the surgery for me to stop with the drops.  I have decided to put up with these till I see him again.  In the meantime, my older sister heard about my problem and called to tell me when she had cataract surgery (she didn't get Crystalens) she had a terrible time afterwards.  She said her dr also had to change the drops several times.  She said it was awful but it eventually got better.  Maybe this is just something I am genetically prone to having problems with.  Anyway, it is better; not good, but better.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the comment.  I was wondering if there was anyone else out there who was going through the same thing.  I hate to hear that you are, but it makes me feel like I am not dealing with something that is totally out of the ordinary.

Update.  I had an appt this week with my doctor.  He is leaning towards the drops causing my sensitivity so changed them again.  I had been using OmniPred and PredForte.  He changed me to something starting with an "F". . . said it was a drop that is about 20 years old and not used as much anymore.  I am to use it 3 times a day for two weeks.  I still have the sensitivity but mainly just to daylight (not so much artificial; i.e., indoor, TV, light).  Previously I was sensitive to all light. He says it is too soon after the surgery for me to stop with the drops.  I have decided to put up with these till I see him again.  In the meantime, my older sister heard about my problem and called to tell me when she had cataract surgery (she didn't get Crystalens) she had a terrible time afterwards.  She said her dr also had to change the drops several times.  She said it was awful but it eventually got better.  Maybe this is just something I am genetically prone to having problems with.  Anyway, it is better; not good, but better.
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also had cataract surgery about the same time. HD Crystalens implant.  I had extreme  sensitivity to day light from day one. Sunglasses helped but still alot of discomfort. I am talking the same drops. This drop seems to be very important as far as reducing inflamation. It also makes my eye more sensitive and dry adding to the discomfort. Also my  Dr. removed a stich today that also helped quite a bit with the sensitivity. So there are two or three different things going on that we are not used to. Plus we have been looking thru a very yellow, clowdy lens for quite a few years. Best of luck!!
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hey. Don't put up with that. Any practicing physician, especially a surgeon, is ethically and legally responsible to have a physician/surgeon available for call in the event they are sick, out of town, etc.

You should have been able to talk to the Eye MD that was coverning his/her practice and if necessary see that covering Eye MD.

When you go in express your displeasure and ask for reassurance that you will be able to reach him/her or a covering Eye MD at night, on weekends, and holidays.

I don't work in office either on Friday but my associates will see any emergencies, my staff will answer phone calls and questions and arrange medication refills and if necessay the will call me at home or on the road to deal with a big problem.

JCH MD
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for responding.  The surgeon isn't available on Fridays so I probably will have to suffer till Monday.  If it is still as sensitive as it has been, I will contact the surgeon first thing Monday morning and try to get to the bottom of this.
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Call your surgeon TODAY and ask to come in today for a check of your symptoms.
JCH MD
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If I were you, I would call my doctor right away. They should be able to give some advice over the phone.

My eyes were dilated for about a week after getting Crystalens lenses, so they were light-sensitive for that reason. Nothing beyond that for me, though.
Helpful - 0
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