FLASHES OF LIGHT AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

[vyonnie]

I HAD CATARACT SURGERY THREE WEEKS AGO.  ABOUT 5 DAYS I STARTED GETTING FLASHES OF LIGHT IN THE EYE, EVEN IN THE DARK.  I WENT BACK TO THE DOCTOR ON THURSDAY.  HE DILATED THE EYE, DID AND EXAMINATION AND ASSURED ME THAT EVERY THING SEEMS OK.  HE SAID THAT THE FLASHES COULD BE A REFLECTION OF LIGHT ON THE LENSE, AND THAT SOMETIMES THE LENSE WILL MOVE AROUND UNTIL IT SETTLES COMPLETELY IN THE SAC.  EVEN WITH HIS REASSURANCE, I AM STILL WORRIED.  SOMETIMES THE FEELING IS AS IF MY EYE IS WATERING, THEN I GET THE FLASH OF LIGHT. I NOTICE THIS MORE WHEN I MAKE SUDDEN CHANGES IN BODY MOVEMENT.--TURNING AROUND IN BED , SITTING DOWN AND TURNING OF THE HEAD

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You need to ask YOUR SURGEON about these problems.

JCH III MD

[vyonnie]

Thank you so much for your reply.  Does the flashing ever goes away?.  It seems to be worse at the end of my work day, especially when I am laying in bed.  On the second day after surgery I started wearing contact lens in my left eye, since I could no longer wear my old glasses.  I stop wearing the contact lens last week sunday because of the stress of trying to get it in and out of the eye.  Could I be straining the operated eye, and as a result contribute to the flashing ?.  Also, sometimes, just before the flash, I get a sensation as if there is tears comming out ot the eye, but nothing comes out.
THANKS AGAIN.VYONNIE

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

What your surgeon told you is true in many cases. Continue to have him/her observe your eye for further changes.

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JCH III MD