Risk Factory Post Cataract Surgery YAG

[Art0512]

I had cataract surgery on both eyes in June and July 2010. I had the Acrysof Alcon IOLs implanted in each eye and was very pleased with the outcome until 3 weeks after the second eye was done. I then began to experience a diagonal streak across my field of visio and halos when looking at intense lights such as car headlights or bright reading lamps. My doctor's office had explained that this is fairly common and that the streaking and halos often go away after a few months. They advised me to not worry about it unless the streaking and halos are still occurring after 3 months. If so I am to see the doctor who performed the cataract surgery and IOL implants. What is strange is that I experienced streaking in the first eye a couple of days after surgery but it went away after a few days and has not returned.  I was extremely myopic, -12.5 and -18.25 diopters, before surgery. The eye which was -12.5 diopters before surgery is the one in which I am experiencing streaking and halos. I am at about two months post surgery and neither the streaking nor halos have gone away yet. My doctor's office has told me that I may need a YAG procedure to correct this problem. My question is: what are the risk factors  of the YAG procedure for someone like me who has formerly very myopic?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Art0512,

The YAG is a common procedure in which a laser is used to create a hole so the vision is clear.  Being nearsighted does place you at a higher risk for retinal detachments.  You should be examined thoroughly before and after the procedure.  Ask your eyeMD more questions about your condition.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[AntonReiser]

Please read:
http://www.jpma.org.pk/full_article_text.php?article_id=1511
http://depot.knaw.nl/1486/1/15911_289_dejong.pdf
https://oa.doria.fi/dspace/bitstream/10024/2278/1/retinald.pdf
Please view a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_H-HLqsFcc

The main risk factor for retinal detachment is high axial length as it occurs in high myopia.