Cataract surgery caused crescent moon

by Sandra
(Hickory Creek, Tx)

I had cataract removal surgery 5 weeks ago and to my dismay it has been a nightmare.

After having a bad reaction to to the anesthesia, I woke up with a crescent moon on the anterior side of my eye. The crescent gets larger when the room or sun is bright and thinner when it dims or I wear sunglasses ( which I do quite often ).
I am so frusterated I don't know what to do. Doctor wants to do a piggy back on it and says it should be ok. I am not sure about this. Doctor said this is a reflection of my new lens because my eye area was deeper then usual. Also my other eye is waiting until this is resolved because the same thing will most likely happen to the other eye as well.

Just to let everyone that reads this know, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, before doing any surgery. You never know what can happen and we only have 2 eyes.

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Jun 19, 2021
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Gift of 2 moons
by: Deborah Shann

Had cataract surgery four years ago and I still see the crescent moon in right eye and unfortunately my left eye was so bad I had surgery on it 5 days ago and now have been given the life long gift of another crescent moon. I did remind the surgeon of the problem of the first lens replacement before surgery on my second eye but I was told there is only one size of lens available. I've trusted him with this knowledge but with the technology available You would think this would be corrected by now.

Does anyone know if there are different sizes of lenses?
Or corrective surgery?

Aug 08, 2020
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Crescent and blur vision
by: Anonymous

I had my cataract surgery two months back. I have never been this depressed in my life. My vision is worse that it was before the op. I can no longer drive confidently because of the blurriness in my eyes and the moon and stars that I see. I went to my doctor several times after the op and was told my problem will be corrected by spectacles. I now wear heavy lensed glasses, they improve my vision but its still not 100%. Some days I wake up with a pain around the eyes which makes me so sad. I regret doing the op, I wish I just stayed with my cataract. My advice is that if it doesn't bother you, if you can have a normal life with your cataract, keep it. I have done several necessary medical procedures in my life, this one I wish I never did, I regret it. D
I'M DEPRESSED, wish I could reverse it.

Mar 23, 2020
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Kamra inlay on right eye for 8 yrs
by: Cataract

Had Kamra inlay for 8 years before deciding to remove 3 years ago. It was a nightmare as there was stain after this inlay on my cornea after removal and this stain is imprinted forever. Now my far vision is totally out of focus and streaking is visible at night with street lamps and vehicle lights.
Had cataract after inlay removal and crescent is visible when in a bright lit area. as shared by others, putting on sunglasses help to eliminate this dark peripheral vision. it has been more than 3 years but not a chance my brain got used to this vision. Prior to my second cataract done on my left eye, my dr was told of my crescent vision on my right side but to my dismay, it happened to my right side too. I was advised to go for another op to move the lens out but shouldn't this surgery be done with this method since my problem was made known before my second op? I am now living with this problem and like to share my plight. My advise is: Do not go for cataract op if you can manage your daily work.

Aug 22, 2019
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Crescent Moons after Cataract Surgery
by: Judith

Well, next month it will be 1 year after my surgery. I must admit that I do not notice the crescent moons as much. However, I still see them, especially when not looking directly straight ahead. I also now have double vision when I look out of the side of my eye, or am laying down. Don't know if the double vision has anything to do with the cataract surgery or not....however, I NEVER had it before. (Thank the Lord I can still read!) Eye Dr. says my eyes are almost 20/20! My cataracts NEVER bothered me & was told they weren't growing over the years, but still needed them out. Hmmmmm.... wonder what that was based on? My advice is NOT to have them out unless absolutely necessary. Although ours is an uncommon side effect of the surgery ~ why have it if not needed. I would not do so, in "looking" back!!!

Aug 22, 2019
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Bring back my cataract!
by: Tom

I never thought I'd say I wanted my cataract back but this cataract surgery and lens implant is about to drive me nuts. My doctor says I have "negative dysphotopsia" and just to give my brain about 6 months to adjust. I can't read or look at anything without getting dizzy because of the blur and crescent-shape in my periphery. My whole profession is based on reading and computer work and I feel I'm in a visual nightmare. However, wearing wrap-around sunglasses alleviates some of the blurring and shimmering. If my eyes are focused straight ahead - like watching TV - the crescent and blur is not as noticeable as trying to read - especially in the light. This has made me rather depressed.

Jun 12, 2018
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cataract surgery crescent moon
by: Brent Farwick

I don't, for even a second, assume that my experience is typical. For those who find no relief, you have my sincerest sympathies.

I experienced this in both eyes after surgery. My ophthalmologist basically gave me the brush off. I'm glad he did. After doing some reading, I realized that over time my brain was likely to just tune out the dark crescents that so annoyed me -- I also read something to that affect. Ever notice how you don't see your nose even though it's clearly in your field of vision?

If you don't read any further, at least do this:

search for: an unrelenting dark crescent cataract
You'll learn a lot.

Anyway, after two years I realized I hardly ever saw those annoying dark crescents (tho I could see them anytime I wanted by staring intently in bright sunlight).

It sounds like the most common culprit is a square-edged lens implant.

May 14, 2018
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We all have different size hands, noses, butts, why would our eyes all be the same size!
by: Anonymous

This many people are having same issue, and I have only seen one comment on how this error was corrected. Getting the right size lens put in. How foolish of these make a quick buck so called eye doctors to assume that everyone has the same size lenses. We all know what the first three letters of assume spell. Now with that being said, can't the rest of you go and fight with your insurance company to make this right? I mean actually the eye doctor shouldn't have been paid. You would take your car back, and make a mechanic repair a pissed poor job. Just saying. Sounds like these eye doctors are in it for a quick buck, and they all have excuses. My friend just had same procedure, and is having same issues. Believe me I'm gonna go to doctors for this recheck. I wish you all well, and hope you have the strength to make sure these doctors get the right size, and replace yours. Good day.

May 05, 2018
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Black Half Moons
by: Solly

I'm having same problem both eyes very annoying frustrating. Also experiencing fluttering when looking at stripes. Light sensitivity has increased so I'm always squinting and my eyes get really tired. I had no choice to get mine done; I could hardly see but there has to be an explanation or a way to prevent those half moons🙏🏽🙏🏽

Apr 09, 2018
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Crescent Moon shadows have not gone away!
by: Judith

Well, here it is 7 months after cataract surgery & the crescent moons are still there. Have seen my Dr. & she said that it is because my brain is seeing a portion of the eye with no vision - the lens she put in was bigger that my original. Said my brain will adjust to it. Well, guess what? It has not! Also the promised streaks coming off of lights would be no more - and it appears worse! I am light sensitive more than I was. When I questioned my Dr. about all of this during last visit she did say it was a side-effect but not a common one. So guess what people we aren't common! I will not put my eyes through another surgery with the potential of the same outcome. And I would suggest to those of you being pushed into cataract surgery do your research before doing it. Had I known I never would have had it. It has made nothing better & many things worse!

Apr 09, 2018
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Crescent Shadow Too
by: Shad

So glad to know that this is not in my head. Had successful cataract surgery last October and again this year. However, I have crescent shaped shadows temporally on both sides. This is very distressing. My Dr is not sure what it is. Had flashing lights prior to shadows in both eyes. No retinal detachment or other pathology noted.

Jan 08, 2018
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Dark Curtain in peripheral vision
by: Judith

Had cataract surgery the end of August 2017 on my right eye. Every thing went well. Went back in Sept. 31 for the left eye surgery. During this 1 month healing process I developed the "dark curtain". When I went in to Dr. she said it was probably due to prednisone drops - so discontinue and made an f/up appt. for Jan. 23, 2018. Since then it has gotten worse but has stopped expanding. Dark curtain occurs when I look right or left, or up or down. No when I look straight ahead. My eyes are very sensitive now to light (more so than when I had the cataracts). Have tried to get into Dr. before the 23rd, but am told there are no openings. After reading the experiences of you people, I feel that this is something I am going to have to live with & it depresses me! Will let you know what Dr. says.

Oct 09, 2017
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Half moon left eye
by: Anonymous

Had cataract surgery. Mutifocal lens put in left eye. When I look to the right I see a half moon look, out of the left side, of my left eye. What should I do? It's been 23 days since the surgery. Too soon to tell, if it will get better .

Aug 04, 2017
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Another crescent Moon
by: Sandra Bonser

Well after 4 years of waiting for the left eye (crescent moon ) to go away the cataract in my right eye has gotten a bit worse, so I decided to have the cataract removed. The right eye could not be corrected so that I could pass my eye test for renewal of my driver's license and that is why I made the decision to have the surgery. I went with the same eye doctor because he was so familiar with my case and had done a lot of research about it.

Well I got my patch off today and now there is a crescent moon in my right eye. I feel like a horse with blinders on. I don't know what to do. The left eye went through two surgeries, the second to put in a piggy back lens and that didn't help and now the right eye has the same thing going on.

I'm told that I am a very rare case of wide peripheral vision. This is so heart breaking that with all the medical breakthroughs that this cannot be rectified.

Apr 02, 2016
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Lens replacement surgery
by: Roger

I went to a REAL EYE DOCTOR after battling with the insurance company for their approval for corrective surgery. The new Doctor removed the problem lens a year after it was incorrectly placed and put in another lens and the crescent moon was GONE the minute the Surgeon finished the corrective lrocedure. It has been more than a year since the Shepherd Eye Center in Las Vegas completed the corrective procedure and my vision is excellent and without the crescent n nuisance.

Apr 02, 2016
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I have the same crescent shap blind spot
by: Cl

I was wondering if Sanra still has the same problem or did it go away.

Oct 19, 2014
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Crescent Moon
by: Roger

I had my cataract surgery in February of 2014 and like Sandra have been miserable with this shadowy figure at the outer edge of the lens implant. I reported this to the surgeon's assistant immediately after the procedure. They told me that I was seeing the edge of the lens and it would probably go away in time. Several weeks after the procedure they referred me to a retina specialist for a complete eye check and he reported no abnormalities. When I asked why I was seeing this he said I probably had this crescent in my vision prior to the surgery and now that I can see better I am noticing this crescent. This report was a simple white washing to cover the surgeon's error. After several months of being tossed around with no specific diagnosis, my primary care physician referred me to a different cataract specialist. He gave me the news about the lens implant being too small for my pupil. He has given me Rx to shrink the pupil hoping the shadow will go away and avoid corrective surgery. Waiting to hear from my lawyer now.

Sep 05, 2013
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thanks
by: Sandra

Thank you for your input. The crescent moon is still there and it has been 6 months now. I have not done the other eye because I am scared of the same result. I was hoping it would go away but it has not gotten any better. You may be right, maybe it is better to have what eyesight I do have and not go through this again. I still have not found a specialist that has any experience with this matter.

Apr 25, 2013
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Just stick to one eye
by: Jan

I feel so bad for all the sad stories I have read about cataract surgery. Just don't do the other eye - I had one eye done and I can see pretty good with glasses even though the other eye without the cataract surgery is slightly blurred. It seems that I can see good with both eyes. It's hard to explain. I am happy with this situation even though my eye with the cataract waters now and then. I just wipe it and learn to live with it. I hope your situation gets corrected and hope that crescent goes away. I don't why so many doctors think that they are expert in this matter.

I wish you the best of luck.

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