Cataract surgey

by Ernest Pisani
(Edison, NJ)

It's about 6 months since I had cataract surgery in both eyes. Since the surgery when I look into lights (especially at night) I see long streaks of lights eminating form the core of the light. The streaks are diagonal and present in both eyes. My doctor tells me the streaks will go away but after 6 months I'm worred. Anyone with similar problem?

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Apr 07, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		YAG for light streaks
by: ARKW52

I am sorry you had to deal with this issue. I was so anxious and mistrusting of the surgeons it took me a year to have the YAG after an explant. Then during the YAG, the surgeon stopped the YAG because his own glasses had become fogged up by the mask he was wearing due to COVID19 rules. I still have the same streaks just a little bit shorter. The streaks sort of move around now and I think I have more floaters than I had before. The surgeon said to live with the results for a while. I am contemplating a trip to the City even though the suburban clinic I went to has a very good reputation.

Please update your post when you have more info to share. AW
Apr 06, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Streaks of light, light glare
by: Jim B

I had my right eye cataract removed March 3rd, 2021, and at this moment, wish I had not. I cancelled the surgery scheduled for my left eye.

I have the same diagonal light streaks that others describe. I also still have some "shimmering" of light around the edges, which I'm told 'should' disappear as the eye heals tightly around the lens.

I have been stressed and depressed thinking I will have to live with this.
I was seeing fine using contact lenses before, and no one suggested that I not have the surgery until my vision was worse and no one suggested my vision might be WORSE after the surgery. It was just based on exam that I have moderate cataracts, and I can have the surgery.
I FULLY BELIEVE i should have been encouraged to not have surgery until my vision deteriorated.

So at 2 weeks after the surgery, the surgeon looked in the microscope and said my cornea is good, the lens is good and the capsule is good. She could not explain the streaks, said wait until 1 month since the eye is still healilng.
Today I had the 1 month exam. An optomitrist came into the room first and examined my eye, and he said, cornea is fine, lens is fine, BUT you have wrinkles on the posterior capsule that would definitely cause the streaks I'm seeing. He said it happens and they can treat with the YAG laser. Then the surgeon came in and looked in my eye and agreed, there were wrinkles and treatment with the YAG laser is the remedy, BUT she said, it is not recommended until 3 months after the surgery for two reasons 1) to make sure the lens is resting in its final place post-op, and 2) the small chance of RETINAL DETACHMENT is even less after waiting at least 3 months. So OF COURSE I will wait.
With that, I was relieved that they saw a reason for the streaks and light glare in the eye, and I am comforted that they will fix it.

Now that I read this forum, I realize it is not uncommon to have this problem. Honestly, I believed the surgeon scratched the lens during the surgical procedure, then I thought, unlikely. UNTIL I read a post below that the surgeon admitted he DID do that. Dang!
I will know the truth AFTER the YAG laser treatment on June 8, 2021. If the streaks are gone, awesome, it was wrinkles on the capsule. If the streaks are still there, then the lens must be the culprit. But again, two doctors looked at the lens in the microscope and said it looked perfect. Wait and see.

If your surgeion is not offering a solution, find another one ASAP, is my suggestion.
Jan 25, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Seems like it’s caused by the lens used more than anything else
by: Anonymous

I just had cataract surgery in one of my eyes two weeks ago, doing the other one two weeks from now. I found this page because I too am dealing with light streaks and the "starburst effect" from bright lights such as car headlights. Here’s what I was able to dig up so far. I think many will find it interesting
.
https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/dysphotopsia-not-just-black-and-white
Jan 28, 2020
Rating
starstarstar 		After 2 explants, wlll need YAG for folds
by: ARKW52

I had the Symfony MIOL lens implanted at my 3/19 and 4/19 cataract surgeries. The starbursts in both eyes were a really big problem and I needed to have them explanted. After the first explant, I immediately experienced night time light streaks from folds in the capsule just as debilitating as the starbursts. I was pretty upset; I was told I had to have a YAG treatment which is not risk-free. I Haven't had that YAG yet but went ahead with the second explant which left me with more folds in that eye. I can't help but ask myself if I would have these folds if I did not select the Symfony lens to begin with and just had the monofocal Acrysof lens I now have implanted. I don't trust anything I read or hear from my medical providers.
Jan 28, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Light streaks
by: Anonymous

After my final check up on my cataract surgery, which they dilated my pupils and did a pressure test. Since then I have had the light streaks coming from headlights and even traffic lights at night. Apparently it's called the Maddox effect. It is recommended to use eye drops 4 times a day. Get a generic brand otherwise you will pay a lot. Publix carries its own brand.
Jan 28, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Light streaks
by: Anonymous

After my final check up on my cataract surgery, which they dilated my pupils and did a pressure test. Since then I have had the light streaks coming from headlights and even traffic lights at night. Apparently it's called the Maddox effect. It is recommended to use eye drops 4 times a day. Get a generic brand otherwise you will pay a lot. Publix carries its own brand.
Nov 30, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Get at least a second opinion before making any surgical decisions!
by: Carol Sidofsky

Since your ophthalmologist (actual eye doc) doesn't really know what you mean, I urge you to get at least a second opinion, by another eye doctor (ophthalmologist) who DOES understand what you are seeing, (lines of light) when bright lights are in front of you.

Find out what exactly is going on with your eyesight. Fore-sight is better than hind-sight!

Good luck, and do read all the comments below!

Sincerely, Carol Sidofsky
cell: 970-531-5000
Nov 30, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Streaks of light from cataracts?
by: Anonymous

I have beginning cataracts but my only problem is that I see streaks of light when looking into bright lights. My ophthalmologist said he did not know what I meant but any sight distortion can be caused by cataracts. I wonder if I have a different problem and he just wants to do the surgery. Anyone have this problem before cataract surgery?
Nov 20, 2019
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starstarstar 		Some say 1 in 6 have need for YAG surgery after cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

I was told today I need to have this done (3 weeks after surgery) in 3 months after the eye has few months to heal. Sometimes there is a bit of tissue that accumulates, other times as in my case the materials the implanted lens is made of helps cause a fold or wrinkle to form in the post capsular area behind the new implant & that causes the very lengthy light streaks. You truly are worse off for night driving from the situation caused by the surgery. A truthful doctor will admit this and schedule laser surgery after the eye has had time to heal. Each time they go into the eye there is a chance of infection & of course retinal detachment. 1 in a few 1000 mine said when I asked. I would push for a truthful answer from your doctor. Then you will have to decide how important trying for clear sighted night driving is for you. Some websites also estimate 1 in 5 are left with dysphotopsia, arcing lights in the peripheral vision caused by the type of edges & material the implanted lens is made from. That part doesn't clear up.
Nov 06, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Get a second opinion!
by: Bruce

I had cataract surgery, and there was a problem during the surgery, where the soft lense was scratched by the metal dispenser. It supposedly is quite rare, but it happens. My surgeon was honest and she later redid the surgery in that eye. It has been a year and I do see some streaks at night, especially from certain high-intensity headlights, but my night vision is much improved.

I have heard from others that not all surgeons will admit to a problem resulting from the surgery and some may not even recognize a problem that exists.

I strongly urge that people with post surgery issues seek an opinion from another surgeon. It is a nuisance, but your quality of life is at stake.
Nov 06, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Streaks of light after cataract surgert
by: Anonymous

How soon after cataract surgery can you have a YAG for folds in the posterior capsule? This eye was done 5 days ago and I am supposed to have cataract surgery on my other eye in about 1 -1/2 weeks, and am hesitant to do so until this problem is fixed. Thanks
Nov 05, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Streak of Light
by: Anonymous

I had a multifocal lens removed because I was experiencing huge starbursts from dusk to dawn. Then lens was replaced with a monofocal lens. Day after that surgery the Starbursts in that eye had turned into streaks of light, longer than the starbursts. Doc wants to do a "YAG" procedure because there are folds in the eye capsule,folds that got there during the surgery to remove the bad lens. Maybe there are "folds" in your eye capsule.
Nov 05, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Check your Vitamin D3 levels & read all comments here:
by: Anonymous

If you take the time to read ALL the comments below, you'll find that for some of us, taking Vitamin D3, orally (by mouth), due to our being low in our Vitamin D3 levels (found from blood testing), seems to FIX the problem of WRINKLING of the lens CAPSULES, which wrinkling was caused by the cataract surgery--removal of our cloudy lenses, and then putting in new artificial lenses into those lens CAPSULES.

I believe it's the WRINKLING of the lens capsules that my eye doc said CAUSED the sunburst types of rays of light coming out of street lights, headlights, etc.

And my theory is that correcting a Vitamin D3 deficiency, plumps up the wrinkled lens CAPSULES, thereby getting rid of the WRINKLES, and thereby getting rid of those unwanted rays of light!

Read ALL the comments below, and see what you and your eye doc think about this.

Sincerely, Carol Sidofsky
cell: 970-531-5000
Nov 05, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Streaks of light after cataract surgery
by: Anonymous

Had cataract surgery 4 days ago and noticed immediately, diagonal streaks coming off of street light and headlights. These streaks are extremely long and bothersome, more than the starburst I saw before surgery. Does anyone have or had these symptoms and have they resolved?
Jul 31, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Light Streaks
by: Anonymous

Two weeks ago I had an EDOF lens removed from my right eye because of starbursts so large I was unable to drive from dusk into the night.
I lived with that lens for 3 months. Now With the new monofocal lens I have streaks of light longer than the starbursts I still have from the EDOF lens in my left eye. I am not low on Vitamin D; recent blood tests from a recent yearly physical say so.
I am so unhappy. When I showed the doc a drawing of my streaks he said he didn't know anything about that. There is enough info on the internet about this condition so I don't know who to trust.
May 11, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		For me, Vitamin D3 (oral) 2,000 I.U. worked better, when it was Progena brand, taken after an oily meal.
by: Carol Sidofsky

Ernest and others,

I tried various brands of Vitamin D3, but none of them agreed with me, until I tried my chiropractor's oral brand that he sells, of very small capsules of Vitamin D3 by Progena, where the excipient (additive/filler in the capsules) was ONLY "rice flour". Rice flour is gluten-free.

And, I take 2 capsules of 1,000 I.U. (total of 2,000 I.U./international units) once a day, with non-icy water, after breakfast, that includes something oily, because oil helps with digestion and absorption of Vitamin D3 (also known as chole-calciferol).

Holler at me, if you have any questions. My cell is 970-531-5000 (and I don't sell anything).

Sincerely, Carol (retired RN/nurse, and always learning new things from trial & error, plus others' experiences)
May 11, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		fixing Vitamin D3 deficiency helped me a lot, after cataract surgery!!!
by: Carol Sidofsky

Hi Ernest,

I have several comments below about how I was able to lessen those annoying lines of light, around headlights, street lights, etc., after I had my own cataracts removed several years ago.

The main thing I did, was to get my blood level checked, for Vitamin D3. I was pretty low in my Vitamin D3 level, so I gradually worked my way up from 1,000 I.U. (international units) of Vitamin D3 a day (orally, with good quality water--not icy cold, and not boiling hot!), to 2,000 I.U. a day, orally (by mouth).

This really was fantastic, in helping to diminish/lessen those annoying lines of light!

Holler at me if you have any questions. My cell phone is 970-531-5000, and I'm in Colorado (used to live back east, many years ago).

Sincerely, Carol Sidofsky (retired nurse/RN, and "been there, done that" regarding light streaks from headlights, streetlights, etc.)
May 11, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		POST SURGERY STREAKS OF LIGHT
by: CINNAMON

I too have streaks of light post cateract surgery in one eye. During the day it doesn't give me a problem, although daylight car lights do have a shimmering effect around them. But at night, the streaks and star effects around car lights are so large that they emanate from the car across to my side of the road causing vision loss of the road ahead. I now feel I am unable to drive at night which I could before surgery. I am taking vitamin D, and have dry eye drops but not sure what else I can do. Any help would be appreciated.
Jun 28, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		fixing Vitamin D3 deficiency helped me a lot, after cataract surgery!!!
by: Carol

I urge you to get your Vitamin D3 levels checked (blood test). If you're low in your Vit. D3 levels, take some Vitamin D3 orally. That's what I did, and it greatly helped decrease rays of light around oncoming headlights at night, etc. See my other comments about this. Sincerely, Carol Sidofsky (cell: 970-531-5000).
Jun 28, 2018
Rating
star 		Eyesight worse after Yag treatment
by: Anonymous

I had cataract surgery on my left eye, after which I had rods going through every bright light at night. My doctor suggested wait awhile to see if it would improve. After 1 year, no change so she did the Yag treatment. Now it's worse. The rods are gone but every bright light has long spikes surrounding it like a fireworks burst. The brighter the light, the longer the spikes extend outward. Doctor is lost as to why this occurred or any solution. Searched online for suggestions but no results. Will not have surgery on my other eye for fear I may get same condition. I'm lost...I'm 75, in very good health, never even needed glasses except for reading small print.
Jun 08, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My cataract surgery was done by Dr. Timothy Ammons, in the Denver area, and I am totally pleased with results (took a while):
by: Anonymous

Here's what I wrote in 2015 (3 years ago), and I will write NEW information below my older comment:

Sep 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar Taking 1,000 I.U. of Vitamin D3 helping to decrease those lines around lights!
by: Anonymous [My actual name is Carol Sidofsky]

Once I found that I was low in my Vitamin D3 levels, I began to take 1,000 I.U. (international units) of Vitamin D3 (chole-calciferol), by mouth, once daily, with a meal that has oil or fat in it.

I noticed that after a while, those radiating lines of light around street lights at night, etc., have been decreasing! :-)

So, my advice is to get your Vitamin D3 levels checked by a blood test, and if you're low in your Vitamin D3 levels, try taking 1,000 I.U. of Vitamin D3, daily, and see if this helps!

I buy my Vitamin D3 from my chiropracter, who likes the Progena brand (which has rice flour, not oil in each tiny capsule). So, to help with absorption, I take the Vit. D3 with water, right after a meal containing fat or oil (coconut fat, or olive oil--both organic).

Sincerely, Carol

-------------------------------------

For about a year now (it's June, 2018), I've increased my Vitamin D3 intake, to 2,000 I.U. per day, along with an oily meal.

I must say that the early ill effects of my cataract removal surgery, has GREATLY improved. I really think that getting my Vitamin D3 levels up to normal (they were very low previously) has helped me.

After cataract surgery, colors were not right, but NOW, colors are wonderful, and vibrant, and back to normal.

Bright lines radiating out of oncoming headlights have gone away.

I still have some effects around headlights, but these wiggly circular lights around oncoming headlights, have diminished (lessened) to the point that I don't notice this at all anymore.

I also use Celluvisc eye drops a few times a day, to treat my dry eyes. I use the kind that are individual eye drop "packets" that have NO PRESERVATIVES.

The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) who did my cataract surgery, is Dr. Timothy Ammons, from the Denver area. He was wonderful, and I had no pain whatsoever when I was operated on.

I highly recommend him, and I must say that my vision is better now (with glasses) than it has ever been. Everything is crystal clear, with beautiful colors, so I recommend that anyone with problems who is in the Denver, Colorado area, should go to see Dr. Timothy Ammons. Tell him that I highly recommended him.

Sincerely, Carol Sidofsky (cell: 970-531-5000)
Jun 07, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Light glare at night and anti-glare lenses
by: BruceC

After cataract surgery, I also see light streaks from on-coming headlights. I will have to wear glasses anyway, and that is not a problem. Does anyone know if anti-glare eyeglass lenses can help reduce the intensity of the headlight glare?
Apr 15, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		horizontal light streak from bright light source at night
by: Anonymous

Following intraocular implant for cataract I now see a bright horizontal band of light which emanates from the center of a bright light source and extends from either side of the bright light (i.e. headlight) across my entire field of vision. My opthamologist says this is the first he has seen of this type of side effect. He is hoping it will diminish with time....?
Sep 05, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sunburst light from street lights
by: Anonymous

I had cataract and corrective lens surgery in August. Two weeks later I still cannot drive at night because of huge, sunburst type of light that shoots out from street lights. It is almost like looking at 4th of July fireworks around street lights....very large and distracting in city driving. Car headlights do not give off as large a glare, but am hoping the glare, blurry vision, scratchy eye feeling will go away soon. I am starting to wish I had never had surgery. Vision problems much less before surgery, and definitely won't be having a second surgery on other eye if this one doesn't improve significantly.
Jul 27, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Right eye toric surgery
by: Anonymous

Post-op day #2 from cataract removal of second eye (Toric, non-laser procedure). Experienced vision problem; i.e. multiple diagonal light rays constantly in front of my right eye while driving during daylight hours. Left eye ok.
Jun 12, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Diagnonal lines of light
by: Starman



I also have one eye lens removed for cataract, in my left eye, (with an IOL Monofocal ZCB00) and I too now see those diagonal light rays coming from lights such as headlights, especially at night. Started seeing those lines about 8 hours after surgery.

I asked my eye surgeon the next morning for my first follow up, and he said it was also from post surgery "wrinkles" in my capsular bag.

He also hopes that these diagonal lines of light will decrease over time. At three days they are no better.

Suggested laser could be used if no improvement.

This is my lazy eye with 20/80 vision, was 20/100 before IOL at first test. Scheduled for surgery for my good seeing eye 20/40 in six weeks. But could not bear to have those lines in my dominate eye as I can currently filter out the lines good enough to drive at night with my good eye.
Oct 12, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		my cataract surgery experience
by: Anonymous

I had cataract surgery with implant - the first two days were fine, then I had horizontal rays from a light source. I immediately went on line to your page and read how a gentleman had increased his vit d3 intake. I was taking 2000 mg and upped it 4000 mg per day and within two days, the rays were gone ! When I went to see the doctor a week later, I told him about the rays and he said it was from the "slit" they make - I didn't tell him I increased my vit d3 intake - maybe the "slit" has to heal by closing up and in some people, it doesn't close up - just my thoughts and experience -
Sep 10, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstar 		10 months after cataract surgery
by: Linda G

10-2015 right eye cataract surgery. Blue blocking IOL
Colors are off, contrast is all bleached, I can't focus on anything, diagionised with negative and positive
Light or light colors burn in my vision like someone flashing a camera at me By the end of the day I can hardly see in the dark. Just a few things that have changed my life. It stinks Alcon AcrySof IQ SN60WF
I was 20/20. Now 20/50 Glasses don't help, so I wear a scleral lens and glasses. I've spent more on trying to fix this mess than the surgery And they can't take it out
linda_gary@yahoo.com
Jul 31, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Light source coming from side of operated eye
by: Anonymous

I had cataract removed from both eyes and sight seemed fine for three months. I had a stroke twenty years ago and lost my peripheral vision of the left eye, where now light seems to be coming into my eye making my vision not as it was after the surgery. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience. My ophthamologist is away for a month.
Sep 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Taking 1,000 I.U. of Vitamin D3 helping to decrease those lines around lights!
by: Anonymous

Once I found that I was low in my Vitamin D3 levels, I began to take 1,000 I.U. (international units) of Vitamin D3 (chole-calciferol), by mouth, once daily, with a meal that has oil or fat in it.

I noticed that after a while, those radiating lines of light around street lights at night, etc., have been decreasing! :-)

So, my advice is to get your Vitamin D3 levels checked by a blood test, and if you're low in your Vitamin D3 levels, try taking 1,000 I.U. of Vitamin D3, daily, and see if this helps!

I buy my Vitamin D3 from my chiropracter, who likes the Progena brand (which has rice flour, not oil in each tiny capsule). So, to help with absorption, I take the Vit. D3 with water, right after a meal containing fat or oil (coconut fat, or olive oil--both organic).

Sincerely, Carol
Sep 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Worst decision
by: Anonymous

I had a cataract surgery with toric implant four weeks ago. I have a left to right diagonal stripe coming from every light- indoor, outdoor, day, or night. I cannot drive. I was very active and engaged in athletics, gym, etc. before this experience. I had a small cataract and never should have ruined my quality of life with this procedure. I do not have clear vision at any distance, have increased ocular pressure, and impaired depth perception.
Nov 26, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Diagonal lines/streaks
by: Anonymous

I had cataract surgery recently. Am currently experiencing the diagonal streaks at 45 deg that every tail light, head light, street light seems to cause. Creates quite a light show at night. Hoping it will go away, but research tells me that it does not always go away on its own. Sometimes requires surgical intervention. Not what anyone wants to hear.

It is a form of dysphotopsia. Can be caused by 1. wrinkle or crease in posterior capsule, 2. edge design of IOL, 3. high refractive idea of IOL, 4. remaining astigmatism following surgery (even if you had Toric lens to remove astigmatism), 5. decliner or tilted IOL. Many doctors encourage YAG procedure with laser which punches hole in back of posterior capsule. While YAG often cures the problem, it sometimes does NOT. Once you have had YAG, if you need to have the IOL explanted it will be more complicated and risky. Beware. The opthamology texts I consulted warned not perform YAG if there was any doubt about the cause of the dysphotopsia.

Get a second opinion! Good luck!
Aug 19, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		wrinkles in eye capsule bag cause those diagnonal light lines
by: Carol

I too had eye lens removal for cataract, in my left eye, (with an IOL/intra ocular lens put in--monofocal ZCB00) and I too then saw those diagonal light rays seeming to come from lights such as headlights, especially at night.

I asked my eye surgeon why, and he said it was from post (after) surgery "wrinkles" or "creases" in my capsular bag (that formerly enclosed my own eye's lens).

He hoped these diagonal lines of light would decrease over time, and so far, he's right--it's getting better.

Stay hydrated, in case that might help!

Ask your eye surgeon about this, too, to see what he says.

I also have NEW BAGS under both my eyes, only after the one eye had the cataract removed.

I'm going to ask my eye surgeon why this is, and what I can do about it.

Carol 970-531-5000
Jul 15, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Reply
by: Anonymous

I think what you are describing is what I call the halo effect. I found when driving at night, with street lights on both sides, I had to wear my sun glasses. My surgeon, while saying this effect is rare but not unheard of, has suggested laser surgery as a possible solution. I'm considering it but am gathering opinions...

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