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Glaring and Vision problems after eye surgeries

In January 2012, I went to have the floaters removed from my eyes.  I had the right eye done first and then 8 weeks later I had the 2nd eye done.  Most people there were only having 1 eye done but I had both eyes done.  I found out that was a mistake because I had the 2nd eye done before I realized what the complications were going to be from this type of eye surgery.  About 3 ½ months after the 1st surgery I noticed my vision deteriorating and I felt like I was becoming near sighted.  I went to see my optometrist and he told me I had aggressive cataracts which were a common side-effect from the previous surgery to remove the floaters. I was not informed that this could be a complication at all.  My eyes were changing so fast that my optometrist was giving me a new prescription for glasses / contacts every 7 days.  By the time I could get anything done to remove the cataracts, I was considered legally blind.  I was referred to a surgeon to have the cataracts removed but because I had previously had prk laser surgery approximately 20 years ago, he did not feel confident that he could help me so I was referred to another surgeon with more “experience” dealing with patients in my type of situation.  After meeting with this 2nd surgeon, I was given a number of choices concerning the type of replacement lenses I could have implanted – monofocal, bi-focal, or multi-focal.  Multi-focal was much more expense but money wasn’t my issue.  I tried to research what was the best choice for my work and lifestyle but I wasn’t able to find anyone to talk to who actually had the bi-focal lenses or the multi-focal lenses so I had to rely on the advice given by my optometrist and my surgeon.  I was told that 25% of the light doesn’t get into your eye with the multi-focal lenses so this did not seem like a good option for me because I many times work in low light situations and need to see minute details.  Also, when you have cataract, the biggest reason you cannot see is because light doesn’t get through your lens into your eye so this scared me.  If I knew then what I know now, that would not have been a worry what-so-ever and in fact it would be a blessing for the situation I am now in.  The surgeon talked me into getting mono-focal replacement lenses and both he and my optometrist decided that it would be best to try get my best distance vision and then get corrective glasses for near vision.  My first cataract surgery was on my dominant eye (left) but because of the previous PRK surgery, the prescription of the replacement lens was just a guess.  I went to the optometrist after that first cataract surgery and he would not tell me why my vision was so bad and he said I just needed to give it time to heal.  Warning bells should have gone off at that time.  I was also told that I had a secondary cataract in that left eye prior to the surgery on the second eye and again, I was not told that this could be a side-effect of cataract surgery.  Approximately 8 weeks later, I had the other cataract removed and a new lens put in.  Again my vision was not good so I went back to the optometrist about 6 weeks later.  He finally told me the bad news – I was extremely far-sighted in the left eye (+1.75) and +0.50 in the right eye plus I had secondary cataracts in both eyes and still some floaters.  I was referred to a surgeon again to have the Jag laser procedure to correct the secondary cataracts.  I had the procedure done on both eyes at the same time with devastating results.  The result is extreme glare when exposed to any light sources.  Night driving is now impossible.  I was also prescribed glasses with progressive lenses which I could not tolerate.  I now have prescription for bi-focal glasses which cost $1140.  I tried these for a few days and complained that I still couldn’t see and my optometrist just said it takes time to get used to the new glasses – what this really meant was that I had to get used to my terrible vision.  The surgeon who performed the Jag laser procedure said he had never heard of anyone having glaring after this procedure and he didn’t know why it happened.  My eyes are permanently dilated as a side effect of the drops I needed to use after the surgery for the removal of the floaters and this is also causing too much light to enter my eyes.
Is there anybody who can give me any advice to correct my terrible vision and the extreme glaring that I now have?  I am struggling with everyday tasks and have now had to reduce my hours of work because I cannot drive in the dark.  I have constant headaches and eye-strain.
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Avatar universal
Yes, but RSidVP said that after the Yag,
' I had the procedure done on both eyes at the same time with devastating results.  The result is extreme glare when exposed to any light sources.  Night driving is now impossible' the problem was glare.

Glare after Yag might possibly be due to a central chip in the lens (this should not happen if done properly); if it is due to a small opening (a possible scenario) then the solution is easy-a few extra shots with the laser to open it up.

Unfortunately floaters can happen after Yag laser. Commonly they subside as they sink to the bottom of the eyeball and out of the visual axis. But when they don't, and they fly across the vision, they can certainly be annoying/distracting.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There are many reports on this forum of the YAG dramatically worsening vision. I also experienced it myself. The back of the capsule is cut into pieces which stay in the eye. Those pieces are cloudy and can cause light to reflect back. These "floaters" in my eyes from the YAG cause these crazy twirling batons over all light sources when they cross my field of vision, independent of pupil size, so it happens in the daytime too. And if the YAG  opening is smaller than your pupil, it will cause starbursting around all lightsources at night.  
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Avatar universal
First of all, I think there are issues with the health care providers in your area because
1. I do not think what you had done especially with regard to the floaters was ethical and
2. The problems with post PRK/LASIK calculations have been known for many years and there are ways to avoid what happened to your left eye. It should not have happened.
3. Permanently dilated pupils should not happen as a side effect of any eyedrop
4. Yag laser should not cause such a dramatic worsening of vision. Is it possible your lenses have been chipped by the laser?

But with regard to your current problems, I would agree with Anomalychick. Try Pilocarpine or Alphagan (Brimonidine) eyedrops to reduce the size of your pupils. Failing which coloured cosmetic contact lenses with a fixed small pupil will help to cut glare. Contact lenses to correct distance vision (especially +1.75D for your left eye) will help greatly, and you could wear reading glasses on top of the contacts for close up vision.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your pupils are larger than 6mm in the dark you are going to have severe glare issues. Debris floating around in your eyes after the Yag could make it worse. Yag debris may or may not resolve  on its own over time. (Wait a year) If not, a second vitrectomy, if even possible in your case can remove it.

It is possible that can't see well with your glasses because your eyes have different prescriptions. The glasses can cause a difference in image size that you may or may not be able to adjust to.

You can try to use pilocarpine or alphagam drops to make your pupils smaller. This may resolve some of your problem. If your pupils are non responsive, they make cosmetic contact lenses with a fake iris that block out light, giving you a smaller pupil.

Try using contact lenses instead of glasses. You may feel your vision is better than with the bifocals, if the difference in your eyes is causing a problem for you.

You can then use reading glasses, or wear bifocals that have the SAME prescription in each eye over your contact lenses. (Or try multifocal contact lenses)
Helpful - 0
10949559 tn?1414050805
Poor dark vision is a possible sign of progressive cataracts. Other causes are Vitamin A and Zinc deficiency, Sunlight exposure, LASIK surgery problems and Diabetes. With regards to too much light entering your eye, it is due to corneal abrasion and retinal damage. You can ask your eye doctor if what kind of lenses are you going to wear to protect you from too much light exposure. Also, it is important for your eyes to be evaluated for the correct treatment.
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