floaters and night driving

[sus876]

8 years ago I underwent LASIK eye correction at the MDA eye clinic in Cardiff. Although my eye sight has been much improved I suffered from eye floaters in both eyes. Some days, especially when I'm busy, they do not distract me but on others they really frustrate.My eye surgeon stated these floaters were not due to the treatment but were already there beforehand and since the operation have become more apparent. I find this hard to believe. In addition, night driving has become a problem with glare from lights of oncoming cars and lines(streaks) going up and down from the lights. This panics and upsets me and I am wondering if anything can be done about any of these complaints. Any advice on any of these complaints would be so gratefully received. It also annoys me that none of this was pointed out before the LASIK was carried out.

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

Believe your surgeon about the floaters. The same thing happens with cataract surgery ALL the time.

Floaters would not cause problems with night vision. You may need a change of glasses or glasses for night driving. You may be developing cataracts as night glare and driving problems is often the first symptom. You could have some irregular corneal astigmatism

Have your eyes examined by an eye MD. Include a careful refraction (glasses test), a corneal topography and a dilated pupil exam of the eye especially the lens.

JCH MD

[sus876]

Thanks for your advice only these complaints have only been apparent since the surgery. If this is so what could have happened to have caused them?

[Robeil]

I have floaters too, I have had them forever since I am a little girl, I am 54 now... My eye specialist says they are hereditary, and my mom does have them... Some days they are bad and other days I don't see them at all, my doctor said that they pool in the corner of your eyes that's why some days they are better than others... I have one that floats sometimes that when I look left it goes right and when I look right it goes left, very annoying...but I've gotten used to them... Believe your doc when he says the operation was not the cause of them...

Now for your night driving halos I have heard that they can be caused by the Lazik surgery, that is one of the side effects of the surgery, as is sensitivity to light during the day...

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

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[robertcro]

Hey, I have a question about night driving and glasses, after I had laser to seal some small tears and holes, my eye developed a little glare and halo effects around street lights and car lights... So, I found this glasses for night driving... http://www.polarizedoptics.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=221
Are they good, or should I buy some "name" glasses with quality, or is it the same, I have 20/20 vision, so no dioptre is needed.

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

I know nothing about the lab or that brand of glasses. Even if you have 20/20 vision you could have a small amount of residual myopia or astigmatism that might be helpful for night driving.    Whether polarized, anti-reflective or amber colored lens would hlep you I can't say.

JCH MD