Patchy bleaching of vision following cataract surgery

[mutz511]

I had cataract surgery a week ago and am, in general, very pleased with the outcome.  My vision in that eye is 20/20 with correction.  However I notice that whenever I look at something yellow it appears as though it is mottled white and yellow.  I have also noticed at times a lighter area (almost as though covered by a very light film) in the center of my visual field.  This effect, however, is not always noticeable.  It depends on what I am looking at and is mostly noticeable when I am out of doors looking down.  I had an exam by the ophthamologist who did my surgery today and he apparently saw no problems when looking at my retina, but I regrettably did not mention this symptom to him because, although some aspects of it have been present for several days, I thought it was better.  It was only later today when out walking that I observed the distinctly lighter patch on the ground advancing as I did.  I do have extensive lattice degeneration in that eye but no tears or holes that I am aware of.  I do not experience flashes in that eye and do not see wavy lines when looking at the standard macular-degeneration grid.  How concerned should I be about this?

[mutz511]

Thank you.  

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

This sounds like a mild case of intraoperative photic injury.  The light from the operating microscope is very intense.  After the lens implant is put in the light is focused perfectly on the macula which is the central region of the retina responsible for detailed vision.  Some patients are extremely sensitive to even brief exposure to this focused light and the macula can be 'stressed'.  If the effect is very mild and you have a general feeling that it is improving, likely it will get all the way better over a few weeks, if not sooner.  it is important for you not to "play" with this lighter patch and try deliberately to see it.