Reflection in eye of friend who had cataract surgery

[Karensen]

A friend recently had cataract surgery. I notice a different reflection in her eye than before. She had boht eyes done weeks apart. Now that the second eye has been done I see this different reflection in the second eye also. What is it? Thanks

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

=

[Phoenix1988]

Dr Hagan do you know if the J&J tecnis monofocal is less likely to cause reflections in the eye from intraocular lens as compared with the Alcon lenses?   Also, can irregular astigmatism be addressed when cataract surgery is done?  I only have a cataract in one eye and that is the eye that has the most significant irregular astigmatism.  thank you

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

I am not aware of any studies comparing the two.  Most Acrylid IOLs have been modified to reduce refrlections and 'glistenings.    Irregular astigmatism can be addressed usually with laser surgery to the surface of the cornea.  Often this is done before cataract surgery so that IOL power can better be determined. A femtosecond laser is often used.

[MiEsperanza]

I noticed this reflection in my grandfather's eyes after his surgery. I will admit it was mildly disturbing at first because it was unnatural. I knew what his eyes looked like before, and this was not the same. I am nowhere close to getting cataract surgery, I hope, but came here to learn what that reflection is all about so that I can try to avoid it once I'm his age. Glad to hear there are other options that don't reflect so much.

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

=

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

=

[Linty28]

I agree with the people saying that the possibilty of bright reflections are something that need to be disclosed to patients before surgery.

Since surgery my mother has these reflections, in my experience these are not usual to humans, certainly not to her. I have looked into her eyes for over 30 years, long before her cataracts and they never glowed like this. In many light conditions they have an bright glow to the point where people cannot see the iris or pupil reactions properly.

Sociologically humans use eyes to read both the deliberate and instinctive reactions of others e.g. direct eye contact when wishing to engage/bond with someone, or involuntary pupil dilation when expressing fear. So, when iris/pupils are less visable than before, it's not only a 'vanity' issue of an aesthetic change in a loved one's appearance; but an instinctive unsettling feeling, that sometimes they have an unreadable glow where expressive eyes used to be.

Of course medically speaking there's no better time in human history to be alive. We are all massively grateful that people can have their sight restored with such a 'routine' and relatively safe procedure. However to say "well you have a eye twinkle you don't like, but at least you aren't blind" is a strawman fallacy. Rather than studying the issue of why some people/lenses have strong reflections -or more simply and cost effectively systematically informing patients of possibilty of stronger reflections in some types of lenses- people are being dismissed as ungrateful and vain.

This  surgery is usually not optional, but an experience that people must go through to maintain/regain a 'normal' life. If after surgery their life is then interrupted by people regularly pointing out that their eyes are "scary", "freakish" harder to read, then they may not feel they have a 'normal' life.

When some people's lives are clearly affected by their glowing eyes, I find the dismissive nature of some people here hard to understand, especially since this either-or senario could possibly be prevented. People do not need to make the choice between the possibilty of glowing eyes, or blindness;  Of liking it, or lumping it; Of scaring their grandkids or seeing their grandkids; Preparing every patient by simply informing them about lens choice and the possible aesthetic implications, means people can choose to have lenses whose appearance they feel are more 'beautiful' IN ADDITION TO, NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF, the beauty of sight.

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

=

[iLionheart]

Well, now I'm not so happy about joining this site. I have learned that a silicone lens might turn out with less relfection than the crystal lens - so that much I appreciate and will now research more and talk to my MD (who never mentioned it before despite multiple surgical prep visits).

Otherwise, the MD's attitude here that marginalizes a patient's concerns about eye reflections (it's their FACE for God's sake!) - well that's too much for me. It's one thing for non-MDs to not understand how critical and real it can be to the patient, or to be critical or insensitive or curious or just have a different opinion... that's okay - but for an MD to shrug this off and say they should be grateful not to be blind or whatever - that's just wrong. I think I can see the real blind ones here.

And I love those here who have come in seeking not judgement about their "misguided feelings", but rather looking for support and information and maybe even a little empathy and commeraderie.  I'm with you all as much as possible.

[JohnHaganMD]

=