Shimmering in peripheral vision after laser for retinal tear

[JHBrown]

I had a retinal detachment that was repaired via vitrectomy and scleral buckle - the detachment was not in my visual field so the only impact to my vision was the scleral buckle which has been corrected to 20/20 with glasses.

The surgeon found two additional tears post-op and those were addressed via laser.  My question is that 1 week after the laser I see shimmering in the far outside of my peripheral vision- this correlates with the portion of my retina that was lasered, it is very minor and mainly when I stare  - is this a normal side effect of laser?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Yes.

Dr. O.

[emstav]

Hello I know this is an old thread but I have exactly the same situation, 2 months ago I was lasered in my right eye for retinal holes. The next day I had the shimmering in my far out peripheral vision very minor and mainly when I stare. Will it go away or is it permanent?

[Schmazly]

Same for me. I had pneumatic retinopexy and laser 3 weeks ago, and have a shimmering in the bottom corner of my vision. I don't mind it being there, but hope it isn't a symptom of other problems.

[rose911029]

Hi, I noticed you left this comment recently. I had photocoagulation for a tear and am experiencing the shimmering, but it is really affecting my vision particularly when I am in bright artificial light and I am trying to read and concentrate for school. It's been almost four months since I had the laser. I was wondering if this resolved for you?

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[Greenbaypat]

I have this, and feel mine came after cataract surgery.  It hasn't yet gone away, and I don't know if in time the brain learns to ignore it.

[JohnHaganMD]

yes it is a common event. There are many posts about it. Usually it goes away after a variable amount of time, weeks to months. In a very tiny % of people it can be permanent or replaced by an area of dark or blank vision that is 180 degree opposite the treated retina.

[cassidyalexa]

Hi I have the same issue following laser surgery for a retinal hole - I see flickering/shimmering that is brought on by external light and calms down after I am in the dark. It also flashes when I turn a light on/off, so it is definitely not vitreous tugging as it is responding to light changes. What percent of people have this permanently, and what percent does it go away for? What are the reasons for this? Is this just a part of the healing that will resolve in time?

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

Read all these posts and answers.  There are no studies that give an exact % of those that have these symptoms, very few of them are permanent. Discuss with your surgeon..

[cassidyalexa]

Thank you so so much for replying. It has been over 2 months since my surgery and I am in a panic. I have seen no change in intensity or duration. It is definitely brought on by light changes externally, not mechanical pulling.

My surgeon said he doesn’t know what it is. He said he is stumped because I have no traction which was the only explanation he could think of for the flickering.

I can’t find anyone for whom it went away on these sites.

1.Have you seen this go away if it is not from traction but instead from some reaction to light/photoreceptors malfunctioning/new synapses forming?

2.When you say it’s not permanent is that because you learn to ignore it or is it actually because over many months it heals?

3.Is there a chance the dark grey area that I see when it is not flickering slowly become more clear as well?

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

I cannot answer your questions specfically. I have seen many people complain of light spots/flickeering/flickering after both cryo treatment (freeze) or laser (heat).   Some have it some don't, often the light is projected 180 degrees away from the treated spot.  Most patients it has faded over a period of weeks to months.  I am a general ophthalmologist with emphasis on cataract surgery and geriatric ophthalmology. So I don't see as many patients as a retina surgeon does. None of my patients have had a disturbing light reflext post treatment over 9-12 months.

[cassidyalexa]

Hi again, you’re so kind to reply so promptly. My surgeon was a retina specialist but seemed very perplexed, possibly because he is young.

So, just to confirm, you frequently see this light strange phenomenon (without traction thus not vitreous related) in the surgeries you perform for Cryo and laser and you have never seen it persist in over one year?

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

That is a correct statement

[cassidyalexa]

Wow that’s amazing. So there is a very good chance this shimmering spot will completely go away within a year especially since you’ve never seen this issue not resolve?

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

The cases I have seen have cleared. Ask your retina surgeon, his/her experience will greatly exceed mine.

[cassidyalexa]

Thanks. He has never seen this, but he is young, so he must not know of this, is it rare to get shimmering from the laser or do you see it on many of your patients?

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

I've gone as far as I can go with this discussion.

[cassidyalexa]

Sorry. I really appreciate your help. I’ve just had no answers from specialists where I live and on these forums I cannot find any patients confirming it went away so I’ve been really upset. Thank you for your time and let the force be with you.

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

And you also.

[Matt0406]

hi everyone, glad to have found this discussion as it is one of those times that I notice shimmering on my peripheral vision, left eye. hoping its just the anxiety of this pandemic that causes me to feel/see things more than usual.

Sharing my experience to help and hopefully get answers too.

I had vitrectomy, scleral buckle ,laser and IOL transplant done on both eyes, my left eye about 3 years ago and right eye 4 years ago.

Current situation:

Left eye- some blind spots and wavy line. hazy peripheral vision. There are time like now that i see shimmering on my peripheral vision.

Right Eye- macula got detached 5 years ago and I didn't have it operated on for a month.  tunnel vision with a huge blind spot in the middle. there is this constant ceiling fan effect that I can see 24/7 but I guess my brain has gotten used to it.

I had these side-effects since right after my procedures and my doctor always says it is stable so I am thinking what we are all experiencing are the collateral damage to save a significant amount of our vision. they are always there but our brain gets used to it. There are times that make me worry, like bow that I could see the shimmering in my left eye more often.

Usually what I do to make sure that its not a new tear is I go in for an eye examination but unfortunately, I am bot able to do that due to this pandemic, which makes me anxious and worried.

Hopefully you guys could share your own experiences and let me know if there is anything I could do to know if this is a new tear or just one of the usual shimmers I see due to the trauma my eyes took from the procedures.

Thank you everyone.

[JohnHaganMD]

Distortion, blank areas, shimmering or spots are very common after RD surgery and can last indefinitely.  Or they can fade over time.  Having had the surgery you have had the risk of another RD is usually small. What you would want to watch for is any sudden new change or marked worsening of your symptoms.  Or like the original RD flashes, floaters and loss of peripheral vision. there are lots of postings like this on this website.